Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Zaheer S[original query] |
---|
Epidemiologic Investigation of Two Welder's Anthrax Cases Caused by Bacillus Cereus Group Bacteria: Occupational Link Established by Environmental Detection.
Dawson P , Salzer JS , Schrodt CA , Feldmann K , Kolton CB , Gee JE , Marston CK , Gulvik CA , Elrod MG , Villarma A , Traxler RM , Negrón ME , Hendricks KA , Moulton-Meissner H , Rose LJ , Byers P , Taylor K , Ware D , Balsamo GA , Sokol T , Barrett B , Payne E , Zaheer S , Jung GO , Long S , Quijano R , LeBouf L , O'Sullivan B , Swaney E , Antonini JM , Perio MA , Weiner Z , Bower WA , Hoffmaster AR . Pathogens 2022 11 (8) Abstract Bacillus cereus group bacteria containing the anthrax toxin genes can cause fatal anthrax pneumonia in welders. Two welder's anthrax cases identified in 2020 were investigated to determine the source of each patient's exposure. Environmental sampling was performed at locations where each patient had recent exposure to soil and dust. Samples were tested for the anthrax toxin genes by real-time PCR, and culture was performed on positive samples to identify whether any environmental isolates matched the patient's clinical isolate. A total of 185 environmental samples were collected in investigation A for patient A and 108 samples in investigation B for patient B. All samples from investigation B were real-time PCR-negative, but 14 (8%) samples from investigation A were positive, including 10 from patient A's worksite and 4 from his work-related clothing and gear. An isolate genetically matching the one recovered from patient A was successfully cultured from a worksite soil sample. All welder's anthrax cases should be investigated to determine the source of exposure, which may be linked to their worksite. Welding and metalworking employers should consider conducting a workplace hazard assessment and implementing controls to reduce the risk of occupationally associated illnesses including welder's anthrax. |
Notes from the Field: Fatal Anthrax Pneumonia in Welders and Other Metalworkers Caused by Bacillus cereus Group Bacteria Containing Anthrax Toxin Genes - U.S. Gulf Coast States, 1994-2020.
Dawson P , Schrodt CA , Feldmann K , Traxler RM , Gee JE , Kolton CB , Marston CK , Gulvik CA , Antonini JM , Negrón ME , McQuiston JR , Hendricks K , Weiner Z , Balsamo GA , Sokol T , Byers P , Taylor K , Zaheer S , Long S , O'Sullivan B , de Perio MA , Hoffmaster AR , Salzer JS , Bower WA . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 70 (41) 1453-1454 In 2020, CDC confirmed two cases of pneumonia (one fatal) in welders caused by rare Bacillus cereus group bacteria containing anthrax toxin genes typically associated with Bacillus anthracis. B. cereus group bacteria are gram-positive facultative anaerobes, often toxin-producing, that are ubiquitous in the environment and reside naturally in soil and dust (1). B. cereus can also be found in food, and although infection typically causes illnesses characterized by diarrhea or vomiting, B. cereus can have other clinical manifestations (e.g., pulmonary, ocular, or cutaneous). Among seven persons in the United States reported to be infected with B. cereus group bacteria containing anthrax toxin genes resulting in pneumonia since 1994, five patients died and two had critical illness with prolonged hospitalization and recovery (2–5). All persons with pneumonia were welders or other metalworkers who had worked in Louisiana or Texas (Table). In addition to the seven pneumonia cases, a cutaneous infection with B. cereus group bacteria containing anthrax toxin genes has been reported in a patient with an anthrax eschar in Florida.† |
SNVPhyl: a single nucleotide variant phylogenomics pipeline for microbial genomic epidemiology.
Petkau A , Mabon P , Sieffert C , Knox NC , Cabral J , Iskander M , Weedmark K , Zaheer R , Katz LS , Nadon C , Reimer A , Taboada E , Beiko RG , Hsiao W , Brinkman F , Graham M , Van Domselaar G . Microb Genom 2017 3 (6) e000116 The recent widespread application of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for microbial disease investigations has spurred the development of new bioinformatics tools, including a notable proliferation of phylogenomics pipelines designed for infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. Transitioning the use of WGS data out of the research laboratory and into the front lines of surveillance and outbreak response requires user-friendly, reproducible and scalable pipelines that have been well validated. Single Nucleotide Variant Phylogenomics (SNVPhyl) is a bioinformatics pipeline for identifying highquality single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and constructing a whole-genome phylogeny from a collection of WGS reads and a reference genome. Individual pipeline components are integrated into the Galaxy bioinformatics framework, enabling data analysis in a user-friendly, reproducible and scalable environment. We show that SNVPhyl can detect SNVs with high sensitivity and specificity, and identify and remove regions of high SNV density (indicative of recombination). SNVPhyl is able to correctly distinguish outbreak from non-outbreak isolates across a range of variant-calling settings, sequencing-coverage thresholds or in the presence of contamination. SNVPhyl is available as a Galaxy workflow, Docker and virtual machine images, and a Unix-based command-line application. SNVPhyl is released under the Apache 2.0 license and available at http://snvphyl.readthedocs.io/ or at https://github.com/phac-nml/snvphyl-galaxy. |
HIV/AIDS outbreak investigation in Jalalpur Jattan (JPJ), Gujrat, Pakistan
Ansari JA , Salman M , Safdar RM , Ikram N , Mahmood T , Zaheer HA , Walke H , Asghar RJ . J Epidemiol Glob Health 2013 3 (4) 261-8 BACKGROUND: In June-July 2008 a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Jalalpur Jattan (JPJ), Gujrat, Pakistan arranged two voluntary HIV screening camps after numerous HIV-infected persons reported to their treatment center in Lahore; 88 (35.8%) of 246 persons screened in those camps were positive by rapid test. Intense media coverage made the residents of JPJ hostile to further inquiries. The Pakistan Field Epidemiology Training and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) was requested by the Provincial AIDS Control Program to carry out an epidemiological investigation. METHODS: HIV-positive persons or family members of patients who died of AIDS and consented to be interviewed during the period 15 December 2008 to 2 January 2009 were investigated. Enhanced contact tracing was done to identify additional cases. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding clinical history, risk factors, and HIV knowledge and practices. The national HIV/STI Referral Laboratory collected blood samples for HIV serology and molecular studies independently following pre- and post-counseling. RESULTS: A total of 53 HIV-infected persons were investigated. Out of these, 47 (88.7%) were alive at the time of investigation and 27 (50.9%) of the cases were female with 6 children aged 10years or less. Median age was 35years (mean 34.7, range 3-70). Most frequent symptoms were unexplained fever 42 (79.2%), diarrhea 34 (64.15%) and skin infections 27 (50.9%); 13 (24.5%) had co-infection with tuberculosis (TB) and 10 (18.9%) with hepatitis (B or C). Use of injections 51 (96.2%), dental procedures 21 (40%) and barber shop visits among males 18 (72%) were common risk factors. Extramarital sex was reported by 4 (9.4%). Only 19 (35.8%) were aware that HIV can be sexually transmitted and 18 (34%) were aware of HIV transmission by blood transfusion. Phylogenetic analysis revealed HIV infection in this group was HIV-1 Subtype A, transmitted over a decade, and the situation is endemic rather than an outbreak. CONCLUSION: The investigation indicates high rates of HIV infection in JPJ. Unlike other studies from Pakistan, a high proportion of cases in females and children less than 10years of age were observed. Socio-cultural norms and stigmatization limited in-depth investigation of sexual and behavioral practices and history of drug abuse. A shift of HIV infection from high-risk groups to the general population was seen and requires vigilant surveillance besides targeted health education, clinical management, lab facilities for diagnosis and monitoring, and voluntary counseling and testing services to limit disease spread. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:May 06, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure