Last data update: Sep 16, 2024. (Total: 47680 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 35 Records) |
Query Trace: Mobley A [original query] |
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Outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients receiving organs from a donor with Fusarium solani species complex meningitis
Griffin IS , Smith DJ , Annambhotla P , Gold JAW , Ostrosky-Zeichner L , Kauffman CA , Gade L , Litvintseva A , Friedman DZ , Nishio Lucar AG , Parpia TC , Lieberman J , Bujan J , Corkrean J , Divatia MK , Grimes K , Lin J , Mobley C , Schwartz MR , Hannawi B , Malilay A , O'Boye A , Lysne J , Subramani MV , Heckmann H , Servellita V , Chiu C , Basavaraju SV . Transpl Infect Dis 2024 e14331 BACKGROUND: Five organs (heart, right lung, liver, right, and left kidneys) from a deceased patient were transplanted into five recipients in four US states; the deceased patient was identified as part of a healthcare-associated fungal meningitis outbreak among patients who underwent epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico. METHODS: After transplant surgeries occurred, Fusarium solani species complex, a fungal pathogen with a high case-mortality rate, was identified in cerebrospinal fluid from the organ donor by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and fungal-specific polymerase chain reaction and in plasma by mNGS. RESULTS: Four of five transplant recipients received recommended voriconazole prophylaxis; four were monitored weekly by serum (1-3)-β-d-glucan testing. All five were monitored for signs of infection for at least 3 months following transplantation. The liver recipient had graft failure, which was attributed to an etiology unrelated to fungal infection. No fungal DNA was identified in sections of the explanted liver, suggesting that F. solani species complex did not contribute to graft failure. The remaining recipients experienced no signs or symptoms suggestive of fusariosis. CONCLUSION: Antifungal prophylaxis may be useful in preventing donor-derived infections in recipients of organs from donors that are found to have Fusarium meningitis. |
Human Orthohantavirus disease prevalence and genotype distribution in the U.S., 2008–2020: a retrospective observational study
Whitmer SLM , Whitesell A , Mobley M , Talundzic E , Shedroff E , Cossaboom CM , Messenger S , Deldari M , Bhatnagar J , Estetter L , Zufan S , Cannon D , Chiang CF , Gibbons A , Krapiunaya I , Morales-Betoulle M , Choi M , Knust B , Amman B , Montgomery JM , Shoemaker T , Klena JD . Lancet Reg Health - Am 2024 37 Background: In the United States (U.S.), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and non-HPS hantavirus infection are nationally notifiable diseases. Criteria for identifying human cases are based on clinical symptoms (HPS or non-HPS) and acute diagnostic results (IgM+, rising IgG+ titers, RT-PCR+, or immunohistochemistry (IHC)+). Here we provide an overview of diagnostic testing and summarize human Hantavirus disease occurrence and genotype distribution in the U.S. from 2008 to 2020. Methods: Epidemiological data from the national hantavirus registry was merged with laboratory diagnostic testing results performed at the CDC. Residual hantavirus-positive specimens were sequenced, and the available epidemiological and genetic data sets were linked to conduct a genomic epidemiological study of hantavirus disease in the U.S. Findings: From 1993 to 2020, 833 human hantavirus cases have been identified, and from 2008 to 2020, 335 human cases have occurred. Among New World (NW) hantavirus cases detected at the CDC diagnostic laboratory (representing 29.2% of total cases), most (85.0%) were detected during acute disease, however, some convalescent cases were detected in states not traditionally associated with hantavirus infections (Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Vermont). From 1993 to 2020, 94.9% (745/785) of U.S. hantaviruses cases were detected west of the Mississippi with 45.7% (359/785) in the Four Corners region of the U.S. From 2008 to 2020, 67.7% of NW hantavirus cases were detected between the months of March and August. Sequencing of RT-PCR-positive cases demonstrates a geographic separation of Orthohantavirus sinnombreense species [Sin Nombre virus (SNV), New York virus, and Monongahela virus]; however, there is a large gap in viral sequence data from the Northwestern and Central U.S. Finally, these data indicate that commercial IgM assays are not concordant with CDC-developed assays, and that “concordant positive” (i.e., commercial IgM+ and CDC IgM+ results) specimens exhibit clinical characteristics of hantavirus disease. Interpretation: Hantaviral disease is broadly distributed in the contiguous U.S, viral variants are localised to specific geographic regions, and hantaviral disease infrequently detected in most Southeastern states. Discordant results between two diagnostic detection methods highlight the need for an improved standardised testing plan in the U.S. Hantavirus surveillance and detection will continue to improve with clearly defined, systematic reporting methods, as well as explicit guidelines for clinical characterization and diagnostic criteria. Funding: This work was funded by core funds provided to the Viral Special Pathogens Branch at CDC. © 2024 |
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus diversity and reassortment, Pakistan, 2017-2020
Umair M , Rehman Z , Whitmer S , Mobley M , Fahim A , Ikram A , Salman M , Montgomery JM , Klena JD . Emerg Infect Dis 2024 30 (4) 654-664 Sporadic cases and outbreaks of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) have been documented across Pakistan since 1976; however, data regarding the diversity of CCHF virus (CCHFV) in Pakistan is sparse. We whole-genome sequenced 36 CCHFV samples collected from persons infected in Pakistan during 2017-2020. Most CCHF cases were from Rawalpindi (n = 10), followed by Peshawar (n = 7) and Islamabad (n = 4). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the Asia-1 genotype was dominant, but 4 reassorted strains were identified. Strains with reassorted medium gene segments clustered with Asia-2 (n = 2) and Africa-2 (n = 1) genotypes; small segment reassortments clustered with the Asia-2 genotype (n = 2). Reassorted viruses showed close identity with isolates from India, Iran, and Tajikistan, suggesting potential crossborder movement of CCHFV. Improved and continuous human, tick, and animal surveillance is needed to define the diversity of circulating CCHFV strains in Pakistan and prevent transmission. |
Pregnancy and infant outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy during Delta variant predominance - surveillance for emerging threats to pregnant people and infants: Pregnancy and infant outcomes during SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant predominance
Reeves EL , Neelam V , Carlson JM , Olsen EO , Fox CJ , Woodworth KR , Nestoridi E , Mobley E , Montero Castro S , Dzimira P , Sokale A , Sizemore L , Hall AJ , Ellington S , Cohn A , Gilboa SM , Tong VT . Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023 6 (2) 101265 BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, stillbirth, and maternal and infant complications. Previous research suggests an increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and stillbirth in pregnant people during delta variant predominance in 2021; however, those studies did not assess timing of infection during pregnancy, and few of them described COVID-19 vaccination status. OBJECTIVE: Using a large population-based cohort, this study compared pregnancy and infant outcomes and described demographic and clinical characteristics of pregnant people with SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to and during the delta variant period. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort analysis included persons with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy from 6 US jurisdictions reporting to the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Pregnant People and Infants Network. Data were collected through case reports of polymerase chain reaction-positive pregnant persons and linkages to birth certificates, fetal death records, and immunization records. We described clinical characteristics and compared frequency of spontaneous abortion (<20 weeks of gestation), stillbirth (≥20 weeks), preterm birth (<37 weeks), small for gestational age, and term infant neonatal intensive care unit admission between the time periods of pre-delta and delta variant predominance. Study time periods were determined by when variants constituted more than 50% of sequences isolated according to regional SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance data, with time periods defined for pre-delta (March 3, 2020-June 25, 2021) and Delta (June 26, 2021-December 25, 2021). Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated for each outcome measure using Poisson regression and were adjusted for continuous maternal age, race and ethnicity, and insurance status at delivery. RESULTS: Among 57,563 pregnancy outcomes, 57,188 (99.3%) were liveborn infants, 65 (0.1%) were spontaneous abortions, and 310 (0.5%) were stillbirths. Most pregnant persons were unvaccinated at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a higher proportion in pre-delta (99.4%) than in the delta period (78.4%). Of those with infections during delta and who were previously vaccinated, the timing from last vaccination to infection was a median of 183 days. Compared to pre-delta, infections during delta were associated with a higher frequency of stillbirths (0.7% vs 0.4%; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.09) and preterm births (12.8% vs 11.9%; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.20). The delta period was associated with a lower frequency of neonatal intensive care unit admission (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.82) than in the pre-delta period. During the delta period, infection during the third trimester was associated with a higher frequency of preterm birth (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.56) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.45) compared to the first and second trimester combined. CONCLUSION: In this US-based cohort of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, the majority were unvaccinated, and frequencies of stillbirth and preterm birth were higher during the delta variant predominance period than in the pre-delta period. During the delta period, frequency of preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit admission was higher among infections occurring in the third trimester vs those earlier in pregnancy. These findings demonstrate population-level increases of adverse fetal and infant outcomes, specifically in the presence of a COVID-19 variant with more severe presentation. |
Measuring Success: Disease Intervention Specialists Performance Metrics and Outcome Assessments
Cope AB , Mobley VL , Samoff E . Sex Transm Dis 2023 50 S18-s22 Disease intervention specialists (DIS) are the cornerstone of public health. However, the incremental gains of DIS-led interventions are difficult to detect at the population level. Health departments attempt to quantify the impact of key DIS activities through performance measures that assess how many and how quickly both patients are interviewed, and contacts are notified, tested, and treated. However, DIS work encompasses more than case finding and existing performance measures may not capture the full value DIS provide to health departments. In this article, we first describe how DIS investigations and contact tracing are conducted for sexually transmitted diseases and other communicable diseases to understand how the definition of effectiveness may vary by disease. Then, we examine the benefits and limitations of traditional performance measures using syphilis investigations as an example. Recognizing the limits of existing measures will improve our understanding of DIS impact and assist in the development of new measures of effectiveness that better represent the totality of DIS work. |
Ten Years of Disseminated Gonococcal Infections in North Carolina: A Review of Cases From a Large Tertiary Care Hospital
Sciaudone M , Cope A , Mobley V , Samoff E , Seña AC . Sex Transm Dis 2023 50 (7) 410-414 BACKGROUND: The detection and reporting of disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) has been increasing across the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of DGI case-patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 at a large tertiary care hospital in North Carolina. RESULTS: We identified 12 DGI case-patients (7 men and 5 women, aged 20 to 44 years), of whom 5 had Neisseria gonorrheae isolated from a sterile site (confirmed), 2 had N. gonorrheae detected at a nonsterile mucosal site and had clinical manifestations consistent with DGI (probable), and 5 did not have N. gonorrheae isolated from any site, but DGI was the most likely diagnosis (suspect). Among the 12 DGI case-patients, the most common manifestation was arthritis or tenosynovitis (n = 11); 1 patient had endocarditis. Half of the patients had significant underlying comorbidities or predisposing factors, including complement deficiency. Eleven of the 12 case-patients were hospitalized, and 4 required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This case series highlights the difficulty of making a definitive diagnosis of DGI, which could negatively affect reporting to public health authorities and hinder surveillance efforts to determine the true prevalence of DGI. A high index of suspicion is required, and a full diagnostic workup should be pursued in all cases of suspected DGI. |
HantaNet: A new microbetrace application for hantavirus classification, genomic surveillance, epidemiology and outbreak investigations
Cintron R , Whitmer SLM , Moscoso E , Campbell EM , Kelly R , Talundzic E , Mobley M , Chiu KW , Shedroff E , Shankar A , Montgomery JM , Klena JD , Switzer WM . Viruses 2023 15 (11) Hantaviruses zoonotically infect humans worldwide with pathogenic consequences and are mainly spread by rodents that shed aerosolized virus particles in urine and feces. Bioinformatics methods for hantavirus diagnostics, genomic surveillance and epidemiology are currently lacking a comprehensive approach for data sharing, integration, visualization, analytics and reporting. With the possibility of hantavirus cases going undetected and spreading over international borders, a significant reporting delay can miss linked transmission events and impedes timely, targeted public health interventions. To overcome these challenges, we built HantaNet, a standalone visualization engine for hantavirus genomes that facilitates viral surveillance and classification for early outbreak detection and response. HantaNet is powered by MicrobeTrace, a browser-based multitool originally developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to visualize HIV clusters and transmission networks. HantaNet integrates coding gene sequences and standardized metadata from hantavirus reference genomes into three separate gene modules for dashboard visualization of phylogenetic trees, viral strain clusters for classification, epidemiological networks and spatiotemporal analysis. We used 85 hantavirus reference datasets from GenBank to validate HantaNet as a classification and enhanced visualization tool, and as a public repository to download standardized sequence data and metadata for building analytic datasets. HantaNet is a model on how to deploy MicrobeTrace-specific tools to advance pathogen surveillance, epidemiology and public health globally. |
Detection of Hantavirus during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Arizona, USA, 2020
Hecht G , Dale AP , Ruberto I , Adame G , Close R , Snyder SJ , Pink K , Lemmon N , Rudolfo J , Madsen M , Wiens AL , Cossaboom C , Shoemaker T , Choi MJ , Cannon D , Krapiunaya I , Whitmer S , Mobley M , Talundzic E , Klena JD , Venkat H . Emerg Infect Dis 2023 29 (8) 1663-1667 We identified 2 fatal cases of persons infected with hantavirus in Arizona, USA, 2020; 1 person was co-infected with SARS-CoV-2. Delayed identification of the cause of death led to a public health investigation that lasted ≈9 months after their deaths, which complicated the identification of a vector or exposure. |
SARS-CoV-2 During Omicron Variant Predominance Among Infants Born to People With SARS-CoV-2.
Gosdin L , Chang D , Olsen EO , Lewis EL , Wingate H , Ojo KD , Shephard H , Sokale A , Mobley EL , Delgado-López C , Hall AJ , Gilboa SM , Tong VT , Woodworth KR . Pediatrics 2023 151 (5) SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to evolve, resulting in variants with properties that can affect transmissibility and/or severity.1 The period of Omicron variant predominance has been associated with increased transmissibility but lower severity in the general population.2,3 However, studies have shown increases in hospitalizations among infants when comparing the period of Omicron predominance to previous periods.4,5 SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can impart anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to infants, but antibody levels quickly wane during the first 6 months.6 Analyses of the pre-Omicron period showed low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among infants aged 0 to 6 months born to people with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.7 Infants 0 to 6 months are the only group with no COVID-19 vaccine authorized. Our objective was to understand the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection before and during the period of Omicron variant predominance among infants born to people with infection during pregnancy and whether the period of maternal infection affects infant susceptibility. |
Pregnancy and infant outcomes by trimester of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy-SET-NET, 22 jurisdictions, January 25, 2020-December 31, 2020.
Neelam V , Reeves EL , Woodworth KR , O'Malley Olsen E , Reynolds MR , Rende J , Wingate H , Manning SE , Romitti P , Ojo KD , Silcox K , Barton J , Mobley E , Longcore ND , Sokale A , Lush M , Delgado-Lopez C , Diedhiou A , Mbotha D , Simon W , Reynolds B , Hamdan TS , Beauregard S , Ellis EM , Seo JY , Bennett A , Ellington S , Hall AJ , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Tong VT , Gilboa SM . Birth Defects Res 2022 115 (2) 145-159 OBJECTIVES: We describe clinical characteristics, pregnancy, and infant outcomes in pregnant people with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by trimester of infection. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network and included people with infection in 2020, with known timing of infection and pregnancy outcome. Outcomes are described by trimester of infection. Pregnancy outcomes included live birth and pregnancy loss (<20 weeks and ≥20 weeks gestation). Infant outcomes included preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation), small for gestational age, birth defects, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated for pregnancy and selected infant outcomes by trimester of infection, controlling for demographics. RESULTS: Of 35,200 people included in this analysis, 50.8% of pregnant people had infection in the third trimester, 30.8% in the second, and 18.3% in the first. Third trimester infection was associated with a higher frequency of preterm birth compared to first or second trimester infection combined (17.8% vs. 11.8%; aPR 1.44 95% CI: 1.35-1.54). Prevalence of birth defects was 553.4/10,000 live births, with no difference by trimester of infection. CONCLUSIONS: There were no signals for increased birth defects among infants in this population relative to national baseline estimates, regardless of timing of infection. However, the prevalence of preterm birth in people with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy in our analysis was higher relative to national baseline data (10.0-10.2%), particularly among people with third trimester infection. Consequences of COVID-19 during pregnancy support recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination. |
Preterm birth among pregnant persons with severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection.
Newton SM , Reeves EL , O'Malley Olsen E , Woodworth KR , Farr SL , Galang RR , Reynolds MR , Harvey E , Shi J , Nestoridi E , Barton J , Ngo VP , Lush M , Longcore ND , Dzimira P , Im LK , Sokale A , Siebman S , Delgado López C , Chen T , Mobley EL , Khuwaja S , Romitti PA , Fredette C , Ellis EM , Silcox K , Hall AJ , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Gilboa SM , Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Tong VT . J Perinatol 2022 42 (10) 1-10 OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between trimester of SARS-CoV-2 infection, illness severity, and risk for preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data for 6336 pregnant persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 in the United States. Risk ratios for preterm birth were calculated for illness severity, trimester of infection, and illness severity stratified by trimester of infection adjusted for age, selected underlying medical conditions, and pregnancy complications. RESULT: Pregnant persons with critical COVID-19 or asymptomatic infection, compared to mild COVID-19, in the second or third trimester were at increased risk of preterm birth. Pregnant persons with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 did not show increased risk of preterm birth in any trimester. CONCLUSION: Critical COVID-19 in the second or third trimester was associated with increased risk of preterm birth. This finding can be used to guide prevention strategies, including vaccination, and inform clinical practices for pregnant persons. |
SARS-CoV-2 infections among neonates born to pregnant people with SARS-CoV-2 infection: Maternal, pregnancy and birth characteristics.
Olsen EO , Roth NM , Aveni K , Santos P , Sizemore L , Halai UA , Nestoridi E , Barton JE , Mobley E , Siebman S , Fussman C , Mbotha D , Dzimira P , Silcox KM , Khuwaja S , Roscom D , Lush M , Chicchelly S , Delgado-López C , Schlosser L , Read J , Ellington SR , Hall AJ , Gilboa SM , Tong VT , Woodworth KR . Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022 36 (4) 476-484 BACKGROUND: Multiple reports have described neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, including likely in utero transmission and early postnatal infection, but published estimates of neonatal infection range by geography and design type. OBJECTIVES: To describe maternal, pregnancy and neonatal characteristics among neonates born to people with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy by neonatal SARS-CoV-2 testing results. METHODS: Using aggregated data from the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET) describing infections from 20 January 2020 to 31 December 2020, we identified neonates who were (1) born to people who were SARS-CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR at any time during their pregnancy, and (2) tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR during the birth hospitalisation. RESULTS: Among 28,771 neonates born to people with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, 3816 (13%) underwent PCR testing and 138 neonates (3.6%) were PCR positive. Ninety-four per cent of neonates testing positive were born to people with infection identified ≤14 days of delivery. Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was more frequent among neonates born preterm (5.7%) compared to term (3.4%). Neonates testing positive were born to both symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant people. CONCLUSIONS: Jurisdictions reported SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results for only 13% of neonates known to be born to people with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. These results provide evidence of neonatal infection identified through multi-state systematic surveillance data collection and describe characteristics of neonates with SARS-CoV-2 infection. While perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was uncommon among tested neonates born to people with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, nearly all cases of tested neonatal infection occurred in pregnant people infected around the time of delivery and was more frequent among neonates born preterm. These findings support the recommendation for neonatal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing, especially for people with acute infection around the time of delivery. |
Prenatal Syphilis Screening Among Medicaid Enrollees in 6 Southern States
Lanier P , Kennedy S , Snyder A , Smith J , Napierala E , Talbert J , Hammerslag L , Humble L , Myers E , Austin A , Blount T , Dowler S , Mobley V , Fede AL , Nguyen H , Bruce J , Grijalva CG , Krishnan S , Otter C , Horton K , Seiler N , Majors J , Pearson WS . Am J Prev Med 2022 62 (5) 770-776 INTRODUCTION: The rates of syphilis among pregnant women and infants have increased in recent years, particularly in the U.S. South. Although state policies require prenatal syphilis testing, recent screening rates comparable across Southern states are not known. The purpose of this study is to measure syphilis screening among Medicaid enrollees with delivery in states in the U.S. South. METHODS: A total of 6 state-university research partnerships in the U.S. South developed a distributed research network to analyze Medicaid claims data using a common analytic approach for enrollees with delivery in fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (combined N=504,943). In 2020-2021, each state calculated the percentage of enrollees with delivery with a syphilis screen test during the first trimester, third trimester, and at any point during pregnancy. Percentages for those with first-trimester enrollment were compared with the percentages of those who enrolled in Medicaid later in pregnancy. RESULTS: Prenatal syphilis screening during pregnancy ranged from 56% to 91%. Screening was higher among those enrolled in Medicaid during the first trimester than in those enrolled later in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite state laws requiring syphilis screening during pregnancy, screening was much lower than 100%, and states varied in syphilis screening rates among Medicaid enrollees. Findings indicate that access to Medicaid in the first trimester is associated with higher rates of syphilis screening and that efforts to improve access to screening in practice settings are needed. |
Enhancing Gonococcal Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Cisgender Women, Strengthening the US Response to Resistant Gonorrhea, 2018 to 2019
Wendel KA , Mauk K , Amsterdam L , McNeil CJ , Pfister JR , Mobley V , Mettenbrink C , Nishiyama M , Terrell E , Baldwin T , Pham CD , Nash EE , Kirkcaldy RD , Schlanger K . Sex Transm Dis 2021 48 S104-s110 BACKGROUND: Cisgender women have been underrepresented in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea (ARGC) surveillance systems. Three of 8 project sites (City of Milwaukee [MIL], Guilford County [GRB], Denver County [DEN]), funded under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Strengthening the US Response to Resistant Gonorrhea (SURRG), focused efforts to better include cisgender women in ARGC surveillance. METHODS: MIL, GRB, and DEN partnered with diverse health care settings and developed gonorrhea culture criteria to facilitate urogenital specimen collection in cisgender women and men. Regional laboratories within the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network performed agar dilution antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of gonococcal isolates. Data from 2018 and 2019 were analyzed. RESULTS: In SURRG, 90.5% (11,464 of 12,667) of the cisgender women from whom urogenital culture specimens were collected were from MIL, GRB, and DEN. Of women in SURRG whose gonococcal isolates underwent AST, 70% were from these 3 sites. In these 3 sites, a substantial proportion of cisgender women with positive urogenital cultures and AST were from health care settings other than sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics (non-STD clinics; MIL, 56.0%; GRB, 80.4%; and DEN, 23.5%). Isolates with AST were obtained from 5.1%, 10.2%, and 2.4% of all diagnosed gonorrhea cases among cisgender women in MIL, GRB, and DEN, respectively, and were more often susceptible to all antibiotics than those from cisgender men from each of these sites. CONCLUSIONS: With focused efforts and partnerships with non-STD clinics, 3 SURRG sites were able to include robust ARGC surveillance from cisgender women. These findings may guide further efforts to improve gender equity in ARGC surveillance. |
Beyond disease intervention: Exploring an expanded role for partner services in the MATRix-NC Demonstration Project
Hurt CB , Morrison AS , Guy J , Mobley VL , Dennis AM , Barrington C , Samoff E , Hightow-Weidman LB , McNeil CJ , Carry MG , Hogben M , Seña AC . Sex Transm Dis 2021 49 (2) 93-98 BACKGROUND: Disease intervention specialists (DIS) provide partner services (PS) for sexually transmitted infections (STI). We assessed an expansion of DIS services for clients with HIV and/or syphilis, and contacts within their social and sexual networks. METHODS: Black and Latinx cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men diagnosed with HIV and/or syphilis in four urban North Carolina (NC) counties were referred to designated DIS, who were trained to recruit clients as "seeds" for chain-referral sampling of sociosexual network "peers." All received HIV/STI testing and care; referrals for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and social, behavioral, and non-STI medical services were offered. Participants completed baseline, 1 month, and 3 month computerized surveys. RESULTS: Of 213 cases referred to DIS from May 2018 to February 2020, 42 seeds (25 with syphilis, 17 with HIV) and 50 peers participated. Median age was 27 years; 93% were Black and 86% were cisgender men. Most peers came from seeds' social networks: 66% were friends, 20% were relatives, and 38% were cisgender women. Incomes were low, 41% were uninsured, and 10% experienced recent homelessness. More seeds than peers had baseline PrEP awareness; attitudes were favorable but utilization was poor. Thirty-seven participants were referred for PrEP 50 times; 17 (46%) accessed PrEP by month 3. Thirty-nine participants received 129 non-PrEP referrals, most commonly for housing assistance, primary care, Medicaid navigation, and food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Chain-referral sampling from PS clients allowed DIS to access persons with significant medical and social service needs, demonstrating that DIS can support marginalized communities beyond STI intervention. |
A methodological approach for evaluating the Enterprise Community Healthy Start Program in Rural Georgia: An analysis using linked PRAMS, birth records and program data
Vladutiu CJ , Mobley SC , Ji X , Thomas S , Kandasamy V , Sutherland D , Inglett S , Li R , Cox S . Matern Child Health J 2021 25 (10) 1516-1525 INTRODUCTION: Community Healthy Start program evaluations are often limited by a lack of robust data and rigorous study designs. This study describes an enhanced methodological approach using local program data linked with existing population-level datasets for external comparison to evaluate the Enterprise Community Healthy Start (ECHS) program in two rural Georgia counties and presents results from the evaluation. METHODS: ECHS program data were linked to birth records and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 869 women who delivered a live birth in Burke and McDuffie counties from 2010 to 2011. Multivariate logistic regressions with and without propensity score methods modeled the association between ECHS participation and maternal health indicators and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: 107 ECHS participants and 726 non-participants responded to PRAMS and met eligibility criteria. Compared with non-participants, ECHS participants were younger, completed fewer years of education, and were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, unmarried, insured with Medicaid, participating in WIC, and having an unintended pregnancy. Models with and without propensity score weighting derived similar results: there was a positive association between ECHS participation and receiving adequate or adequate plus prenatal care (p < 0.05); no statistically significant associations were observed between ECHS participation and any other health behaviors, health care access and utilization measures or pregnancy outcomes. DISCUSSION: Rigorous evaluation of a local Healthy Start program using linked PRAMS and birth records with a population-based external comparison group and propensity score methods is an enhanced and feasible approach that can be applied in other local and state jurisdictions. |
Effectiveness of syphilis partner notification after adjusting for treatment dates, 7 jurisdictions
Cope AB , Bernstein KT , Matthias J , Rahman M , Diesel JC , Pugsley RA , Schillinger JA , Chew Ng RA , Klingler EJ , Mobley VL , Samoff E , Peterman TA . Sex Transm Dis 2021 49 (2) 160-165 INTRODUCTION: Disease intervention specialists (DIS) prevent syphilis by assuring treatment for patients' sex partners through partner notification (PN). Different interpretations of how to measure partners treated due to DIS efforts complicates PN evaluation. We measured PN impact by counting partners treated for syphilis after DIS interviewed the patient. METHODS: We reviewed data from early syphilis cases reported during 2015-2017 in seven jurisdictions. We compared infected partners brought to treatment using: 1) DIS-assigned disposition codes or 2) all infected partners treated 0-90 days after the patient's interview (adjusted treatment estimate). Stratified analyses assessed patient characteristics associated with the adjusted treatment estimate. RESULTS: DIS interviewed 23,613 patients who reported 20,890 partners with locating information. Many of the 3,569 (17.1%) partners classified by DIS as brought to treatment were treated before the patient was interviewed. There were 2,359 (11.3%) partners treated 0-90 days after the patient's interview. Treatment estimates were more consistent between programs when measured using our adjusted estimates (range 6.1%-14.8% per patient interviewed) compared to DIS-assigned disposition (range 6.1%-28.3%). Treatment of >1 partner occurred after 9.0% of interviews and was more likely if the patient was a woman (17.9%), aged <25 years (12.6%), interviewed ≤7 days from diagnosis (13.9%), HIV negative (12.6%), or had no reported history of syphilis (9.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Counting infected partners treated 0-90 days after interview reduced variability in reporting and facilitates quality assurance. Identifying programs and DIS who are particularly good at finding and treating partners could improve program impact. |
Intersection of Syphilis and HIV Networks to Identify Opportunities to Enhance HIV Prevention.
Dennis AM , Cressman A , Pasquale D , Frost SDW , Kelly E , Guy J , Mobley V , Samoff E , Hurt CB , McNeil C , Hightow-Weidman L , Carry M , Hogben M , Seña AC . Clin Infect Dis 2021 74 (3) 498-506 BACKGROUND: HIV and syphilis infection continue at disproportionate rates among minority men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. The integration of HIV genetic clustering with partner services can provide important insight into local epidemic trends to guide interventions and control efforts. METHODS: We evaluated contact networks of index persons defined as minority men and transgender women diagnosed with early syphilis and/or HIV infection between 2018-2020 in two North Carolina regions. HIV clusters were constructed from pol sequences collected through statewide surveillance. A combined "HIV-risk" network, which included persons with any links (genetic or sexual contact) to HIV-positive persons, was evaluated by component size, demographic factors, and HIV viral suppression. RESULTS: In total, 1,289 index persons were identified and 55% named 1,153 contacts. Most index persons were Black (88%) and young (median age 30 years); 70% had early syphilis and 43% had prevalent HIV infection. Most people with HIV (65%) appeared in an HIV cluster. The combined HIV-risk network (1,590 contact network and 1,500 cluster members) included 287 distinct components; however, 1,586 (51%) were in a single component. Fifty-five percent of network members with HIV had no evidence of viral suppression. Overall, fewer index persons needed to be interviewed to identify one HIV-positive member without viral suppression (1.3 versus 4.0 for contact tracing). CONCLUSIONS: Integration of HIV clusters and viral loads illuminate networks with high HIV prevalence, indicating recent and ongoing transmission. Interventions intensified towards these networks may efficiently reach persons for HIV prevention and care re-engagement. |
Geographic Disparities in Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Rates and Their Persistence Over Time
Mobley LR , Tangka FKL , Berkowitz Z , Miller J , Hall IJ , Wu M , Sabatino SA . J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021 30 (6) 807-815 Background: Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Lower uptake of mammography screening is associated with higher rates of late-stage breast cancers. This study aims to show geographic patterns in the United States, where rates of late-stage breast cancer are high and persistent over time, and examines factors associated with these patterns. Materials and Methods: We examined all primary breast cancers diagnosed among all counties in 43 U.S. states with available data. We used spatial cluster analysis to identify hot spots (i.e., spatial clusters with above average late-stage diagnosis rates among counties). Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were compared between persistent hot spots and those counties that were never hot spots. Results: Of the 2,599 counties examined in 43 states, 219 were identified as persistent hot spots. Counties with persistent hot spots (compared with counties that were never hot spots) were located in more deprived areas with worse housing characteristics, lower socioeconomic status, lower levels of health insurance, worse access to mammography, more isolated American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, or Hispanic neighborhoods, and larger income disparity. In addition, persistent hot spots were significantly more likely to be observed among poor, rural, African American, or Hispanic communities, but not among poor, rural, White communities. This analysis includes a broader range of socioeconomic conditions than those included in previous literature. Conclusion: We found geographic disparities in late-stage breast cancer diagnosis rates, with some communities experiencing persistent disparities over time. Our findings can guide public health efforts aimed at reducing disparities in stage of diagnosis for breast cancer. |
Unnamed partners from syphilis partner services interviews, 7 jurisdictions
Cope AB , Bernstein K , Matthias J , Rahman M , Diesel J , Pugsley RA , Schillinger JA , Chew Ng RA , Sachdev D , Shaw R , Nguyen TQ , Klingler EJ , Mobley VL , Samoff E , Peterman TA . Sex Transm Dis 2020 47 (12) 811-818 BACKGROUND: Reducing transmission depends on the percentage of infected partners treated; if many are missed, impact on transmission will be low. Traditional partner services metrics evaluate the number of partners found and treated. We estimated the proportion of partners of syphilis patients not locatable for intervention. METHODS: We reviewed records of early syphilis cases (primary, secondary, early latent) reported during 2015-2017 in seven jurisdictions (Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, New York City, and San Francisco). Among interviewed syphilis patients, we determined the proportion who reported named partners (with locating information), reported unnamed partners (no locating information), and did not report partners. For patients with no reported partners, we estimated their range of unreported partners to be between one and the average number of partners for patients who reported partners. RESULTS: Among 29,719 syphilis patients, 23,613 (80%) were interviewed and 18,581 (63%) reported 84,224 sex partners (average=4.5; 20,853 (25%) named and 63,371 (75%) unnamed). An estimated 11,138 to 54,521 partners were unreported. Thus, 74,509 to 117,892 (of 95,362 to 138,745) partners were not reached by partner services (78-85%). Among interviewed patients, 71% reported ≥1 unnamed partner or reported no partners; this proportion was higher for men who reported sex with men [MSM] (75%), compared to men who reported sex with women only (65%), and women (44%). CONCLUSION: Approximately 80% of sex partners were either unnamed or unreported. Partner services may be less successful at interrupting transmission in MSM networks where a higher proportion of partners are unnamed or unreported. |
HIV outbreak control with effective access to care and harm reduction in North Carolina, 2017-2018
Samoff E , Mobley V , Hudgins M , Cope AB , Adams ND , Caputo CR , Dennis AM , Billock RM , Crowley CA , Clymore JM , Foust E . Am J Public Health 2020 110 (3) e1-e7 Objectives. To assess and control a potential outbreak of HIV among people who inject drugs in Western North Carolina.Methods. Disease intervention specialists offered testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, harm reduction materials, and linkage to care to 7 linked people recently diagnosed with HIV who also injected drugs. Contacts were offered the same services and HIV testing. HIV genotype analysis was used to characterize HIV spread. We assessed testing and care outcomes by using state surveillance information.Results. Disease intervention specialists contacted 6 of 7 linked group members and received information on 177 contacts; among 96 prioritized contacts, 42 of 96 (44%) were exposed to or diagnosed with hepatitis C, 4 of 96 (4%) had hepatitis B, and 14 of 96 (15%) had HIV (2 newly diagnosed during the investigation). HIV genotype analysis suggested recent transmission to linked group members and 1 contact. Eleven of 14 with HIV were virally suppressed following the outbreak response.Conclusions. North Carolina identified and rapidly responded to an HIV outbreak among people reporting injecting drugs. Effective HIV care, the availability of syringe exchange services, and the rapid response likely contributed to controlling this outbreak. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 16, 2020: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2019.305490). |
Rural-urban trends in opioid overdose discharges in Missouri emergency departments, 2012-2016
Coffey W , Hunter A , Mobley E , Vivolo-Kantor A . J Rural Health 2019 36 (2) 177-186 PURPOSE: Opioid overdose death rates rose 36% from 2015 to 2016 in Missouri, indicating a worsening of the opioid overdose epidemic. To better understand urban and rural differences in nonfatal opioid overdoses treated in Missouri emergency departments, this paper analyzed hospital billing data from emergency departments due to opioid overdose from 2012 to 2016. METHODS: Emergency department records meeting the opioid overdose case definition were aggregated into 6 progressively rural groups using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) urban-rural county classification from 2013. These data were analyzed to determine significant trends amongst and between the geographic groups. FINDINGS: Generally, the magnitude of opioid overdose morbidity decreased as levels of rurality increased, using annual percentage change as the metric of change. Over the study period, Missouri's most urban counties had significantly higher rates of opioid overdose and saw larger percentage increases in rates compared to more rural areas. Statewide, all rural-urban classifications experienced increases in heroin overdose morbidity; however, there was extreme variation in the trajectory of those increases. Heroin overdose rates were much higher in urban areas than rural areas. Conversely, rural and urban areas saw relatively similar patterns for non-heroin opioid overdoses, though overall magnitude of these increases was more modest across all geographic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this analysis can help inform prioritization of strategies and resources to implement activities addressing the opioid overdose epidemic. Using a rich hospital discharge database could allow for further analysis of subpopulations to enhance personalization and customization of care. |
Notes from the field: Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli outbreak associated with a potluck party - North Carolina, June-July 2018
Herzig CTA , Fleischauer AT , Lackey B , Lee N , Lawson T , Moore ZS , Hergert J , Mobley V , MacFarquhar J , Morrison T , Strockbine N , Martin H . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 68 (7) 183-184 On July 2, 2018, the North Carolina Division of Public Health was notified that approximately three dozen members of an ethnic Nepali refugee community had been transported to area hospitals for severe gastrointestinal illness after attending a potluck party on June 30. The North Carolina Division of Public Health partnered with the local health department and CDC to investigate the outbreak, identify the cause, and prevent further transmission. The investigation included molecular-guided laboratory testing of clinical specimens by CDC, which determined that this was the first confirmed U.S. outbreak of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) in 47 years. |
Performance of the Syphilis Health Check in clinic and laboratory-based settings
Fakile YF , Brinson M , Mobley V , Park IU , Gaynor AM . Sex Transm Dis 2019 46 (4) 250-253 BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluate the performance of the Syphilis Health Check (SHC) in clinical and laboratory settings using fingerstick whole-blood and serum. METHODS: Fingerstick whole-blood and serum specimens from adult patients (n=562) without prior syphilis history presenting at two county health department STD clinics in North Carolina were tested. Fingerstick specimens were tested with the SHC in clinic, and serum specimens were tested at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health with: 1) qualitative rapid plasma reagin (RPR), 2) treponemal EIA and 3) SHC. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The fingerstick whole-blood had a sensitivity of 100% (7/7) and specificity of 95.7% (531/555), compared to consensus reference testing - CRT (RPR and EIA reactive), but a sensitivity of 50% (8/16), and specificity of 95.9% (523/546), when compared to the treponemal EIA. Both laboratory-based SHC on serum and whole-blood SHC performed similarly, compared to CRT, and the treponemal EIA alone. Twenty-four specimens SHC reactive on whole-blood were nonreactive by CRT. In 8/24 of these cases STD clinic staff reported difficulty reading the test line for the SHC. Of the fingerstick whole-blood SHC reactive specimens, only 14/31 were also serum SHC reactive. CONCLUSION: The SHC on whole-blood appears to be sensitive at detecting patients likely to have syphilis, and could be an option for testing among high-risk populations. However, given challenges in interpreting SHC test results, adequate training of persons performing testing and ongoing quality assurance measures are key. |
The changing role of disease intervention specialists in modern public health programs
Cope AB , Mobley VL , Samoff E , O'Connor K , Peterman TA . Public Health Rep 2018 134 (1) 33354918813549 For decades, disease intervention specialists have worked on the front lines of public health, defending against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. The transmission of STDs can be interrupted when a disease intervention specialist contacts recently diagnosed persons, ensures that they are treated, identifies their sexual partners, and ensures that the partners are tested and treated. The success of this work depends on the ability and willingness of patients to name their sexual partners; the ability of the disease intervention specialist to promptly interview infected persons, find their sexual partners by using available resources, and maintain patient confidentiality; and the cooperation of local providers and community stakeholders in coordinating prevention messaging. With proper training and resources, disease intervention specialists provide an effective, albeit costly, service for health departments to control the spread of STDs and HIV.1 |
Ocular syphilis and HIV coinfection among syphilis patients in North Carolina, 2014-2016
Cope AB , Mobley VL , Oliver SE , Larson M , Dzialowy N , Maxwell J , Rinsky JL , Peterman TA , Fleischauer A , Samoff E . Sex Transm Dis 2018 46 (2) 80-85 BACKGROUND: Ocular syphilis (OS) has been associated with HIV coinfection previously. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics of syphilis patients with and without HIV to identify risk factors for developing OS. METHODS: We reviewed all syphilis cases (early and late) reported to the North Carolina (NC) Division of Public Health during 2014-2016 and categorized HIV status (positive, negative, unknown) and OS status based on report of ocular symptoms with no other defined etiology. We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for OS by HIV status. Among syphilis patients with HIV, we compared viral loads and CD4 cell counts by OS status. We compared symptom resolution by HIV status for a subset of OS patients. RESULTS: Among 7,123 confirmed syphilis cases, 2,846 (39.9%) were living with HIV, 109 (1.5%) had OS, and 59 (0.8%) had both. OS was more prevalent in syphilis patients with HIV compared to HIV-negative/unknown-status patients (PR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.6). Compared to other patients with HIV, the prevalence of OS was higher in patients with viral loads >200 copies/mL (1.7; 1.0, 2.8) and in patients with a CD4 count </=200 cells/mL (2.3; 1.3, 4.2). Among 11 patients with severe OS, 9 (81.8%) were HIV-positive. Among 39 interviewed OS patients, OS symptom resolution was similar for HIV-positive (70.0%) and HIV-negative/unknown-status (68.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Syphilis patients with HIV were nearly twice as likely to report OS symptoms as were patients without documented HIV. HIV-related immunodeficiency possibly increases the risk of OS development in co-infected patients. |
A Comparison of syphilis partner notification outcomes by reported use of internet-based apps to meet sex partners in North Carolina, 2013-2016
Mobley V , Cope A , Dzialowy N , Maxwell J , Foust E , Samoff E . Sex Transm Dis 2018 45 (12) 823-828 BACKGROUND: Partner notification services (PNS) remain the backbone of syphilis control. The popularity of internet-based apps to meet sex partners among early syphilis (ES) patients may hinder the success of PNS if partners cannot be located. METHODS: We compared demographic and clinical characteristics between male ES patients indicating sex with men (MSM) and reported in North Carolina between 2013 and 2016 by reported use of an internet-based app to meet sex partners (app user). We used multivariable log-binomial regression to assess the association between app usage and ES exposure notification of >/=1 sex partner. RESULTS: Among 3,414 MSM ES patients, 58.6% were app users. App users were more frequently white (33.2% vs. 27.3%; p=0.003), younger (median: 28 vs. 30 years; p=0.0002) and less frequently HIV co-infected (54.1% vs. 58.2%; p=0.02) compared to non-app users. Overall, 94.9% of app users and 89.6% of non-app users reported >/=1 sex partner. App users reported 2.5-times more locatable and 2.7-times more unlocatable sex partners than non-app users. Similar proportions of app (23.6%) and non-app users (25.0%) reported only unlocatable partners (p=0.4). App usage was not associated with ES exposure notification of >/=1 sex partner (adjusted risk ratio: 0.99; 95% confidence interval: 0.87-1.13). CONCLUSION: We observed no difference in the proportion of locatable partners or likelihood of notifying >/=1 sex partner of exposure among MSM ES patients, by reported use of internet-based apps to meet sex partners. PNS continues to be an important mechanism to locate and assure treatment for sex partners in this population. |
The Number of Interviews Needed to Yield New Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cases Among Partners of People Diagnosed With Syphilis, North Carolina, 2015
Samoff E , Cope AB , Maxwell J , Thomas F , Mobley VL . Sex Transm Dis 2017 44 (8) 451-456 Compare syphilis investigation yield among patient groups using number needed to interview. GOAL: To increase investigation efficiency. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of North Carolina 2015 syphilis investigations, using the number of cases needed to interview (NNTI) and the total number of cases and contacts needed to interview (TNTI) to compare yield of new syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus diagnoses between patient groups. RESULTS: We reviewed 1646 early syphilis cases and 2181 contacts; these yielded 241 new syphilis cases (NNTI, 6.9; TNTI, 16.4) and 38 new human immunodeficiency virus cases (NNTI, 43). Interviews of women (prevalence difference [PD] = 6%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 12-16), patients <30 years old (PD = 5%, 95% CI, 1-8), and patients with titer >1:16 (PD = 5%, 95% CI, 1-9) yielded more new syphilis cases in our adjusted model; no other patient factors increased investigation yield. CONCLUSIONS: The NNTI and TNTI are useful measures of efficiency. Prioritizing early syphilis investigation by gender, rapid plasmin reagin titer, and age provides small increases in efficiency; no other factors increased efficiency. |
Racial and ethnic disparities among state Medicaid programs for breast cancer screening
Tangka FK , Subramanian S , Mobley LR , Hoover S , Wang J , Hall IJ , Singh SD . Prev Med 2017 102 59-64 Breast cancer screening by mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer morbidity and mortality. The use of mammography screening though varies by race, ethnicity, and, sociodemographic characteristics. Medicaid is an important source of insurance in the US for low-income beneficiaries, who are disproportionately members of racial or ethnic minorities, and who are less likely to be screened than women with higher socioeconomic statuses. We used 2006-2008 data from Medicaid claims and enrollment files to assess racial or ethnic and geographic disparities in the use of breast cancer screening among Medicaid-insured women at the state level. There were disparities in the use of mammography among racial or ethnic groups relative to white women, and the use of mammography varied across the 44 states studied. African American and American Indian women were significantly less likely than white women to use mammography in 30% and 39% of the 44 states analyzed, respectively, whereas Hispanic and Asian American women were the minority groups most likely to receive screening compared with white women. There are racial or ethnic disparities in breast cancer screening at the state level, which indicates that analyses conducted by only using national data not stratified by insurance coverage are insufficient to identify vulnerable populations for interventions to increase the use of mammography, as recommended. |
Ocular syphilis - eight jurisdictions, United States, 2014-2015
Oliver SE , Aubin M , Atwell L , Matthias J , Cope A , Mobley V , Goode A , Minnerly S , Stoltey J , Bauer HM , Hennessy RR , DiOrio D , Fanfair RN , Peterman TA , Markowitz L . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016 65 (43) 1185-1188 Ocular syphilis, a manifestation of Treponema pallidum infection, can cause a variety of ocular signs and symptoms, including eye redness, blurry vision, and vision loss. Although syphilis is nationally notifiable, ocular manifestations are not reportable to CDC. Syphilis rates have increased in the United States since 2000. After ocular syphilis clusters were reported in early 2015, CDC issued a clinical advisory in April 2015 and published a description of the cases in October 2015. Because of concerns about an increase in ocular syphilis, eight jurisdictions (California, excluding Los Angeles and San Francisco, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New York City, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington) reviewed syphilis surveillance and case investigation data from 2014, 2015, or both to ascertain syphilis cases with ocular manifestations. A total of 388 suspected ocular syphilis cases were identified, 157 in 2014 and 231 in 2015. Overall, among total syphilis surveillance cases in the jurisdictions evaluated, 0.53% in 2014 and 0.65% in 2015 indicated ocular symptoms. Five jurisdictions described an increase in suspected ocular syphilis cases in 2014 and 2015. The predominance of cases in men (93%), proportion of those who are men who have sex with men (MSM), and percentage who are HIV-positive (51%) are consistent with the epidemiology of syphilis in the United States. It is important for clinicians to be aware of potential visual complications related to syphilis infections. Prompt identification of potential ocular syphilis, ophthalmologic evaluation, and appropriate treatment are critical to prevent or manage visual symptoms and sequelae of ocular syphilis. |
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