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Last Posted: May 28, 2023
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3-year anniversary of national viral genomics consortium to better map SARS-CoV-2 transmission
CDC, May 2023 Brand

In early 2020, CDCs Office of Advanced Molecular Detection (OAMD) launched the Sequencing for Public Health Emergency Response, Epidemiology and Surveillance (SPHERES) consortium?to coordinate SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and help accelerate the use of pathogen sequence data and molecular epidemiology for the pandemic response. Today, the SPHERES collaboration includes 1,800 scientists from clinical and public health laboratories, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Evaluation of polygenic risk scores to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Muhammad Shoaib et al. Genetic epidemiology 2023 2

We evaluated PRS models for T1D and T2D in European genetic ancestry participants from the UK Biobank (UKB) and then in the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI). Specifically, we investigated the utility of T1D and T2D PRS to discriminate between T1D, T2D, and controls in unrelated UKB individuals of European ancestry. We derived PRS models using external non-UKB GWAS. The T1D PRS model with the best discrimination between T1D cases and controls (area under the receiver operator curve [AUC]?=?0.805) also yielded the best discrimination of T1D from T2D cases in the UKB (AUC?=?0.792) and separation in MGI (AUC?=?0.686).

Detection of the Omicron BA.1 Variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater From a Las Vegas Tourist Area.
Van Vo et al. JAMA network open 2023 2 (2) e230550

In this cross-sectional study, the rapid onset of the Omicron BA.1 variant of concern in Las Vegas Strip wastewater was leveraged to quantify relative SARS-CoV-2 contributions from visitors (>60%) and estimate Omicron prevalence in this subpopulation in late 2021 (40%-60% on December 13 and 80%-100% on December 20). These findings suggest that mobile populations (eg, tourists and commuters) may disproportionately affect wastewater surveillance data, leading to overestimates of infection burden with wastewater-based epidemiology.

Increasing serum iron levels and their role in the risk of infectious diseases: a Mendelian randomization approach.
Guillaume Butler-Laporte et al. International journal of epidemiology 2023 2

Using MR, we did not observe an increase in risk of most infectious diseases with increases in iron stores. However for bacterial infections, higher iron stores may increase odds of infections. Hence, using genetic variation in iron pathways as a proxy for iron supplementation, iron supplements are likely safe on a population level, but we should continue the current practice of conservative iron supplementation during bacterial infections or in those at high risk of developing them.


Disclaimer: Articles listed in the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base are selected by the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics to provide current awareness of the literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the update, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

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