2020 Science Clips Banner

Issue 4, January 24, 2023

Related Pages

CDC Science Clips: Volume 15, Issue 4, January 24, 2023

Science Clips is produced weekly to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge for the public health community. Each article features an Altmetric Attention score to track social and mainstream media mentions.

The report consists of these components:

  1. CDC Authored Publications
    The names of CDC authors are indicated in bold text.
    Articles published in the past 6-8 weeks authored by CDC or ATSDR staff.
    • Chronic Diseases and Conditions
      1. Changes in asthma emergency department visits in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic
        Ye D, Gates A, Radhakrishnan L, Mirabelli MC, Flanders WD, Sircar K.
        J Asthma. 2023 01/24/2023:1-8.
        OBJECTIVE: A better understanding of the impacts of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on emergency department (ED) visits for asthma is needed to improve asthma control. METHODS: Using data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP), we assessed changes in average weekly asthma ED visits in the United States in 3 surveillance periods: (1) March 15, 2020-January 2, 2021; (2) January 3, 2021-January 1, 2022; and (3) January 2-March 5, 2022, relative to pre-pandemic comparison periods between December 30, 2018 and December 28, 2019. For each surveillance period, we assessed changes in asthma ED visits by age group and sex. RESULTS: For the surveillance period beginning March 15, 2020, average weekly asthma ED visits declined 31% relative to what was observed during the comparison period - that is, from 45,276 visits/week in 2019 to 31,374 visits/week in 2020. Declines of over 19% and 26% were observed for 2021 and 2022, respectively, relative to the comparison periods. In all surveillance periods, the largest declines occurred among children, especially those ages 0-4 (74%) and 5-11 (66%) years. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted asthma ED visits in the United States. The impact was greater among children than adults, as ED visits among children were notably lower during all three pandemic surveillance periods than during the corresponding pre-pandemic periods. Additional information about the roles of behaviors of patients with asthma and changes in asthma care might improve our understanding of the reasons underlying these observed changes.

        Ye, D. Gates, A. Radhakrishnan, L. Mirabelli, M. C. Flanders, W. D. Sircar, K.

      2. Triglyceride content of lipoprotein subclasses and kidney hemodynamic function and injury in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
        Pauley ME, Vinovskis C, MacDonald A, Baca M, Pyle L, Wadwa RP, Fornoni A, Nadeau KJ, Pavkov M, Nelson RG, Gordin D, de Boer IH, Tommerdahl KL, Bjornstad P.
        J Diabetes Complications. 2022 01/24/2023;37(2):108384.
        AIMS: Elevated triglycerides (TG) are associated with development and progression of kidney disease, and TG distributions across lipoprotein subclasses predict kidney dysfunction in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Little is known regarding these relationships in youth. METHODS: In this single center study conducted from October 2018-2019, lipid constituents from lipoprotein subclasses were quantified by targeted nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), afferent arteriolar resistance (R(A)), efferent arteriolar resistance (R(E)), intraglomerular pressure (P(GLO)), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), a marker of kidney tubule injury, were assessed. Cross-sectional relationships were assessed by correlation and multivariable linear regression (adjusted for age, sex, HbA1c) models. RESULTS: Fifty youth with T1D (age 16 ± 3 years, 50 % female, HbA1c 8.7 ± 1.3 %, T1D duration 5.7 ± 2.6 years) were included. Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG concentrations correlated and associated with intraglomerular hemodynamic function markers including GFR, P(GLO), UACR, as did small low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-TG and small high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-TG. YKL-40 correlated with all lipoprotein subclasses. CONCLUSION: TG within lipoprotein subclasses, particularly VLDL, associated with P(GLO,) GFR, albuminuria, and YKL-40. Lipid perturbations may serve as novel targets to mitigate early kidney disease.

        Pavkov, M.

      3. Prevalence of obesity and CKD among adults in the United States, 2017-2020
        Friedman A, Ogden C, Hales C.
        Kidney Med. 2023 01/24/2023;5(1).

      4. First-line corticosteroids for Kawasaki disease: Pulse versus multiple dose
        Abrams JY, Ae R, Maddox RA, Schonberger LB, Nakamura Y, Belay ED.
        Pediatr Int. 2022 01/24/2023;64(1):e15112.
        BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) can result in severe coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs). Corticosteroids added to initial standard intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment may decrease the risk for these complications. Different corticosteroid regimens (single-day high dose pulse vs multiple lower doses) may contribute to the discrepant results of prior studies. METHODS: Using data from the 22nd, 23(rd) , and 24th Japanese nationwide KD surveys (2011-2016), we identified KD patients who did not have CAAs at first presentation and who were treated with either pulse or multiple-dose corticosteroids as part of their initial treatment. Occurrence of subsequent CAAs and treatment failure were compared between the treatment regimens and adjusted odds ratios were calculated controlling for sex, age group, illness day at first treatment, survey, and recurrent KD. RESULTS: There were 782 KD patients who received pulse corticosteroid treatment and 4,817 who received multiple dose treatment. Patients receiving multiple dose treatment were less likely to develop CAAs (5.5% vs 8.3%, OR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48-0.85) or treatment failure (21.4% vs 41.6%; OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.33-0.45). Adjusted analyses showed similar protective effects of multiple-dose treatment against CAAs (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51-0.90) and treatment failure (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.33-0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple-dose corticosteroid combination treatment resulted in substantially improved outcomes in KD patients compared to pulse treatment. For patients who may be at elevated risk of treatment failure or CAA, use of multiple-dose corticosteroids in conjunction with IVIG is likely to provide considerable clinical benefit.

        Abrams, J. Y. Ae, R. Maddox, R. A. Schonberger, L. B. Belay, E. D.

      5. Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity
        Hampl SE, Hassink SG, Skinner AC, Armstrong SC, Barlow SE, Bolling CF, Avila Edwards KC, Eneli I, Hamre R, Joseph MM, Lunsford D, Mendonca E, Michalsky MP, Mirza N, Ochoa ER, Sharifi M, Staiano AE, Weedn AE, Flinn SK, Lindros J, Okechukwu K.
        Pediatrics. 2023 01/24/2023.

      6. Executive summary: Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity
        Hampl SE, Hassink SG, Skinner AC, Armstrong SC, Barlow SE, Bolling CF, Avila Edwards KC, Eneli I, Hamre R, Joseph MM, Lunsford D, Mendonca E, Michalsky MP, Mirza N, Ochoa ER, Sharifi M, Staiano AE, Weedn AE, Flinn SK, Lindros J, Okechukwu K.
        Pediatrics. 2023 01/24/2023.

    • Communicable Diseases
      1. Broadly neutralizing antibody-mediated protection against SHIV infection among macaques with vaginal sexually transmitted infections
        Garber DA, Guenthner P, Zhao C, Mitchell J, Ellis S, Jia H, Manganare M, Gazumyan A, Seaman MS, Vishwanathan SA, Heneine W, McNicholl JM.
        AIDS. 2023 01/24/2023.
        OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase mucosal HIV infection risk and have the potential to reduce preexposure prophylaxis efficacy. Clinical trials of a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) provided proof-of-concept that passive immunization against HIV can be efficacious in people. We sought to evaluate preclinically the protective efficacy of passive bNAb immunization against simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in the context of concurrent vaginal STIs. DESIGN: Using a macaque model of combined ulcerative and nonulcerative vaginal STIs caused by Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis, we determined the protection that passively administered bNAb 10-1074 conferred against repeated vaginal SHIV challenges and compared correlates of protection to contemporaneous and historical controls without STIs. METHODS: Plasma viremia was monitored via RT-qPCR assay. Concentrations of 10-1074 were determined longitudinally in plasma samples via TZM-bl pseudovirus neutralization assay. RESULTS: Among macaques with vaginal STIs, a single subcutaneous injection of 10-1074 durably protected against vaginal SHIV acquisition, as compared with untreated controls. Interestingly, the median plasma concentration of 10-1074 at the time of SHIV breakthrough among macaques with STIs was significantly higher (10-fold) than that previously observed among 10-1074-treated macaques in the absence of STIs. CONCLUSION: Passive immunization with 10-1074 conferred significant protection against repeated vaginal SHIV challenges among macaques harboring vaginal STIs. However, our findings suggest that higher bNAb concentrations may be required for prophylaxis when STIs are present. Our findings potentially impact dose selection for the clinical development of bNAbs and highlight the importance of additional preclinical efficacy testing in STI models.

        Garber, D. A. Guenthner, P. Zhao, C. Mitchell, J. Ellis, S. Jia, H. Manganare, M. Vishwanathan, S. A. Heneine, W. McNicholl, J. M.

      2. Angiopoietin-like4 is a novel marker of COVID-19 severity
        Bhatraju PK, Morrell ED, Stanaway IB, Sathe NA, Srivastava A, Postelnicu R, Green R, Andrews A, Gonzalez M, Kratochvil CJ, Kumar VK, Hsiang TY, Gale M, Anesi GL, Wyles D, Broadhurst MJ, Brett-Major D, Mukherjee V, Sevransky JE, Landsittel D, Hung C, Altemeier WA, Gharib SA, Uyeki TM, Cobb JP, Liebler JM, Crosslin DR, Jarvik GP, Segal LN, Evans L, Mikacenic C, Wurfel MM.
        Crit Care Explor. 2023 01/24/2023;5(1):e0827.
        Vascular dysfunction and capillary leak are common in critically ill COVID-19 patients, but identification of endothelial pathways involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis has been limited. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is a protein secreted in response to hypoxic and nutrient-poor conditions that has a variety of biological effects including vascular injury and capillary leak. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of ANGPTL4 in COVID-19-related outcomes. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred twenty-five COVID-19 ICU patients were enrolled from April 2020 to May 2021 in a prospective, multicenter cohort study from three different medical centers, University of Washington, University of Southern California and New York University. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Plasma ANGPTL4 was measured on days 1, 7, and 14 after ICU admission. We used previously published tissue proteomic data and lung single nucleus RNA (snRNA) sequencing data from specimens collected from COVID-19 patients to determine the tissues and cells that produce ANGPTL4. RESULTS: Higher plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations were significantly associated with worse hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio per log(2) increase, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.17-2.00; p = 0.002). Higher ANGPTL4 concentrations were also associated with higher proportions of venous thromboembolism and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Longitudinal ANGPTL4 concentrations were significantly different during the first 2 weeks of hospitalization in patients who subsequently died compared with survivors (p for interaction = 8.1 × 10(-5)). Proteomics analysis demonstrated abundance of ANGPTL4 in lung tissue compared with other organs in COVID-19. ANGPTL4 single-nuclear RNA gene expression was significantly increased in pulmonary alveolar type 2 epithelial cells and fibroblasts in COVID-19 lung tissue compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: ANGPTL4 is expressed in pulmonary epithelial cells and fibroblasts and is associated with clinical prognosis in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

        Uyeki, T. M.

      3. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis persistence and adherence among men who have sex with men in 4 U.S. cities
        Chapin-Bardales J, Haaland R, Martin A, Holder A, Butts VA, Sionean C, Sey EK, Brady KA, Raymond HF, Opoku J, Kuo I, Paz-Bailey G, Wejnert C.
        J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) persistence and adherence are critical to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States. SETTING: In 2017 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) in 4 U.S. cities completed a survey, HIV testing, and dried blood spots (DBS) at recruitment. METHODS: We assessed three PrEP outcomes: persistence (self-reported PrEP use at any time in the past 12 months and had tenofovir, emtricitabine, or tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) detected in DBS), adherence at ≥4 doses/week (self-reported past-month PrEP use and TFV-DP concentration ≥700 fmol/punch), and adherence at 7 doses/week (self-reported past-month PrEP use and TFV-DP concentration ≥1250 fmol/punch). Associations with key characteristics were examined using log-linked Poisson regression models with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Among 391 MSM who took PrEP in the past year, persistence was 80% and was lower among MSM who were younger, had lower education, and had fewer sex partners. Of 302 MSM who took PrEP in the past month, adherence at ≥4 doses/week was 80% and adherence at 7 doses/week was 66%. Adherence was lower among MSM who were younger, were Black, and had fewer sex partners. CONCLUSIONS: Although persistence and adherence among MSM were high, 1 in 5 past-year PrEP users were not persistent and 1 in 5 past-month PrEP users were not adherent at levels that would effectively protect them from acquiring HIV (i.e., ≥4 doses/week). Efforts to support PrEP persistence and adherence should include MSM who are young, are Black, and have less education.

        Chapin-Bardales, J. Haaland, R. Martin, A. Holder, A. Wejnert, C.

      4. BACKGROUND: Changes in emergency department (ED) usage among US Medicare beneficiaries (MB) with fee-for-service claims for HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or tuberculosis (TB) (HHST) services have not been assessed since the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: During 2006-20, we assessed the annual number of MB with each HHST per 1000 persons with ED claims for all conditions, and changes in demographic and geographic distribution of ED claimants for each HHST condition. RESULTS: Of all persons who attended an ED for any condition, 10.5 million (27.5%) were MB with ≥1 ED claim in 2006; that number (percentage) increased to 11.0 million (26.7%) in 2019 and decreased to 9.2 million (22.7%) in 2020; < 5 MB per 1000 ED population had HHST ED claims in 2020. The percentage increase in ED claims was higher for MB with STDs than for those with other HHST conditions, including a 10% decrease for MB with TB in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Trends in ED usage for HHST conditions were associated with changes in demographic and geographic distribution among MB during 2006-20. Updated ED reimbursement policies and primary care practices among MB might improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HHST conditions in the future.

        Chang, M. H. Truman, B. I.

      5. Mpox cases among cisgender women and pregnant persons - United States, May 11-November 7, 2022
        Oakley LP, Hufstetler K, O'Shea J, Sharpe JD, McArdle C, Neelam V, Roth NM, Olsen EO, Wolf M, Pao LZ, Gold JA, Davis KM, Perella D, Epstein S, Lash MK, Samson O, Pavlick J, Feldpausch A, Wallace J, Nambiar A, Ngo V, Halai UA, Richardson CW, Fowler T, Taylor BP, Chou J, Brandon L, Devasia R, Ricketts EK, Stockdale C, Roskosky M, Ostadkar R, Vang Y, Galang RR, Perkins K, Taylor M, Choi MJ, Weidle PJ, Dawson P, Ellington S.
        MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 01/24/2023;72(1):9-14.
        Monkeypox (mpox) cases in the 2022 outbreak have primarily occurred among adult gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM); however, other populations have also been affected (1). To date, data on mpox in cisgender women and pregnant persons have been limited. Understanding transmission in these populations is critical for mpox prevention. In addition, among pregnant persons, Monkeypox virus can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy or to the neonate through close contact during or after birth (2-5). Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion and stillbirth, have been reported in previous mpox outbreaks (3). During May 11-November 7, 2022, CDC and U.S. jurisdictional health departments identified mpox in 769 cisgender women aged ≥15 years, representing 2.7% of all reported mpox cases.(†) Among cases with available data, 44% occurred in cisgender women who were non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black), 25% who were non-Hispanic White (White), and 23% who were Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic). Among cisgender women with available data, 73% reported sexual activity or close intimate contact as the likely route of exposure, with mpox lesions most frequently reported on the legs, arms, and genitals. Twenty-three mpox cases were reported in persons who were pregnant or recently pregnant(§); all identified as cisgender women based on the mpox case report form.(¶) Four pregnant persons required hospitalization for mpox. Eleven pregnant persons received tecovirimat, and no adverse reactions were reported. Continued studies on mpox transmission risks in populations less commonly affected during the outbreak, including cisgender women and pregnant persons, are important to assess and understand the impact of mpox on sexual, reproductive, and overall health.

        Oakley, L. P. Hufstetler, K. O'Shea, J. Sharpe, J. D. McArdle, C. Neelam, V. Roth, N. M. Olsen, E. O. Wolf, M. Pao, L. Z. Gold, J. A. W. Davis, K. M. Galang, R. R. Perkins, K. Taylor, M. Choi, M. J. Weidle, P. J. Dawson, P. Ellington, S.

      6. Influence of hormonal contraceptive use and HIV on cervicovaginal cytokines and microbiota in Malawi
        Haddad LB, Tang JH, Davis NL, Kourtis AP, Chinula L, Msika A, Tegha G, Hosseinipour MC, Nelson JA, Hobbs MM, Gajer P, Ravel J, De Paris K.
        mSphere. 2023 01/24/2023:e0058522.
        Important questions remain on how hormonal contraceptives alter the local immune environment and the microbiota in the female genital tract and how such effects may impact susceptibility to HIV infection. We leveraged samples from a previously conducted clinical trial of Malawian women with (n = 73) and without (n = 24) HIV infection randomized to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or the levonogestrel implant in equal numbers within each group and determined the effects of these hormonal contraceptives (HCs) on the vaginal immune milieu and the composition of the vaginal microbiota. Longitudinal data for soluble immune mediators, measured by multiplex bead arrays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and vaginal microbiota, assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon, were collected prior to and over a period of 180 days post-HC initiation. DMPA and levonogestrel had only minimal effects on the vaginal immune milieu and microbiota. In women with HIV, with the caveat of a small sample size, there was an association between the median log(10) change in the interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-10 ratio in vaginal fluid at day 180 post-HC compared to baseline when these women were classified as having a community state type (CST) IV vaginal microbiota and were randomized to DMPA. Long-lasting alterations in soluble immune markers or shifts in microbiota composition were not observed. Furthermore, women with HIV did not exhibit increased viral shedding in the genital tract after HC initiation. Consistent with the results of the ECHO (Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes) trial, our data imply that the progestin-based HC DMPA and levonorgestrel are associated with minimal risk for women with HIV. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02103660). IMPORTANCE The results of the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial, the first large randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the HIV acquisition risk of women receiving DMPA, the levonorgestrel (LNG) implant, or the copper intrauterine device (IUD), did not reveal an increased risk of HIV acquisition for women on any of these three contraceptives. Our study results confirm that the two different progestin-based hormonal contraceptives DMPA and levonogestrel will not increase the risk for HIV infection. Furthermore, DMPA and levonogestrel have only minimal effects on the immune milieu and the microbiota in the vaginal tract, attesting to the safety of these hormonal contraceptives.

        Davis, N. L. Kourtis, A. P.

      7. Incidence rates of medically attended COVID-19 in infants less than 6 months of age
        Griffin I, Irving SA, Arriola CS, Campbell AP, Li DK, Dawood FS, Doughty-Skierski C, Ferber JR, Ferguson N, Hadden L, Henderson JT, Juergens M, Kancharla V, Naleway AL, Newes-Adeyi G, Nicholson E, Odouli R, Reichle L, Sanyang M, Woodworth K, Munoz FM.
        Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Studies suggest infants may be at increased risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relative to older children, but few data exist regarding the incidence of COVID-19 episodes and associated risk factors. We estimate incidence rates and describe characteristics associated with medically attended COVID-19 episodes among infants younger than 6 months of age. METHODS: We analyzed electronic medical record data from a cohort of infants born March 1, 2020-February 28, 2021. Data from 3 health care delivery systems included demographic characteristics, maternal and infant outpatient visit and hospitalization diagnoses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test results. Medically attended COVID-19 episodes were defined by positive SARS-CoV-2 clinical tests and/or COVID-19 diagnosis codes during medical care visits. Unadjusted and site-adjusted incidence rates by infant month of age, low and high SARS-CoV-2 circulation periods and maternal COVID-19 diagnosis were calculated. RESULTS: Among 18,192 infants <6 months of age whose mothers received prenatal care within the 3 systems, 173 (1.0%) had medically attended COVID-19 episodes. Incidence rates were highest among infants under 1 month of age (2.0 per 1000 person-weeks) and 1 month (2.0 per 1000 person-weeks) compared with older infants. Incidence rates were also higher for infants born to women with postpartum COVID-19 compared with women without known COVID-19 and women diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Infants of women with postpartum COVID-19 had a higher risk of medically attended COVID-19 than infants born to mothers who were diagnosed during pregnancy or never diagnosed underscoring the importance of COVID-19 prevention measures for their household members and caregivers to prevent infections in infants.

        Griffin, I. Arriola, C. S. Campbell, A. P. Dawood, F. S. Woodworth, K.

      8. Extragenital sexually transmitted infection testing among Louisiana Parish health units, 2016-2019
        Rahman MM, Johnson C, Taylor SN, Peterman TA, Bennett TS, Haydel D, Newman DR, Furness BW.
        Sex Transm Dis. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that men who have sex with men (MSM) get tested annually for urethral and rectal chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NG), and pharyngeal NG. There are no national recommendations to screen women and heterosexual men at extragenital sites. We assessed extragenital CT/NG screening among men and women at Louisiana's Parish Health Units (PHU). METHODS: The Louisiana STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program piloted extragenital screening at four PHUs in February 2016 and expanded to eleven PHUs in 2017. Sexual histories were used to identify gender of sex partners and exposed sites. Due to billing restrictions, up to two anatomical sites were tested for CT/NG. RESULTS: From February 2016-June 2019, 70,895 urogenital and extragenital specimens (56,086 urogenital, 13,797 pharyngeal and 1,012 rectal) were collected from 56,086 patients. Pharyngeal CT positivity was 160/7,868 (2.0%) among women, 54/4,838 (1.1%) among MSW (men who have sex with women) and 33/1,091 (3.0%) among MSM. Rectal CT positivity was 51/439 (11.6%) among women and 95/573 (16.6%) among MSM. Pharyngeal NG positivity was 299/7,868 (3.8%) among women, 222/4,838 (4.6%) among MSW and 97/1,091 (8.9%) among MSM. Rectal NG positivity was 20/439 (4.6%) among women and 134/573 (23.4%) among MSM.Urogenital-only screening would have missed: among women,173/3,923 (4.4%) CT and 227/1,480 (15.3%) NG infections; among MSW, 26/2,667 (1%) CT and 149/1,709 (8.7%) NG infections; and among MSM, 116/336 (34.5%) CT and 127/413 (42.1%) NG infections. CONCLUSIONS: Many CT/NG infections would have been missed with urogenital-only screening. MSM had much higher extragenital infection rates than women and MSW.

        Peterman, T. A. Newman, D. R. Furness, B. W.

    • Community Health Services
      1. The future of pharmacist-delivered status-neutral HIV prevention and care
        Weidle PJ, Brooks JT, Valentine SS, Daskalakis D.
        Am J Public Health. 2023 01/24/2023:e1-e3.

      2. Results from a test-and-treat study for influenza among residents of homeless shelters in King County, WA: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial
        Rogers JH, Casto AM, Nwanne G, Link AC, Martinez MA, Nackviseth C, Wolf CR, Hughes JP, Englund JA, Sugg N, Uyeki TM, Han PD, Pfau B, Shendure J, Chu HY.
        Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Persons experiencing homelessness face increased risk of influenza as overcrowding in congregate shelters can facilitate influenza virus spread. Data regarding on-site influenza testing and antiviral treatment within homeless shelters remain limited. METHODS: We conducted a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial of point-of-care molecular influenza testing coupled with antiviral treatment with baloxavir or oseltamivir in residents of 14 homeless shelters in Seattle, WA, USA. Residents ≥3 months with cough or ≥2 acute respiratory illness (ARI) symptoms and onset <7 days were eligible. In control periods, mid-nasal swabs were tested for influenza by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The intervention period included on-site rapid molecular influenza testing and antiviral treatment for influenza-positives if symptom onset was <48 h. The primary endpoint was monthly influenza virus infections in the control versus intervention periods. Influenza whole genome sequencing was performed to assess transmission and antiviral resistance. RESULTS: During 11/15/2019-4/30/2020 and 11/2/2020-4/30/2021, 1283 ARI encounters from 668 participants were observed. Influenza virus was detected in 51 (4%) specimens using RT-PCR (A = 14; B = 37); 21 influenza virus infections were detected from 269 (8%) intervention-eligible encounters by rapid molecular testing and received antiviral treatment. Thirty-seven percent of ARI-participant encounters reported symptom onset < 48 h. The intervention had no effect on influenza virus transmission (adjusted relative risk 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-6.00). Of 23 influenza genomes, 86% of A(H1N1)pdm09 and 81% of B/Victoria sequences were closely related. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest feasibility of influenza test-and-treat strategies in shelters. Additional studies would help discern an intervention effect during periods of increased influenza activity.

        Uyeki, T. M.

      3. Evaluation of community-based, mobile HIV-care, peer-delivered linkage case management in Manzini Region, Eswatini
        Suraratdecha C, MacKellar D, Hlophe T, Dlamini M, Ujamaa D, Pals S, Dube L, Williams D, Byrd J, Mndzebele P, Behel S, Pathmanathan I, Mazibuko S, Tilahun E, Ryan C.
        Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 01/24/2023;20(1).
        The success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) requires continuous engagement in care and optimal levels of adherence to achieve sustained HIV viral suppression. We evaluated HIV-care cascade costs and outcomes of a community-based, mobile HIV-care, peer-delivered linkage case-management program (CommLink) implemented in Manzini region, Eswatini. Abstraction teams visited referral facilities during July 2019-April 2020 to locate, match, and abstract the clinical data of CommLink clients diagnosed between March 2016 and March 2018. An ingredients-based costing approach was used to assess economic costs associated with CommLink. The estimated total CommLink costs were $2 million. Personnel costs were the dominant component, followed by travel, commodities and supplies, and training. Costs per client tested positive were $499. Costs per client initiated on ART within 7, 30, and 90 days of diagnosis were $2114, $1634, and $1480, respectively. Costs per client initiated and retained on ART 6, 12, and 18 months after diagnosis were $2343, $2378, and $2462, respectively. CommLink outcomes and costs can help inform community-based HIV testing, linkage, and retention programs in other settings to strengthen effectiveness and improve efficiency.

        Suraratdecha, C. MacKellar, D. Pals, S. Williams, D. Mndzebele, P. Behel, S. Pathmanathan, I. Mazibuko, S. Ryan, C.

      4. HIV diagnoses through partner services in the United States in 2019 and opportunities for improvement
        Williams WO, Song W, Huang T, Mulatu MS, Uhl G, Rorie M.
        Sex Transm Dis. 2023 01/24/2023;50(2):74-78.
        HIV partner services (HIV PS) is an effective strategy for diagnosing HIV infection. Sex/needle-sharing partners of individuals diagnosed with HIV are notified about potential exposure and offered HIV testing and other services. We assessed the HIV PS contribution to HIV diagnoses in the United States and assessed priority areas for improvements. National HIV Monitoring and Evaluation Partner Services and case surveillance data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 2019 were used for this analysis. The percentage of all new diagnoses that HIV PS programs reported is described nationally and by state. Linkage to HIV medical care among newly diagnosed partners is described. Potential increases in diagnosing HIV infection are assessed by HIV PS step to identify priority areas for improvement. HIV PS contributed 1214 of 35,164 (3.5%) of all diagnoses nationally in 2019, and contributions ranged from 0% to 31.8% by state. Of partners tested with nonmissing data, 22.7% were newly diagnosed. An estimated 1692 new partner diagnoses were lost during HIV PS steps. Steps resulting in the highest losses included index patients not being interviewed, partners not being tested for HIV, and index patients not being located. Seventy-two percent of partners newly diagnosed with HIV were linked to HIV medical care. HIV PS is an effective strategy for diagnosing HIV, and a high percent of sex/needle-sharing partners was newly diagnosed with HIV. Expanded HIV PS in some states and targeted improvements in HIV PS steps can enhance the contribution of HIV PS toward achieving national goals. eng

        Williams, W. O. Song, W. Huang, T. Mulatu, M. S. Uhl, G. Rorie, M.

    • Environmental Health
      1. Perceptions of water safety and tap water taste and their associations with beverage intake among U.S. Adults
        Park S, Onufrak SJ, Cradock AL, Patel A, Hecht C, Blanck HM.
        Am J Health Promot. 2023 01/24/2023:8901171221150093.
        OBJECTIVES: Examine differences in perceptions of tap water (TW) and bottled water (BW) safety and TW taste and their associations with plain water (PW) and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. DESIGN: Quantitative, cross-sectional study. SETTING: United States. SUBJECTS: 4,041 U.S. adults (≥18 years) in the 2018 SummerStyles survey data. MEASURES: Outcomes were intake of TW, BW, PW (tap and bottled water), and SSB. Exposures were perceptions of TW and BW safety and TW taste (disagree, neutral, or agree). Covariates included sociodemographics. ANALYSIS: We used chi-square analysis to examine sociodemographic differences in perceptions and multivariable logistic regressions to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for consuming TW ≤ 1 cup/day, BW > 1 cup/day, PW ≤ 3 cups/day, and SSB ≥ 1 time/day by water perceptions. RESULTS: One in 7 (15.1%) of adults did not think their home TW was safe to drink, 39.0% thought BW was safer than TW, and 25.9% did not think their local TW tasted good. Adults who did not think local TW was safe to drink had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 3.12) and BW >1 cup/day (AOR = 2.69). Adults who thought BW was safer than TW had higher odds of drinking TW ≤1 cup/day (AOR = 2.38), BW > 1 cup/day (AOR = 5.80), and SSB ≥ 1 time/day (AOR = 1.39). Adults who did not think TW tasted good had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 4.39) and BW > 1 cup/day (AOR = 2.91). CONCLUSIONS: Negative perceptions of TW safety and taste and a belief BW is safer than TW were common and associated with low TW intake. Perceiving BW is safer than TW increased the likelihood of daily SSB intake. These findings can guide programs and services to support water quality to improve perceptions of TW safety and taste, which might increase TW intake and decrease SSB intake.

        Park, S. Onufrak, S. J. Blanck, H. M.

      2. Exposure monitoring strategies for applying low-cost pm sensors to assess flour dust in industrial bakeries
        Ruiter S, Bard D, Ben Jeddi H, Saunders J, Snawder J, Warren N, Gorce JP, Cauda E, Kuijpers E, Pronk A.
        Ann Work Expo Health. 2023 01/24/2023.
        Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors provide new methods for monitoring occupational exposure to hazardous substances, such as flour dust. These devices have many possible benefits, but much remains unknown about their performance for different exposure monitoring strategies in the workplace. We explored the performance of PM sensors for four different monitoring strategies (time-weighted average and high time resolution, each quantitative and semi-quantitative) for assessing occupational exposure using low-cost PM sensors in a field study in the industrial bakery sector. Measurements were collected using four types of sensor (PATS+, Isensit, Airbeam2, and Munisense) and two reference devices (respirable gravimetric samplers and an established time-resolved device) at two large-scale bakeries, spread over 11 participants and 6 measurement days. Average PM2.5 concentrations of the low-cost sensors were compared with gravimetric respirable concentrations for 8-h shift periods and 1-min PM2.5 concentrations of the low-cost sensors were compared with time-resolved PM2.5 data from the reference device (quantitative monitoring strategy). Low-cost sensors were also ranked in terms of exposure for 8-h shifts and for 15-min periods with a shift (semi-quantitative monitoring strategy). Environmental factors and methodological variables, which can affect sensor performance, were investigated. Semi-quantitative monitoring strategies only showed more accurate results compared with quantitative strategies when these were based on shift-average exposures. The main factors that influenced sensor performance were the type of placement (positioning the devices stationary versus personal) and the company or workstation where measurements were collected. Together, these findings provide an overview of common strengths and drawbacks of low-cost sensors and different ways these can be applied in the workplace. This can be used as a starting point for further investigations and the development of guidance documents and data analysis methods.

        Snawder, J. Cauda, E.

      3. Glyphosate exposure and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in the Agricultural Health Study
        Chang VC, Andreotti G, Ospina M, Parks CG, Liu D, Shearer JJ, Rothman N, Silverman DT, Sandler DP, Calafat AM, Beane Freeman LE, Hofmann JN.
        J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide worldwide, and its use has been associated with increased risks of certain hematopoietic cancers in epidemiologic studies. Animal and in vitro experiments suggest that glyphosate may induce oxidative stress, a key characteristic of carcinogens; however, evidence in human populations remains scarce. We investigated associations between glyphosate exposure and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture study, a molecular epidemiologic subcohort in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS: This analysis included 268 male farmers selected based on self-reported recent and lifetime occupational glyphosate use and 100 age- and geography-matched male non-farmers. Concentrations of glyphosate and oxidative stress biomarkers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α [8-isoprostane], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were quantified in first-morning-void urine. We performed multivariable linear regression to evaluate associations of urinary glyphosate and self-reported glyphosate use with each oxidative stress biomarker. RESULTS: Urinary glyphosate concentrations were positively associated with levels of 8-OHdG (highest vs. lowest glyphosate quartile; geometric mean ratio [GMR]=1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.03-1.28, Ptrend=.02) and MDA (GMR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.03-1.40, Ptrend=.06) overall. Among farmers reporting recent glyphosate use (last 7 days), use in the previous day was also associated with significantly increased 8-OHdG and MDA levels. Compared with non-farmers, we observed elevated 8-isoprostane levels among farmers with recent, high past 12-month, or high lifetime glyphosate use. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to the weight of evidence supporting an association between glyphosate exposure and oxidative stress in humans and may inform evaluations of the carcinogenic potential of this herbicide.

        Ospina, M. Calafat, A. M.

    • Epidemiology and Surveillance
      1. Developing a sampling methodology for timely reporting of population-based COVID-19-associated hospitalization surveillance in the United States, COVID-NET 2020-2021
        O'Halloran A, Whitaker M, Patel K, Allen AE, Copeland KR, Reed C, Reynolds S, Taylor CA, Havers F, Kim L, Wolter K, Garg S.
        Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: The COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET) required a sampling methodology that allowed for production of timely population-based clinical estimates to inform the ongoing US COVID-19 pandemic response. METHODS: We developed a flexible sampling approach that considered reporting delays, differential hospitalized case burden across surveillance sites, and changing geographic and demographic trends over time. We incorporated weighting methods to adjust for the probability of selection and non-response, and to calibrate the sampled case distribution to the population distribution on demographics. We additionally developed procedures for variance estimation. RESULTS: Between March 2020 and June 2021, 19,293 (10.4%) of all adult hospitalized cases were sampled for chart abstraction. Variance estimates for select variables of interest were within desired ranges. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-NET's sampling methodology allowed for reporting of robust and timely, population-based data on the clinical epidemiology of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations and evolving trends over time, while attempting to reduce data collection burden on surveillance sites. Such methods may provide a general framework for other surveillance systems needing to quickly and efficiently collect and disseminate data for public health action.

        O'Halloran, A. Whitaker, M. Patel, K. Reed, C. Reynolds, S. Taylor, C. A. Havers, F. Kim, L. Garg, S.

    • Food Safety
      1. Listeria monocytogenes illness and deaths associated with ongoing contamination of a multiregional brand of ice cream products, United States, 2010-2015
        Conrad AR, Tubach S, Cantu V, Webb LM, Stroika S, Moris S, Davis M, Hunt DC, Bradley KK, Kucerova Z, Strain E, Doyle M, Fields A, Neil KP, Gould LH, Jackson KA, Wise ME, Griffin PM, Jackson BR.
        Clin Infect Dis. 2023 01/24/2023;76(1):89-95.
        BACKGROUND: Frozen foods have rarely been linked to Listeria monocytogenes illness. We describe an outbreak investigation prompted by both hospital clustering of illnesses and product testing. METHODS: We identified outbreak-associated listeriosis cases using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), product testing results, and epidemiologic linkage to cases in the same Kansas hospital. We reviewed hospital medical and dietary records, product invoices, and molecular subtyping results. Federal and state officials tested product and environmental samples for L. monocytogenes. RESULTS: Kansas officials were investigating 5 cases of listeriosis at a single hospital when, simultaneously, unrelated sampling for a study in South Carolina identified L. monocytogenes in Company A ice cream products made in Texas. Isolates from 4 patients and Company A products were closely related by WGS, and the 4 patients with known exposures had consumed milkshakes made with Company A ice cream while hospitalized. Further testing identified L. monocytogenes in ice cream produced in a second Company A production facility in Oklahoma; these isolates were closely related by WGS to those from 5 patients in 3 other states. These 10 illnesses, involving 3 deaths, occurred from 2010 through 2015. Company A ultimately recalled all products. CONCLUSIONS: In this US outbreak of listeriosis linked to a widely distributed brand of ice cream, WGS and product sampling helped link cases spanning 5 years to 2 production facilities, indicating longstanding contamination. Comprehensive sanitation controls and environmental and product testing for L. monocytogenes with regulatory oversight should be implemented for ice cream production.

        Conrad, A. R. Stroika, S. Kucerova, Z. Gould, L. H. Jackson, K. A. Wise, M. E. Griffin, P. M. Jackson, B. R.

    • Genetics and Genomics
      1. Comparing parasite genotypes to inform parasitic disease outbreak investigations involves computation of genetic distances that are typically analyzed by hierarchical clustering to identify related isolates, indicating a common source. A limitation of hierarchical clustering is that hierarchical clusters are not discrete, they are nested. Consequently, small groups of similar isolates exist within larger groups that get progressively larger as relationships become increasingly distant. Investigators must dissect hierarchical trees at a partition number ensuring grouped isolates belong to the same strain; a process typically performed subjectively, introducing bias into resultant groupings. We describe an unbiased, probabilistic framework for partition number selection that ensures partitions comprise isolates that are statistically likely to belong to the same strain. We compute distances and establish a normalized distribution of background distances that is used to demarcate a threshold below which the closeness of relationships is unlikely to be random. Distances are hierarchically clustered and the dendrogram dissected at a partition number where most within-partition distances fall below the threshold. We evaluated this framework by partitioning 1,137 clustered Cyclospora cayetanensis genotypes including 552 isolates epidemiologically linked to various outbreaks. The framework was 91% sensitive and 100% specific in assigning epidemiologically-linked isolates to the same partition.

        Barratt, J. L. N. Plucinski, M. M.

      2. A novel information-theory-based genetic distance that approximates phenotypic differences
        Campo DS, Mosa A, Khudyakov Y.
        J Comput Biol. 2023 01/24/2023.
        Application of genetic distances to measure phenotypic relatedness is a challenging task, reflecting the complex relationship between genotype and phenotype. Accurate assessment of proximity among sequences with different phenotypic traits depends on how strongly the chosen distance is associated with structural and functional properties. In this study, we present a new distance measure Mutual Information and Entropy H (MIH) for categorical data such as nucleotide or amino acid sequences. MIH applies an information matrix (IM), which is calculated from the data and captures heterogeneity of individual positions as measured by Shannon entropy and coordinated substitutions among positions as measured by mutual information. In general, MIH assigns low weights to differences occurring at high entropy positions or at dependent positions. MIH distance was compared with other common distances on two experimental and two simulated data sets. MIH showed the best ability to distinguish cross-immunoreactive sequence pairs from non-cross-immunoreactive pairs of variants of the hepatitis C virus hypervariable region 1 (26,883 pairwise comparisons), and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) binding peptides (n = 181) from non-binding peptides (n = 129). Analysis of 74 simulated RNA secondary structures also showed that the ratio between MIH distance of sequences from the same RNA structure and MIH of sequences from different structures is three orders of magnitude greater than for Hamming distances. These findings indicate that lower MIH between two sequences is associated with greater probability of the sequences to belong to the same phenotype. Examination of rule-based phenotypes generated in silico showed that (1) MIH is strongly associated with phenotypic differences, (2) IM of sequences under selection is very different from IM generated under random scenarios, and (3) IM is robust to sampling. In conclusion, MIH strongly approximates structural/functional distances and should have important applications to a wide range of biological problems, including evolution, artificial selection of biological functions and structures, and measuring phenotypic similarity.

        Campo, D. S. Khudyakov, Y.

    • Global Health
      1. Japanese encephalitis in a U.S. traveler returning from Vietnam, 2022
        Janatpour ZC, Boatwright MA, Yousif SM, Bonilla MF, Fitzpatrick KA, Hills SL, Decker CF.
        Travel Med Infect Dis. 2023 01/24/2023:102536.

    • Health Behavior and Risk
      1. Association between COVID-19 and consistent mask wearing during contact with others outside the household-A nested case-control analysis, November 2020-October 2021
        Tjaden AH, Edelstein SL, Ahmed N, Calamari L, Dantuluri KL, Gibbs M, Hinkelman A, Mongraw-Chaffin M, Sanders JW, Saydah S, Plumb ID.
        Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Face masks have been recommended to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, evidence of the individual benefit of face masks remains limited, including by vaccination status. METHODS: As part of the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership cohort study, we performed a nested case-control analysis to assess the association between self-reported consistent mask use during contact with others outside the household and subsequent odds of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) during November 2020-October 2021. Using conditional logistic regression, we compared 359 case-participants to 3544 control-participants who were matched by date, adjusting for enrollment site, age group, sex, race/ethnicity, urban/rural county classification, and healthcare worker occupation. RESULTS: COVID-19 was associated with not consistently wearing a mask (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.14, 1.95]). Compared with persons ≥14 days after mRNA vaccination who also reported always wearing a mask, COVID-19 was associated with being unvaccinated (aOR 5.94; 95% CI [3.04, 11.62]), not wearing a mask (aOR 1.62; 95% CI [1.07, 2.47]), or both unvaccinated and not wearing a mask (aOR 9.07; 95% CI [4.81, 17.09]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that consistent mask wearing can complement vaccination to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

        Saydah, S. Plumb, I. D.

    • Health Economics
      1. Costs attributable to criminal justice involvement in injuries: a systematic review
        Miller GF, Barnett SB, Wulz AR, Luo F, Florence C.
        Inj Prev. 2022 01/24/2023.
        CONTEXT: Costs related to criminal justice are an important component of the economic burden of injuries; such costs could include police involvement, judicial and corrections costs, among others. If the literature has sufficient information on the criminal justice costs related to injury, it could be added to existing estimates of the economic burden of injury. OBJECTIVE: To examine research on injury-related criminal justice costs, and what extent cost information is available by type of injury. DATA SOURCES: Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts ProQuest, EconLit and National Criminal Justice Reference Service were searched from 1998 to 2021. DATA EXTRACTION: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses was followed for data reporting. RESULTS: Overall, 29 studies reported criminal justice costs and the costs of crime vary considerably. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates possible touchpoints for cost inputs and outputs in the criminal justice pathway, providing a useful conceptualisation for better estimating criminal justice costs of injury in the future. However, better understanding of all criminal justice costs for injury-related crimes may provide justification for prevention efforts and potentially for groups who are disproportionately affected. Future research may focus on criminal justice cost estimates from injuries by demographics to better understand the impact these costs have on particular populations.

        Miller, G. F. Barnett, S. B. Wulz, A. R. Luo, F. Florence, C.

      2. Human milk expression in first year postpartum among persons with low incomes
        Nakayama JY, Marks KJ, McGowan A, Li R, Hamner HC.
        J Hum Nutr Diet. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Expressing milk (i.e., human milk) is common in the United States, but practices are unknown among families in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This study of a WIC population explores the practice of and reasons for expressing milk in the first year postpartum. METHODS: We analyzed data from a longitudinal study to examine milk expression at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 months postpartum among breastfeeding persons enrolled in WIC with term singletons. We cross-sectionally analyzed the weighted prevalence of milk expression at each survey month and report reasons for milk expression in the first 7 months. RESULTS: Among study participants who reported feeding human milk at month 1, 70.4% expressed milk in the first 13 months postpartum. The prevalence of milk expression was 56.8% at month 1 and decreased to 13.9% at month 13 among those feeding any human milk that month. Reasons for expressing milk changed over time; in the first month, increasing milk supply, relieving engorgement, and having an emergency supply of milk were common. In later months, having a supply of milk available so that someone else could feed their infant was common. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians, health educators, WIC staff, and others working with WIC families can promote optimal expressed milk feeding and storage practices. Extra attention and support may be especially important in the first months postpartum when milk expression is common. Support for persons who are expressing milk can be tailored for reasons of milk expression. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

        Nakayama, J. Y. Marks, K. J. McGowan, A. Li, R. Hamner, H. C.

    • Health Equity and Health Disparities
      1. Relationships between social vulnerability and COVID-19 vaccination coverage and vaccine effectiveness
        Dalton AF, Weber ZA, Allen KS, Stenehjem E, Irving SA, Spark TL, Adams K, Zerbo O, Lazariu V, Dixon BE, Dascomb K, Hartmann E, Kharbanda AB, Ong TC, DeSilva MB, Beaton M, Gaglani M, Patel P, Naleway AL, Sam Kish MN, Grannis SJ, Grisel N, Sloan-Aagard C, Rao S, Raiyani C, Dickerson M, Bassett E, Fadel WF, Arndorfer J, Nanez J, Barron MA, Vazquez-Benitez G, Liao IC, Griggs EP, Reese SE, Valvi NR, Murthy K, Rowley EA, Embi PJ, Ball S, Link-Gelles R, Tenforde MW.
        Clin Infect Dis. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains lower in communities with higher social vulnerability. Factors such as SARS-CoV-2 exposure risk and access to health care are often correlated with social vulnerability and may therefore contribute to a relationship between vulnerability and observed vaccine effectiveness (VE). Understanding whether these factors impact VE could contribute to our understanding of real-world VE. METHODS: We used electronic health record data from seven health systems to assess vaccination coverage among patients with medically attended COVID-19-like illness. We then used a test-negative design to assess VE for 2- and 3-dose mRNA adult (≥18 years) vaccine recipients across Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) quartiles. SVI rankings were determined by geocoding patient addresses to census tracts; rankings were grouped into quartiles for analysis. RESULTS: In July 2021, primary series vaccination coverage was higher in the least vulnerable quartile than in the most vulnerable quartile (56% vs. 36%, respectively). In February 2022, booster dose coverage among persons who had completed a primary series was higher in the least vulnerable quartile than in the most vulnerable quartile (43% vs. 30%). VE among 2-dose and 3-dose recipients during the Delta and Omicron BA.1 periods of predominance was similar across SVI quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccination coverage varied substantially by SVI. Differences in VE estimates by SVI were minimal across groups after adjusting for baseline patient factors. However, lower vaccination coverage among more socially vulnerable groups means that the burden of illness is still disproportionately borne by the most socially vulnerable populations.

        Dalton, A. F. Adams, K. Dickerson, M. Griggs, E. P. Link-Gelles, R. Tenforde, M. W.

      2. Challenges experienced by U.S. K-12 public schools in serving students with special education needs or underlying health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies for improved accessibility
        Spencer P, Timpe Z, Verlenden J, Rasberry CN, Moore S, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Claussen AH, Lee S, Murray C, Tripathi T, Conklin S, Iachan R, McConnell L, Deng X, Pampati S.
        Disabil Health J. 2022 01/24/2023:101428.
        BACKGROUND: Students with special education needs or underlying health conditions have been disproportionately impacted (e.g., by reduced access to services) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This study describes challenges reported by schools in providing services and supports to students with special education needs or underlying health conditions and describes schools' use of accessible communication strategies for COVID-19 prevention. METHODS: This study analyzes survey data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. K-12 public schools (n = 420, February-March 2022). Weighted prevalence estimates of challenges in serving students with special education needs or underlying health conditions and use of accessible communication strategies are presented. Differences by school locale (city/suburb vs. town/rural) are examined using chi-square tests. RESULTS: The two most frequently reported school-based challenges were staff shortages (51.3%) and student compliance with prevention strategies (32.4%), and the two most frequently reported home-based challenges were the lack of learning partners at home (25.5%) and lack of digital literacy among students' families (21.4%). A minority of schools reported using accessible communications strategies for COVID-19 prevention efforts, such as low-literacy materials (7.3%) and transcripts that accompany podcasts or videos (6.7%). Town/rural schools were more likely to report non-existent or insufficient access to the internet at home and less likely to report use of certain accessible communication than city/suburb schools. CONCLUSION: Schools might need additional supports to address challenges in serving students with special education needs or with underlying health conditions and improve use of accessible communication strategies for COVID-19 and other infectious disease prevention.

        Spencer, P. Verlenden, J. Rasberry, C. N. Moore, S. Yeargin-Allsopp, M. Claussen, A. H. Lee, S. Pampati, S.

      3. Engaging Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino men who have sex with men for HIV testing and prevention services through technology: Protocol for the iSTAMP comparative effectiveness trial
        Dana R, Sullivan S, MacGowan RJ, Chavez PR, Wall KM, Sanchez TH, Stephenson R, Hightow-Weidman L, Johnson JA, Smith A, Sharma A, Jones J, Hannah M, Trigg M, Luo W, Caldwell J, Sullivan PS.
        JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 01/24/2023;12:e43414.
        BACKGROUND: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly Black or African American MSM (BMSM) and Hispanic or Latino MSM (HLMSM), continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in the United States. Previous HIV self-testing programs have yielded high testing rates, although these studies predominantly enrolled White, non-Hispanic MSM. Mobile health tools can support HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. This protocol details an implementation study of mailing free HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) nested within a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the benefit of a mobile phone app for increasing the uptake of HIV prevention and other social services. OBJECTIVE: This study was a comparative effectiveness trial of innovative recruitment and testing promotion strategies intended to effectively reach cisgender BMSM and HLMSM. We evaluated the use of a mobile app for increasing access to care. METHODS: Study development began with individual and group consultations that elicited feedback from 3 core groups: HIV care practitioners and researchers, HIV service organization leaders from study states, and BMSM and HLMSM living in the study states. Upon completion of the formative qualitative work, participants from 11 states, based on the observed areas of highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among Black and Hispanic MSM, were recruited through social networking websites and smartphone apps. After eligibility was verified, participants consented and were randomized to the intervention arm (access to the Know@Home mobile app) or the control arm (referral to web resources). We provided all participants with HIVSTs. The evaluation of the efficacy of a mobile phone app to support linkage to posttest prevention services that included sexually transmitted infection testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation, antiretroviral treatment, and acquisition of condoms and compatible lubricants has been planned. Data on these outcomes were obtained from several sources, including HIVST-reporting surveys, the 4-month follow-up survey, laboratory analyses of dried blood spot cards returned by the participant, and data obtained from the state health department surveillance systems. Where possible, relevant subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the formative development phase, 9 consultations were conducted: 6 in-depth individual discussions and 3 group consultations. From February 2020 through February 2021, we enrolled 2093 MSM in the randomized controlled trial from 11 states, 1149 BMSM and 944 HLMSM. CONCLUSIONS: This study was designed and implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment strategies to reach BMSM and HMSM and of a mobile app with regard to linkage to HIV prevention or treatment services. Data were also obtained to allow for the analyses of cost and cost-effectiveness related to study enrollment, HIV testing uptake, identification of previously undiagnosed HIV, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04219878); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04219878. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/43414.

        MacGowan, R. J. Chavez, P. R. Johnson, J. A. Smith, A. Luo, W.

      4. Some racial and ethnic groups are at increased risk for COVID-19 and associated hospitalization and death because of systemic and structural inequities contributing to higher prevalences of high-risk conditions and increased exposure (1). Vaccination is the most effective prevention intervention against COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality*; ensuring more equitable vaccine access is a public health priority. Differences in adult COVID-19 vaccination coverage by race and ethnicity have been previously reported (2,3), but similar information for children and adolescents is limited (4,5). CDC analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey-Child COVID Module (NIS-CCM) to describe racial and ethnic differences in vaccination status, parental intent to vaccinate their child, and behavioral and social drivers of vaccination among children and adolescents aged 5-17 years. By August 31, 2022, approximately one third (33.2%) of children aged 5-11 years, more than one half (59.0%) of children and adolescents aged 12-15 years, and more than two thirds (68.6%) of adolescents aged 16-17 years had received ≥1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Vaccination coverage was highest among non-Hispanic Asian (Asian) children and adolescents, ranging from 63.4% among those aged 5-11 years to 91.8% among those aged 16-17 years. Coverage was next highest among Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) children and adolescents (34.5%-77.3%). Coverage was similar for non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black), non-Hispanic White (White), and non-Hispanic other race(†) or multiple race (other/multiple race) children and adolescents aged 12-15 and 16-17 years. Among children aged 5-11 years, coverage among Black children was lower than that among Hispanic, Asian, and other/multiple race children. Enhanced public health efforts are needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage for all children and adolescents. To address disparities in child and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination coverage, vaccination providers and trusted messengers should provide culturally relevant information and vaccine recommendations and build a higher level of trust among those groups with lower coverage.

        Valier, M. R. Elam-Evans, L. D. Mu, Y. Santibanez, T. A. Yankey, D. Zhou, T. Pingali, C. Singleton, J. A.

    • Immune System Disorders
      1. In vitro activity of the novel antifungal olorofim against Scedosporium And Lomentospora prolificans
        Georgacopoulos O, Nunnally N, Law D, Birch M, Berkow EL, Lockhart SR.
        Microbiol Spectr. 2023 01/24/2023:e0278922.
        Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans are an emerging group of fungi refractory to current antifungal treatments. These species largely affect immunocompromised individuals but can also be lung colonizers in cystic fibrosis patients. Although Scedosporium apiospermum is thought to be the predominant species, the group has been expanded to a species complex. The distribution of species within the S. apiospermum species complex and other closely related species in the United States is largely unknown. Here, we used β-tubulin and ITS sequences to identify 37 Scedosporium isolates to the species level. These Scedosporium isolates as well as 13 L. prolificans isolates were tested against a panel of nine antifungal drugs, including the first in novel class orotimide, olorofim. IMPORTANCE Scedosporium and Lomentospora infections are notoriously hard to treat as these organisms can be resistant to numerous antifungals. The manuscript contributes to our knowledge of the activity of the new antifungal agent olorofim and comparator agents against Lomentospora and against Scedosporium isolates that have been molecularly identified to the species level. The efficacy of olorofim against all species of Scedosporium and Lomentospora was confirmed.

        Georgacopoulos, O. Nunnally, N. Berkow, E. L. Lockhart, S. R.

    • Immunity and Immunization
      1. System and facility readiness assessment for conducting active surveillance of adverse events following immunization in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
        Zeleke ED, Yimer G, Lisanework L, Chen RT, Huang WT, Wang SH, Bennett SD, Makonnen E.
        Int Health. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: To help distinguish vaccine-related adverse events following immunization (AEFI) from coincidental occurrences, active vaccine pharmacovigilance (VP) prospective surveillance programs are needed. From February to May 2021, we assessed the system and facility readiness for implementing active AEFI VP surveillance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Selected hospitals were assessed using a readiness assessment tool with scoring measures. The site assessment was conducted via in-person interviews within the specific departments in each hospital. We evaluated the system readiness with a desk review of AEFI guidelines, Expanded Program for Immunization Guidelines and Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration and Ethiopian Public Health Institute websites. RESULTS: Of the hospitals in Addis Ababa, 23.1% met the criteria for our site assessment. During the system readiness assessment, we found that essential components were in place. However, rules, regulations and proclamations pertaining to AEFI surveillance were absent. Based on the tool, the three hospitals (A, B and C) scored 60.6% (94/155), 48.3% (75/155) and 40% (62/155), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Only one of three hospitals assessed in our evaluation scored >50% for readiness to implement active AEFI surveillance. We also identified the following areas for improvement to ensure successful implementation: training, making guidelines and reporting forms available and ensuring a system that accommodates paper-based and electronic-based recording systems.

        Bennett, S. D.

      2. Parental perceptions related to co-administration of adolescent COVID-19 and routine vaccines
        Gidengil CA, Parker AM, Gedlinske AM, Askelson NM, Petersen CA, Lindley MC, Woodworth KR, Scherer AM.
        J Adolesc Health. 2022 01/24/2023.
        PURPOSE: Vaccinating adolescents against COVID-19 while avoiding delays in other routine vaccination is paramount to protecting their health. Our objective was to assess parental preferences to have their adolescents aged 12-17 years receive COVID-19 and other routine vaccines at the same time. METHODS: An online survey with a national, quota-based cross-sectional sample of United States parents of youth aged 12-17 years was fielded in April 2021 ahead of FDA's Emergency Use Authorization of COVID-19 vaccine for age 12-15 years. Parents were asked about their willingness to have their adolescents aged 12-17 years receive both COVID-19 and routine vaccines at the same visit and/or to follow their provider's recommendation. Predictors included demographic characteristics, being behind on routine vaccines, and perceived risks and benefits. RESULTS: Few parents were willing to have their adolescent receive COVID-19 and routine vaccines at the same visit (10.6%) or follow the healthcare provider's recommendation (18.5%). In multivariate analyses, demographic characteristics had no effect on willingness, reporting that the adolescent was behind on routine vaccines correlated with decreased willingness (p = .004). Greater concern about the adolescent getting COVID-19 (p = .001), lower concern about the adolescent having side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine (p = .013), and more positive feelings about vaccines in general (p = .002) were associated with higher willingness. DISCUSSION: Few parents would prefer to have their adolescents receive COVID-19 and routine vaccines at the same visit. Understanding what drives willingness to receive all recommended vaccines in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic could inform policies to optimize adolescent vaccination.

        Lindley, M. C. Woodworth, K. R.

      3. OBJECTIVE: Assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake among veterinarians and describe unvaccinated veterinarians' perceptions of COVID-19 disease and vaccines. SAMPLE: 2,721 (14%) of 19,654 randomly sampled AVMA members. PROCEDURES: A survey of AVMA members was conducted between June 8 and June 18, 2021. Information was collected on COVID-19 experience, vaccination intention, and perceptions of COVID-19 disease and vaccines. RESULTS: A total of 2,721 AVMA members completed the survey. Most respondents reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (89% [2,428/2,721]). Most unvaccinated respondents disagreed with concerns about contracting (67% [196/292]) or being harmed by (65% [187/287]) COVID-19 but agreed with concerns about short- (79% [228/290]) and long-term (89% [258/289]) side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. Over 91% (268/292) did not agree that COVID-19 vaccine benefits outweigh the risk. Although 83% (244/293) of unvaccinated respondents reported being unlikely to get a COVID-19 vaccine, 47% (137/291) agreed they would be more likely if they knew people vaccinated without serious side effects. Perceptions of COVID-19 disease severity and susceptibility, beliefs about COVID-19 vaccine benefits, and barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination varied with vaccination intention. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the AVMA survey suggested that COVID-19 vaccination was widespread among veterinarians in June 2021. Understanding unvaccinated respondents' health beliefs about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines may facilitate veterinarian vaccination participation. Veterinarians who abstained from COVID-19 vaccination cited concerns about the safety, efficacy, and necessity of COVID-19 vaccines. Our results suggested that demonstrating vaccine safety and a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio of vaccination may help reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among veterinarians.

        Tomasi, S. E.

      4. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection among long-term care facility staff with and without prior infection in New York City, January-June 2021
        Peebles K, Arciuolo RJ, Romano AS, Sell J, Greene SK, Lim S, Mulready-Ward C, Ternier A, Badenhop B, Blaney K, Real JE, Spencer M, McPherson TD, Ahuja SD, Sullivan Meissner J, Zucker JR, Rosen JB.
        J Infect Dis. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Evidence of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among persons with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection is accumulating. METHODS: We evaluated the effect against incident SARS-CoV-2 infection of (1) prior infection without vaccination, (2) vaccination (two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) without prior infection, and (3) vaccination after prior infection, all compared with unvaccinated persons without prior infection. We included long-term care facility staff in New York City aged <65 years with weekly SARS-CoV-2 testing during January 21-June 5, 2021. Test results were obtained from state-mandated laboratory reporting. Vaccination status was obtained from the Citywide Immunization Registry. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for confounding with inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS: Compared with unvaccinated persons without prior infection, incident SARS-CoV-2 infection risk was lower in all groups: 54.6% (95% CI: 38.0, 66.8) lower among unvaccinated, previously infected persons; 80.0% (95% CI: 67.6, 87.7) lower among fully vaccinated persons without prior infection; and 82.4% (95% CI: 70.8, 89.3) lower among persons fully vaccinated after prior infection. CONCLUSIONS: Two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk by ≥80%, and for those with prior infection, increased protection from prior infection alone. These findings support recommendations that all eligible persons, regardless of prior infection, be vaccinated against COVID-19.

        Peebles, K. Zucker, J. R.

    • Informatics
      1. Development and national scale implementation of an open-source electronic laboratory information system (OpenELIS) in Côte d'Ivoire: Sustainability lessons from the first 13 years
        He Y, Iiams-Hauser C, Henri Assoa P, Kouabenan YR, Komena P, Pongathie A, Kouakou A, Kirk M, Antilla J, Rogosin C, Sadate Ngatchou P, Kohemun N, Bernard Koffi J, Flowers J, Abiola N, Adjé-Touré C, Puttkammer N, Perrone LA.
        Int J Med Inform. 2022 01/24/2023;170:104977.
        PURPOSE: Côte d'Ivoire has a tiered public health laboratory system of 9 reference laboratories, 77 laboratories at regional and general hospitals, and 100 laboratories among 1,486 district health centers. Prior to 2009, nearly all of these laboratories used paper registers and reports to collect and report laboratory data to clinicians and national disease monitoring programs. PROJECT: Since 2009 the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Côte d'Ivoire has sought to implement a comprehensive set of activities aimed at strengthening the laboratory system. One of these activities is the sustainable development, expansion, and technical support of an open-source electronic laboratory information system (OpenELIS), with the long-term goal of Ivorian technical support and managerial sustainment of the system. This project has addressed the need for a comprehensive, customizable, low- to no-cost, open-source LIS to serve the public health systems with initial attention to HIV clients and later expansion to cover the general population. This descriptive case study presents the first published summary of original work which has been ongoing since 2009 in Côte d'Ivoire to transform the laboratory information management systems and processes nationally. IMPACT: OpenELIS is now in use at 106 laboratories across Côte d'Ivoire. This article describes the iterative planning, design, and implementation process of OpenELIS in Côte d'Ivoire, and the evolving leadership, ownership, and capacity of the Ivorian MOH in sustaining the system. This original work synthesizes lessons learned from this 13-year experience towards strengthening laboratory information systems in other low resource settings.

        Bernard Koffi, J.

      2. Estimated number of incident HIV infections in men who have sex with men attributable to gonorrhea and chlamydia, per gonococcal or chlamydial infection, in the United States
        Jones J, Jenness SM, Le Guillou A, Sullivan PS, Gift TL, Delaney KP, Chesson H.
        Sex Transm Dis. 2023 01/24/2023;50(2):83-85.
        Using a network model, we simulated transmission of HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia among men who have sex with men to estimate the number of HIV infections that can be attributed to gonorrhea and chlamydia, per gonococcal and chlamydial infection. This metric can inform future modeling and health economic studies. eng

        Gift, T. L. Delaney, K. P. Chesson, H.

    • Injury and Violence
      1. Diffusion effects of a sexual violence prevention program leveraging youth-adult partnerships
        Edwards KM, Banyard VL, Waterman EA, Simon B, Hopfauf S, Mitchell KJ, Jones LM, Mercer Kollar LM, Valente TW.
        Am J Community Psychol. 2023 01/24/2023.
        The purpose of the current study was to examine the diffusion effects of a youth-led sexual violence prevention program (i.e., Youth Voices in Prevention [Youth VIP]). Specifically, social network analysis was used to measure the extent to which Youth VIP changed behaviors for 1172 middle and high school youth who did not attend program events but were friends with Youth VIP participants and completed the first and final survey (approximately 2 years apart). Findings suggest that there was considerable interpersonal communication about Youth VIP among the students generated by program participation. Specifically, youth with friends who participated in Youth VIP were more likely to report hearing their friends talk about Youth VIP and reported talking to their friends about Youth VIP compared with those not connected to Youth VIP participants. However, there were no diffusion effects found for behavioral outcomes (i.e., bystander intervention behavior, violence victimization, and perpetration). Given the mixed findings, further research is needed to determine the extent to which youth-led sexual violence prevention initiatives lead to changes in broader community-wide changes in youths' behaviors.

        Mercer Kollar, L. M.

      2. Traumatic injuries among Alaska's young workers: Linking cases from four data systems
        Evoy R, Syron L, Case S, Lucas D.
        BMC Public Health. 2023 01/24/2023;23(1):57.
        BACKGROUND: Young workers (aged 15-24 years) experience higher rates of job-related injury compared with workers aged 25-44 years in the United States. Young workers may have limited or no prior work experience or safety training, which can contribute to their injury risk. In 2018, Alaska had the second highest work-related fatality rate and 14th highest non-fatal injury rate in the United States. This study aimed to characterize nonfatal and fatal occupational injuries among young workers in Alaska. METHODS: To describe injury patterns among Alaska young workers from 2014-2018, we used data from four datasets: Alaska Workers' Compensation, Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System, Alaska Trauma Registry, and Alaska Fishermen's Fund. The datasets were merged two at a time and filtered by the worker characteristics (e.g., age and sex) and incident characteristics (e.g., date of injury). Duplicates were then manually identified between the datasets using the variables above. The injury narrative and Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System codes were used last to verify true duplicates. Descriptive analyses were performed after the duplicates were merged. RESULTS: During the 5-year study period 2014-2018, young workers experienced 20 fatal and 12,886 nonfatal injuries. Residents of Alaska comprised 85% of nonfatal and 70% of fatal injuries. The top three major occupation groups with the highest number of injuries were production (1,391, 14%), food preparation (1,225, 12%), and transportation/material moving (1,166, 11%). The most common events leading to injuries were struck by object or equipment (2,027, 21%), overexertion involving outside sources (1,385, 14%), and struck against object or equipment (905, 9%). The most common nature of injuries were sprains/strains/tears (3,024, 29%), cuts/lacerations (1,955, 19%), and bruises/contusions (1,592, 15%). CONCLUSION: Although progress has been made in reducing worker injuries, Alaskan young workers still experience injuries and fatalities frequently. Based on findings, there is a clear need for employers, researchers, public health professionals, parents, and young workers to prioritize young worker safety through an integrated approach, from education and training to adequate workplace supervision and support.

        Evoy, R. Syron, L. Case, S. Lucas, D.

      3. PURPOSE: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States; however, suicide is preventable and a better understanding of circumstances that contribute to death can inform prevention efforts. While the association between adolescent suicide and mental health is well established, multiple circumstances contribute to suicide risk. This study examines characteristics of adolescents who died by suicide and differences in circumstances between those with and without known mental health conditions at the time of death. METHODS: Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of circumstances contributing to suicide between decedents with and without known mental health conditions using data from the 2013 to 2018 National Violent Death Reporting System (analyzed in 2021). RESULTS: Decedents with a known mental health condition were 1.2-1.8 times more likely to experience problematic alcohol misuse, substance misuse, family and other nonintimate relationship problems, and school problems; however, there were no significant differences between those with and without a known mental health condition for the preceding circumstances of arguments or conflicts, criminal or legal problems, or any crisis occurring within the two weeks prior to death. DISCUSSION: A comprehensive suicide prevention approach can address not only mental health conditions as a risk factor but also life stressors and other crises experienced among adolescents without known mental health conditions.

        Rice, K. Brown, M. Nataraj, N. Xu, L.

    • Laboratory Sciences
      1. Temporal dynamics of the chicken mycobiome
        Davies CP, Summers KL, Arfken AM, Darwish N, Chaudhari A, Frey JF, Schreier L, Proszkowiec-Weglarz M.
        Front Physiol. 2022 01/24/2023;13:1057810.
        The microbiome is an integral part of chicken health and can affect immunity, nutrient utilization, and performance. The role of bacterial microbiota members in host health is relatively well established, but less attention has been paid to fungal members of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) community. However, human studies indicate that fungi play a critical role in health. Here, we described fungal communities, or mycobiomes, in both the lumen and mucosa of the chicken ileum and cecum from hatch through 14 days of age. We also assessed the effects of delayed access to feed immediately post-hatch (PH) on mycobiome composition, as PH feed delay is commonly associated with poor health performance. Chicken mycobiomes in each of the populations were distinct and changed over time. All mycobiomes were dominated by Gibberella, but Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Sarocladium, Meyerozyma, and Penicillium were also abundant. Relative abundances of some taxa differed significantly over time. In the cecal and ileal lumens, Penicillium was present in extremely low quantities or absent during days one and two and then increased over time. Meyerozyma and Wickerhamomyces also increased over time in luminal sites. In contrast, several highly abundant unclassified fungi decreased after days one and two, highlighting the need for improved understanding of fungal gut biology. Mycobiomes from chicks fed during the first 2 days PH versus those not fed during the first 2 days did not significantly differ, except during days one and two. Similarities observed among mycobiomes of fed and unfed chicks at later timepoints suggest that delays in PH feeding do not have long lasting effects on mycobiome composition. Together, these results provide a foundation for future mycobiome studies, and suggest that negative health and production impacts of delayed feeding are not likely related to the development of fungal populations in the GIT.

        Arfken, A. M.

      2. Molecular evolution and antigenic drift of type 3 iVDPVs excreted from a patient with immunodeficiency in Ningxia, China
        Fan Q, Ma J, Li X, Jorba J, Yuan F, Zhu H, Hu L, Song Y, Wang D, Zhu S, Yan D, Chen H, Xu W, Zhang Y.
        J Med Virol. 2023 01/24/2023;95(1):e28215.
        A 2.5-year-old pediatric patient with acute flaccid paralysis was diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency (PID) in Ningxia Province, China, in 2011. Twelve consecutive stool specimens were collected from the patient over a period of 10 months (18 February 2011 to 20 November 2011), and 12 immunodeficiency vaccine-derived poliovirus (iVDPV) strains (CHN15017-1 to CHN15017-12) were subsequently isolated. Nucleotide sequencing analysis of the plaque-purified iVDPVs revealed 2%-3.5% VP1-region differences from their parental Sabin 3 strain. Full-length genome sequencing showed they were all Sabin 3/Sabin 1 recombinants, sharing a common 2C-region crossover site, and the two key determinants of attenuation (U472C in the 5' untranslated region and T2493C in the VP1 region) had reverted. Temperature-sensitive experiments demonstrated that the first two iVDPV strains partially retained the temperature-sensitive phenotype's nature, while the subsequent ten iVDPV strains distinctly lost it, possibly associated with increased neurovirulence. Nineteen amino-acid substitutions were detected between 12 iVDPVs and the parental Sabin strain, of which only one (K1419R) was found on the subsequent 10 iVDPV isolates, suggesting this site's potential as a temperature-sensitive determination site. A Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov Chain phylogenetic analysis based on the P1 coding region yielded a mean iVDPV evolutionary rate of 1.02 × 10(-2) total substitutions/site/year, and the initial oral-polio-vaccine dose was presumably administered around June 2009. Our findings provide valuable information regarding the genetic structure, high-temperature growth sensitivity, and antigenic properties of iVDPVs following long-term evolution in a single PID patient, thus augmenting the currently limited knowledge regarding the dynamic changes and evolutionary pathway of iVDPV populations with PID during long-term global replication.

        Jorba, J.

      3. Utility of human in vitro data in risk assessments of influenza a virus using the ferret model
        Creager HM, Kieran TJ, Zeng H, Sun X, Pulit-Penaloza JA, Holmes KE, Johnson AF, Tumpey TM, Maines TR, Beauchemin CA, Belser JA.
        J Virol. 2023 01/24/2023:e0153622.
        As influenza A viruses (IAV) continue to cross species barriers and cause human infection, the establishment of risk assessment rubrics has improved pandemic preparedness efforts. In vivo pathogenicity and transmissibility evaluations in the ferret model represent a critical component of this work. As the relative contribution of in vitro experimentation to these rubrics has not been closely examined, we sought to evaluate to what extent viral titer measurements over the course of in vitro infections are predictive or correlates of nasal wash and tissue measurements for IAV infections in vivo. We compiled data from ferrets inoculated with an extensive panel of over 50 human and zoonotic IAV (inclusive of swine-origin and high- and low-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses associated with human infection) under a consistent protocol, with all viruses concurrently tested in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (Calu-3). Viral titers in ferret nasal wash specimens and nasal turbinate tissue correlated positively with peak titer in Calu-3 cells, whereas additional phenotypic and molecular determinants of influenza virus virulence and transmissibility in ferrets varied in their association with in vitro viral titer measurements. Mathematical modeling was used to estimate more generalizable key replication kinetic parameters from raw in vitro viral titers, revealing commonalities between viral infection progression in vivo and in vitro. Meta-analyses inclusive of IAV that display a diverse range of phenotypes in ferrets, interpreted with mathematical modeling of viral kinetic parameters, can provide critical information supporting a more rigorous and appropriate contextualization of in vitro experiments toward pandemic preparedness. IMPORTANCE Both in vitro and in vivo models are employed for assessing the pandemic potential of novel and emerging influenza A viruses in laboratory settings, but systematic examinations of how well viral titer measurements obtained in vitro align with results from in vivo experimentation are not frequently performed. We show that certain viral titer measurements following infection of a human bronchial epithelial cell line are positively correlated with viral titers in specimens collected from virus-inoculated ferrets and employ mathematical modeling to identify commonalities between viral infection progression between both models. These analyses provide a necessary first step in enhanced interpretation and incorporation of in vitro-derived data in risk assessment activities and highlight the utility of employing mathematical modeling approaches to more closely examine features of virus replication not identifiable by experimental studies alone.

        Creager, H. M. Kieran, T. J. Zeng, H. Sun, X. Pulit-Penaloza, J. A. Tumpey, T. M. Maines, T. R. Belser, J. A.

    • Maternal and Child Health
      1. Pandemic isolation and mental health among children
        Brannen DE, Wynn S, Shuster J, Howell M.
        Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2023 01/24/2023:1-19.
        OBJECTIVE: Mental health issues increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among children. Our past research efforts found that surveillance data can address a variety of health concerns; that personal psychological awareness impacted ability to cope, and mental health outcomes were improved when survivors were triaged to mental health countermeasures. To build upon our public health efforts we wanted to see if increased screen time due to remote learning caused by the pandemic influenced school aged children's mental health. METHODS: With the hypothesis that excessive time spent isolated during remote learning increased the amount of mental health events in children, we conducted a public health surveillance project on actual diagnoses rather than just symptoms, controlling for historical mental health and emotional disorders. RESULTS: The entire cohort of children ages 6 to 17 years were studied over time before and during the pandemic for their medically diagnosed mental health and emotional outcomes by the amount of pandemic induced social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for historical diagnoses and the rate of COVID-19, the effect of pandemic induced social isolation had a linear increase on the amount of anxiety, resulting in a four-fold increase in pandemic social isolation-induced anxiety.

        Shuster, J.

      2. Maternal and neonatal risk-appropriate care: gaps, strategies, and areas for further research
        DeSisto CL, Kroelinger CD, Levecke M, Akbarali S, Pliska E, Barfield WD.
        J Perinatol. 2023 01/24/2023.
        Risk-appropriate care is a strategy to improve perinatal health outcomes by providing care to pregnant persons and infants in facilities with the personnel and services capable of meeting their health needs. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials hosted discussions among state health officials, health agency staff, and clinicians to advance risk-appropriate care. The discussions focused on neonatal levels of care, levels of maternal care, ancillary services utilized for care of both populations including transport and telemedicine, and issues affecting provision of care such as standardization of state policies or approaches, reimbursement for services, gaps in risk-appropriate care, and equity. State-identified implementation strategies for improvement were presented. In this Perspective, we summarize current studies describing provision of risk-appropriate care in the United States, identify gaps in research, and highlight ongoing and proposed activities to address research gaps and support state health officials and clinicians.

        DeSisto, C. L. Kroelinger, C. D. Levecke, M. Barfield, W. D.

      3. Prevalence and predictors of breastfeeding duration of 24 or more months
        McGowan A, Li R, Marks KJ, Hamner HC.
        Pediatrics. 2023 01/24/2023.

    • Nutritional Sciences
      1. In situ differences in nitrogen cycling related to presence of submerged aquatic vegetation in a Gulf of Mexico estuary
        Fulford RS, Houghton K, James J, Russell M.
        Ecosphere. 2022 01/24/2023;13(12):e4290.
        Abstract Estuaries provide a suite of ecosystem services to people but are also under heavy stress from human development including excess nutrient loading and alterations in benthic habitat that affect nutrient cycling. Here we examine the interaction of two important and common ecosystem management priorities in estuaries: limiting eutrophication and restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Rates of benthic nitrogen processing can vary by habitat type and there is need for more complete data on the contribution of SAV to overall nitrogen cycling in estuaries, as well as a need to examine nitrogen cycling in situ to better characterize the role of SAV areal coverage in mediating estuarine eutrophication. We compare nitrogen cycling between two common and adjacent habitat types (SAV and adjacent bare sediment [BS]) in an index coastal estuary using an in situ chamber-based approach to better capture realized habitat differences. We also examined genomic community structure of sediment bacteria and archaea to identify biological indicators of nitrogen exchange. Both mean sediment–water exchange of dissolved N2 and microbial functional community structure differed between SAV and BS. Habitat differences were more consistent with lower variability at locations with low salinity and when sediment organic content was highest, which aligns with findings in other studies. Habitat types differed significantly in microbial composition, including functional groups and genes, like nifH, that may contribute to observed differences in nitrogen cycling. Overall, habitat type appeared most important to nitrogen cycling near the river mouth where sediment nitrogen was higher, and this information has implications for integrated management of habitat restoration/conservation and nutrient loading.

        Houghton, K.

    • Occupational Safety and Health
      1. Reinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among previously infected healthcare personnel and first responders
        Akinbami LJ, Biggerstaff BJ, Chan PA, McGibbon E, Pathela P, Petersen LR.
        Clin Infect Dis. 2022 01/24/2023;75(1):e201-e207.
        BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus testing among first responders and healthcare personnel who participated in a May 2020-August 2020 serosurvey that assessed spike protein antibodies provided an opportunity to assess reinfection. METHODS: Serology survey data were merged with virus testing results from Rhode Island (1 March 2020-17 February 2021) and New York City (10 March 2020-14 December 2020). Participants with a positive virus test ≥14 days before their serology test were included. Reinfection was defined as a second positive SARS-CoV-2 test ≥90 days after the first positive test. The association between serostatus and reinfection was assessed with a proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among 1572 previously infected persons, 40 (2.5%) were reinfected. Reinfection differed by serostatus: 8.4% among seronegative vs 1.9% among seropositive participants (P < .0001). Most reinfections occurred among Rhode Island nursing home and corrections personnel (n = 30) who were most frequently tested (mean 30.3 tests vs 4.6 for other Rhode Island and 2.3 for New York City participants). The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for reinfection in seropositive vs seronegative persons was 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], .20-.81). Exposure to a household member with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) before the serosurvey was also protective (aHR, 0.34; 95% CI, .13-.89). CONCLUSIONS: Reinfections were uncommon among previously infected persons over a 9-month period that preceded widespread variant circulation. Seropositivity decreased reinfection risk. Lower reinfection risk associated with exposure to a household member with COVID-19 may reflect subsequently reduced household transmission.

        Akinbami, L. J. Biggerstaff, B. J. Petersen, L. R.

      2. Mental health treatment reported by US workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: United States (2019-2020)
        Gu JK, Charles LE, Allison P, Violanti JM, Andrew ME.
        Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 01/24/2023;20(1).
        The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a significant and unprecedented exacerbation of community mental health challenges. We compared the prevalence of mental health treatment (MHT) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among US workers. Self-reported MHT data (N = 30,680) were obtained from the Sample Adult data of the National Health Interview Survey (2019 and 2020). MHT was defined as having taken prescription medications for mental health issues or receiving counseling from a mental health professional in the past 12 months. We calculated age-adjusted prevalence estimates and employed t-tests to compare MHT in 2019 and 2020 using SAS-callable SUDAAN 11.0. The prevalence of MHT significantly increased from 16.3% in 2019 to 17.6% in 2020 (difference = 1.3, p = 0.030). The prevalence of taking prescription medications for mental health issues significantly increased in 2020 compared to 2019 (12.5% to 13.6%, difference = 1.1, p = 0.037). The prevalence of receiving counseling significantly increased but only among those who worked 30-49 h/week, difference = 1.2, p = 0.022. US workers, especially those with typical work hours, appeared to experience higher mental distress during the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic period. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address mental health issues in these workers.

        Gu, J. K. Charles, L. E. Allison, P. Andrew, M. E.

      3. Dispersion of modified fumed silica in elastomeric nanocomposites
        Okoli U, Rishi K, Beaucage G, Kammler H, McGlasson A, Chauby M, Narayanan V, Grammens J, Kuppa V.
        Polymer. 2023 01/24/2023;264:125407.
        In polymer nanocomposites, surface modification of silica aggregates can shield Coulombic interactions that inhibit agglomeration and formation of a network of agglomerates. Surface modification is usually achieved with silane coupling agents although carbon-coating during pyrolytic silica production is also possible. Pyrogenic silica with varying surface carbon contents were dispersed in styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber to explore the impact on hierarchical dispersion, the emergence of meso-scale structures, and the rheological response. Pristine pyrogenic silica aggregates at concentrations above a critical value (related to the Debye screening length) display correlated meso-scale structures and poor filler network formation in rubber nanocomposites due to the presence of silanol groups on the surface. In the present study, flame synthesized silica with sufficient surface carbon monolayers can mitigate the charge repulsion thereby impacting network structural emergence. The impact of the surface carbon on the van der Waals enthalpic attraction, a∗, is determined. The van der Waals model for polymer nanocomposites is drawn through an analogy between thermal energy, kBT, and the accumulated strain, γ. The rheological response of the emergent meso-scale structures depends on the surface density of both carbon and silanol groups.

        Rishi, Kabir

    • Parasitic Diseases
      1. Malaria among children under 10 years in 4 endemic health areas in Kisantu Health Zone: epidemiology and transmission
        Ilombe G, Matangila JR, Lulebo A, Mutombo P, Linsuke S, Maketa V, Mabanzila B, Wat'senga F, Van Bortel W, Fiacre A, Irish SR, Lutumba P, Van Geertruyden JP.
        Malar J. 2023 01/24/2023;22(1):3.
        BACKGROUND: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second most malaria-affected country in the world with 21,608,681 cases reported in 2019. The Kongo Central (KC) Province has a malaria annual incidence of 163 cases/per 1000 inhabitants which are close to the national average of 153.4/1000. However, the malaria prevalence varies both between and within health zones in this province. The main objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and transmission of malaria among children aged 0 to 10 years in the 4 highest endemic health areas in Kisantu Health Zone (HZ) of KC in DRC. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2017 using multi-stage sampling. A total of 30 villages in 4 health areas in Kisantu HZ were randomly selected. The prevalence of malaria was measured using a thick blood smear (TBS) and known predictors and associated outcomes were assessed. Data are described and association determinants of malaria infection were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 1790 children between 0 and 10 years were included in 30 villages in 4 health areas of Kisantu HZ. The overall prevalence in the study area according to the TBS was 14.8% (95% CI: 13.8-16.6; range: 0-53). The mean sporozoite rate in the study area was 4.3% (95% CI: 2.6-6.6). The determination of kdr-west resistance alleles showed the presence of both L1014S and L1014F with 14.6% heterozygous L1014S/L1014F, 84.4% homozygous 1014F, and 1% homozygous 1014S. The risk factors associated with malaria infection were ground or wooden floors aOR: 15.8 (95% CI: 8.6-29.2), a moderate or severe underweight: 1.5 (1.1-2.3) and to be overweight: 1.9 (95% CI: 1.3-2.7). CONCLUSION: Malaria prevalence differed between villages and health areas within the same health zone. The control strategy activities must be oriented by the variety in the prevalence and transmission of malaria in different areas. The policy against malaria regarding long-lasting insecticidal nets should be based on the evidence of metabolic resistance.

        Irish, S. R.

    • Public Health Leadership and Management
      1. Benefits and challenges of consolidating public health functions into a National Public Health Institute: A policy analysis
        Carnevale CR, Woldetsadik MA, Shiver A, Gutierrez M, Chhea C, Ilori E, Jani I, MaCauley J, Mukonka V, Nsanzimana S, Ospina ML, Raji T, Spotts Whitney EA, Bratton S.
        Health Policy Plan. 2023 01/24/2023.
        National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) around the world vary in composition. Consolidated organizational models can bring together critical functions such as disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, public health research, workforce development, and laboratory diagnosis within a single focal point. This can lead to enhanced coordination and management of resources and enable more efficient and effective public health operations. We explored stakeholders' perceptions about the benefits and challenges of consolidating public health functions in an NPHI in seven countries where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has supported NPHI establishment and strengthening. From August 2019 through January 2020, we interviewed a total of 96 stakeholders, including NPHI staff (N=43), non-NPHI government staff (N=29), and non-governmental and international organization staff (N=24) in Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. We conducted a policy analysis using Tea Collins's health policy analysis framework to assess various possible options for coordinating public health functions and their likely effectiveness. The findings can be used by policymakers as they consider public health infrastructure. We found that consolidating functions in an NPHI, to the extent politically and organizationally feasible, promotes efficiency, flexibility, and coordination, as well as supports data-driven health recommendations to government decision-makers. Countries pursuing NPHI establishment can weigh the potential challenges and benefits of consolidating functions when determining which public health functions will comprise the NPHI, including clarity of role, access to resources, influence over decisions, and political viability.

        Carnevale, C. R. Woldetsadik, M. A. Shiver, A. Gutierrez, M. Bratton, S.

    • Reproductive Health
      1. Embryo donation: national trends and outcomes, 2004-2019
        Lee JC, DeSantis CE, Boulet SL, Kawwass JF.
        Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration amended existing regulations to increase access to donated embryos for reproductive use. Current information regarding the characteristics and outcomes of embryo donation cycles could benefit patients and providers during counseling and decision making. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the trends in the utilization of embryo donation, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates per transfer between 2004 and 2019 and to describe the recipients of donated embryos and outcomes of frozen donated embryo transfer cycles during the most recent time period, that is, 2016 to 2019. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of frozen donated embryo transfer cycles in United States fertility clinics reporting to the National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System during 2004 to 2019. The trends in the annual number and proportion of frozen donated embryo transfers, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates from 2004 to 2019 were described. During 2016 to 2019, the rates of cycle cancellation, pregnancy, miscarriage, live birth, singleton birth, and good perinatal outcome (delivery ≥37 weeks, birthweight ≥2500 g) of frozen donated embryo transfers were also calculated. Transfer and pregnancy outcomes stratified by oocyte source age at the time of oocyte retrieval were also described. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2019, there were 21,060 frozen donated embryo transfers in the United States, resulting in 8457 live births. During this period, the annual number and proportion of frozen donated embryo transfers with respect to all transfers increased, as did the pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Among all initiated cycles during 2016 to 2019, the cancellation rate was 8.2%. Among 8773 transfers with known outcomes, 4685 (53.4%) resulted in pregnancy and 3820 (43.5%) in live birth. Among all pregnancies, 814 (17.4%) resulted in miscarriage. Among all live births, 3223 (84.4%) delivered a singleton, of which 2474 (76.8%) had a good perinatal outcome. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per frozen donated embryo transfer decreased with increasing age of oocyte source. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of embryo donation cycles reported in this national cohort may aid patients and providers when considering the use of donated embryos.

        DeSantis, C. E.

      2. Pregnant women's experiences during and after hurricanes Irma and Maria, pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system, Puerto Rico, 2018
        Simeone RM, House LD, Salvesen von Essen B, Kortsmit K, Hernandez Virella W, Vargas Bernal MI, Galang RR, D'Angelo DV, Shapiro-Mendoza CK, Ellington SR.
        Public Health Rep. 2023 01/24/2023:333549221142571.
        OBJECTIVE: Exposure to natural disasters during and after pregnancy may increase adverse mental health outcomes. Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. Our objectives were to understand hurricane-related experiences, maternal health concerns, and the impact of hurricane experiences on postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS). METHODS: We used data from the 2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to describe differences in maternal hurricane experiences among women who were pregnant during and after the 2017 hurricanes. We assessed maternal concerns and PDS. We estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% CIs for the associations between hurricane experiences and PDS. RESULTS: The most frequently reported hurricane experiences were losing power for ≥1 week (97%) and feeling unsafe due to lack of order/security (70%). Almost 30% of women who were pregnant during the hurricanes reported missing prenatal care. PDS were reported by 13% of women. Most hurricane experiences were associated with an increased prevalence of PDS. Feeling unsafe (aPR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.9) and having difficulty getting food (aPR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-4.1) had the strongest associations. CONCLUSIONS: Most women who were pregnant during or after hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico reported negative hurricane experiences, and most experiences were associated with an increased prevalence of PDS. Understanding the experiences of pregnant women during and after disasters and identifying risks for adverse mental health outcomes after pregnancy are important to inform emergency preparedness and prenatal and postpartum care.

        Simeone, R. M. House, L. D. Salvesen von Essen, B. Kortsmit, K. Galang, R. R. D'Angelo, D. V. Shapiro-Mendoza, C. K. Ellington, S. R.

    • Telehealth and Telemedicine
      1. Development of a mobile app to increase uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among latino sexual minority men: A qualitative needs assessment
        Cantos VD, Hagen KS, Duarte AP, Escobar C, Batina I, Orozco H, Rodriguez J, Camacho-Gonzalez AF, Siegler AJ.
        JMIR Form Res. 2023 01/24/2023.
        BACKGROUND: Latino sexual minority men (SMM) are disproportionally impacted by HIV. Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an effective biomedical intervention to prevent HIV acquisition, is low in this group compared to White SMM. Mobile technology (mHealth) represents an innovative strategy to increase PrEP uptake among Latino SMM. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the qualitative process that led to the development of SaludFindr, a comprehensive HIV prevention mobile app that aims to increase PrEP uptake, HIV testing, and condom use by Latino SMM. METHODS: We conducted 13 in-depth interviews with Latino SMM living in metropolitan Atlanta to explore the main barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake in this group and analyze their overall opinions of potential SaludFindr app functionalities. To explore potential app functions, we used HealthMindr, an existing comprehensive HIV prevention app, as a template and added new proposed features intended to address the specific needs of this community. RESULTS: We identified general PrEP uptake barriers that, although common among non-Latino groups, had added complexities such as the influence of religion and family on stigma. Low perceived PrEP eligibility, intersectional stigma, lack of insurance, cost concerns, and misconceptions about PrEP side effects, were described as general barriers. We also identified Latino-specific barriers that predominantly hinder access to existing services, including a scarcity of PrEP clinics that are prepared to provide culturally-concordant services, limited availability of Spanish-language written information related to PrEP access, distrust of peers as credible sources of information, perceived ineligibility for low-cost services due to undocumented status, fear of immigration authorities, and competing work obligations that prevent PrEP clinic attendance. Healthcare providers represented a trusted source of information and three provider characteristics were identified as PrEP facilitators: familiarity prescribing PrEP, being Latino, and being part of LGBTQIA+ or ally. The proposed app was very well accepted, with particularly high interest in features that facilitate PrEP access, including a tailored list of clinics that meet the community needs and a private platform where app users can gather reliable PrEP information. Spanish language availability and free or low-cost PrEP care represented the two main clinic criteria that would facilitate PrEP uptake. Latino representation in clinic staff and providers, perception of the clinic as a "safe-space" for undocumented patients, and LGBTQIA+ representation were listed as additional criteria. Only 8 our of the 47 clinics listed on PrEP locator.org for the Atlanta area fulfilled at least the two main criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence of the significant barriers to PrEP uptake that Latino SMM face, exposes the urgent need to increase the number of accessible PrEP-providing clinics for Latino SMM, and proposes an innovative, community-driven, and mobile technology-based tool as a future intervention to overcome some of those barriers.

        Duarte, A. P.

    • Zoonotic and Vectorborne Diseases
      1. First molecular identification of multiple tick-borne pathogens in livestock within Kassena-Nankana, Ghana
        Addo S, Bentil R, Yartey K, Ansah-Owusu J, Behene E, Opoku-Agyeman P, Bruku S, Asoala V, Mate S, Larbi J, Baidoo P, Wilson M, Diclaro J, Dadzie S.
        Anim Dis. 2023 01/24/2023;3(1):1.
        The risk of pathogen transmission continues to increase significantly in the presence of tick vectors due to the trade of livestock across countries. In Ghana, there is a lack of data on the incidence of tick-borne pathogens that are of zoonotic and veterinary importance. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the prevalence of such pathogens in livestock using molecular approaches. A total of 276 dry blood spots were collected from cattle (100), sheep (95) and goats (81) in the Kassena-Nankana Districts. The samples were analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and conventional assays and Sanger sequencing that targeted pathogens including Rickettsia, Coxiella, Babesia, Theileria, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. An overall prevalence of 36.96% was recorded from the livestock DBS, with mixed infections seen in 7.97% samples. Furthermore, the prevalence of infections in livestock was recorded to be 19.21% in sheep, 14.13% in cattle, and 3.62% in goats. The pathogens identified were Rickettsia spp. (3.26%), Babesia sp. Lintan (8.70%), Theileria orientalis (2.17%), Theileria parva (0.36%), Anaplasma capra (18.48%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.81%), Anaplasma marginale (3.26%) and Anaplasma ovis (7.25%). This study reports the first molecular identification of the above-mentioned pathogens in livestock in Ghana and highlights the use of dry blood spots in resource-limited settings. In addition, this research provides an update on tick-borne pathogens in Ghana, suggesting risks to livestock production and human health. Further studies will be essential to establish the distribution and epidemiology of these pathogens in Ghana.

        Diclaro, Joseph W.


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.