Last data update: May 20, 2024. (Total: 46824 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Rich SN [original query] |
---|
Knowledge and practices related to louse- and flea-borne diseases among staff providing services to people experiencing homelessness in the United States
Rich SN , Carpenter A , Dell B , Henderson R , Adams S , Bestul N , Grano C , Sprague B , Leopold J , Schiffman EK , Lomeli A , Zadeh H , Alarcón J , Halai UA , Nam YS , Seifu L , Slavinski S , Crum D , Mosites E , Salzer JS , Hinckley AF , McCormick DW , Marx GE . Zoonoses Public Health 2024 BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Louse-borne Bartonella quintana infection and flea-borne murine typhus are two potentially serious vector-borne diseases that have led to periodic outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness in the United States. Little is known about louse- and flea-borne disease awareness and prevention among staff who provide services to the population. We surveyed staff in seven US states to identify gaps in knowledge and prevention practices for these diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surveys were administered to 333 staff at 89 homeless shelters and outreach teams in California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Washington from August 2022 to April 2023. Most participants (>68%) agreed that body lice and fleas are a problem for people experiencing homelessness. About half were aware that diseases could be transmitted by these vectors; however, most could not accurately identify which diseases. Less than a quarter of staff could describe an appropriate protocol for managing body lice or fleas. Misconceptions included that clients must isolate or be denied services until they are medically cleared. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal significant knowledge gaps among staff who provide services to people experiencing homelessness in the prevention and control of louse- and flea-borne diseases. This demonstrates an urgent need for staff training to both reduce disease and prevent unnecessary restrictions on services and housing. |
Notes from the field: Severe bartonella quintana infections among persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness - New York City, January 2020-December 2022
Rich SN , Beeson A , Seifu L , Mitchell K , Wroblewski D , Juretschko S , Keller M , Gnanaprakasam R , Agladze M , Kodama R , Kupferman T , Bhatnagar J , Martines RB , Reagan-Steiner S , Slavinski S , Kuehnert MJ , Bergeron-Parent C , Corvese G , Marx GE , Ackelsberg J . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (42) 1147-1148 Bartonella quintana infection is a vectorborne disease transmitted by the human body louse (1). In the United States, homelessness is the principal risk factor for B. quintana infection (2), likely attributable to limited access to hygiene facilities (1). This infection is not nationally notifiable in the United States, and its incidence is unknown. Acute B. quintana infection can cause fever, headache, and bone pain; severe manifestations include chronic bacteremia, bacillary angiomatosis, and infective endocarditis (3). Because the bacterium requires special conditions to grow in culture, standard blood cultures are usually negative (4). Diagnosis by serology is most common; however, cross-reactivity with other Bartonella species (e.g., B. henselae) can hamper interpretation. Molecular assays specific for B. quintana have been developed (5), but availability is limited to a few laboratories. Once diagnosed, infection can be cured by several weeks to months of antibiotic therapy. |
Employing Molecular Phylodynamic Methods to Identify and Forecast HIV Transmission Clusters in Public Health Settings: A Qualitative Study.
Rich SN , Richards VL , Mavian CN , Switzer WM , Rife Magalis B , Poschman K , Geary S , Broadway SE , Bennett SB , Blanton J , Leitner T , Boatwright JL , Stetten NE , Cook RL , Spencer EC , Salemi M , Prosperi M . Viruses 2020 12 (9) Molecular HIV surveillance is a promising public health strategy for curbing the HIV epidemic. Clustering technologies used by health departments to date are limited in their ability to infer/forecast cluster growth trajectories. Resolution of the spatiotemporal dynamics of clusters, through phylodynamic and phylogeographic modelling, is one potential strategy to develop a forecasting tool; however, the projected utility of this approach needs assessment. Prior to incorporating novel phylodynamic-based molecular surveillance tools, we sought to identify possible issues related to their feasibility, acceptability, interpretation, and utility. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups among field experts (n = 17, 52.9% female) using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Data were coded using an iterative process, first through the development of provisional themes and subthemes, followed by independent line-by-line coding by two coders. Most participants routinely used molecular methods for HIV surveillance. All agreed that linking molecular sequences to epidemiological data is important for improving HIV surveillance. We found that, in addition to methodological challenges, a variety of implementation barriers are expected in relation to the uptake of phylodynamic methods for HIV surveillance. The participants identified several opportunities to enhance current methods, as well as increase the usability and utility of promising works-in-progress. |
Sociodemographic, Ecological, and Spatiotemporal Factors Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Drug Resistance in Florida: A Retrospective Analysis.
Rich SN , Poschman K , Hu H , Mavian C , Cook RL , Salemi M , Spencer EC , Prosperi M . J Infect Dis 2020 223 (5) 866-875 BACKGROUND: Persons living with HIV (PWH) with resistance to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are vulnerable to adverse HIV-related health outcomes and can contribute to transmission of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) when non-virally suppressed. The degree to which HIVDR contributes to disease burden in Florida -the US state with the highest HIV incidence- is unknown. METHODS: We explored sociodemographic, ecological, and spatial-temporal associations of HIVDR. HIV-1 sequences (n=34,447) collected during 2012-2017 were obtained from the Florida Department of Health. HIVDR was categorized by ART class: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), non-NRTI (NNRTI), protease inhibitors (PI), and integrase inhibitors (INSTI). Multi-drug resistance (MDR) and transmitted-drug resistance (TDR) were also evaluated. Multivariable fixed-effects logistic regression models were fitted to associate individual and county-level sociodemographic and ecological health indicators with HIVDR. RESULTS: HIVDR prevalence was 19.2% (NRTI), 29.7% (NNRTI), 6.6% (PI), 23.5% (TDR), 13.2% (MDR), and 8.2% (INSTI) with significant variation by Florida county. Individuals who were older, Black, or acquired HIV through mother-to-child transmission had significantly higher odds of HIVDR. HIVDR was linked to counties with lower socioeconomic status, higher unemployment, and poor mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate HIVDR prevalence is higher in Florida than aggregate North American estimates with significant geographic and socioecological heterogeneity. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:May 20, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure