Issue 23, June 11, 2012

Vol. 4, Issue: 23, 6/11/12

Welcome to Science Clips, CDC’s weekly digest!

The report consists of four components:

Tuberculosis and HIV infection have been described as “friends without benefits”. TO Abimbolaexternal icon and collaborators, using a decision analysis model, conclude that either culture or use of the Xpert test were cost-effective at reducing TB-related mortality during the first six months of antiretroviral treatment for HIV. AS Dharmadhikariexternal icon, writing with others in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, uses an animal model to document reduction of transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis from patients wearing surgical masks. KM Littleexternal icon is the lead author for a review of Child-to-Breastfeeding-Woman Transmission (CBWT) of HIV, which finds that poor infection control practices resulting in nosocomial transmission to infants can put breastfeeding women at risk for CBWT.

Additional global health studies showcased this week include a review of Uganda’s experience with Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR). The analysis, led by L Lukwagoexternal icon, finds that IDSR resulted in broad improvements in surveillance at all system levels; however progress may be imperiled by decreased funding. In a study conducted in Malawi, J Skarbinskiexternal icon and others report significant reductions in malaria parasitemia and anemia prevalence in an area of intense malaria transmission following indoor residual spraying.

Two domestic studies featured this week focus on broadly defined environmental factors in maternal and child health. A Busacker and L Kasehagenexternal icon, in an analysis from the National Survey of Children’s Health, report that children who have moved three or more times are more likely to have poorer health status and to lack health insurance and a medical home. Writing in Pediatrics, CG Perrineexternal icon et al found that two-thirds of surveyed mothers were not breastfeeding as long as they intended to; increasing “Baby-Friendly” hospital practices would likely help improve this situation.

The broad scope of occupational health is represented by two featured articles this week. National Health Interview Survey data compiled by SE Luckhauptexternal icon and colleagues estimates that dermatitis affects more than 15 million U.S. workers, as well as finding a much higher prevalence compared to an occupational illness and injury survey. Protection from vaccine-preventable diseases remains an important occupational issue for healthcare workers. A group led by PR Spradlingexternal icon studied more than 2,500 health science students, concluding that almost all had evidence of protection against Hepatitis B on the basis of prior vaccination. Most apparent non-responders reached protective antibody thresholds with one or more additional vaccine doses.

In a study co-authored by the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, MM Seltzerexternal icon and colleagues report the first population-based U.S. study of the prevalence of the fragile X syndrome premutation not using clinical samples. Prevalence was found to be 1 in 151 females for premutation and 1 in 468 males for premutation. Additional findings on psychiatric and behavioral disorders in premutation carriers are presented.

John Iskander

Editor, Science Clips


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  1. Top Ten Articles of the Week

  2. CDC Authored Publications

    The names of CDC authors are indicated in bold text.

  3. Key Scientific Articles in Featured Topic Areas

  4. Public Health Articles Noted in the Media

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DISCLAIMER: Articles listed in the CDC Science Clips are selected by the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library to provide current awareness of the public health literature. An article’s inclusion 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 Clips, 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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