Issue 44, November 5, 2012

Vol. 4, Issue: 44, 11/5/12

One of several recent CDC authored articles on a large mumps outbreak leads off this week’s featured articles. AE Barskeyexternal icon and colleagues, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, conclude that this outbreak within an Orthodox Jewish community was facilitated by intensity of exposure, while high rates of full vaccination coverage reduced disease severity and overall transmission. A disease more newly preventable by vaccination, rotavirus, is the subject of the modeling study conducted by MM Patelexternal icon et al, who find that in low and middle income countries, less age-restrictive use of rotavirus vaccine has the potential to save additional lives.

The complex intertwinings of two globally important communicable diseases-TB and HIV-are analyzed by a JS Cavanaughexternal icon led group, who find a difference in mortality between smear-negative pulmonary TB in patients with HIV in the US compared to similar patients in high-burden TB countries. Staying “globally local”, a report from Oregon led by ML Eberhardexternal icon documents only the second domestic case of ocular onchocerciasis.

Diverse aspects of laboratory science are featured prominently in Clips this week. A report from the Association for Molecular Pathology first authored by I Schrijverexternal icon provides a comprehensive overview of clinical diagnostic genome sequencing. The study by GS Buzardexternal icon et al, which represents a collaboration between CDC and the U.S. Army Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, provides details on optimal use of real-time PCR for detection of bioterrorism threat agents. Also writing about real-time PCR, KM Tatti and ML Tondellaexternal icon summarize use of this method for diagnosis of Bordatella species, including the causative agent of pertussis.

We conclude this week’s features with articles related broadly to environmental and occupational health. Perceptions of the safety of tap water might impact intake of plain water and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to survey data published by SJ Onufrakexternal icon and colleagues. EJ Sinkuleexternal icon and colleagues report an evaluation of N95 respirator use with a surgical mask cover on breathing resistance and inhaled carbon dioxide, an analysis which may have implications for pandemic respiratory protection recommendations. Finally, the animal data presented by P Stapleton et al about the impact of inhaled carbon nanotubes on coronary vascular resistance provides a cautionary note about potential toxicities of nanotechnology.

John Iskander

Editor, Science Clips


  1. Top Ten Articles of the Week

    Selected weekly by a senior CDC scientist from the standard sections listed below.

  2. 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.

  3. Key Scientific Articles in Featured Topic Areas

    Subject matter experts decide what topic to feature, and articles are selected from the last 3 to 6 months of published literature. Key topic coincides monthly with other CDC products (e.g. Vital Signs).

  4. Public Health Articles Noted in the Media

    Articles about important public health topics that have been mentioned in the press.

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CDC Science Clips Production Staff:

  • John Iskander, MD MPH, Editor
  • Rebecca Satterthwaite, MS, Librarian
  • Gail Bang, MLIS, Librarian
  • Deidre Thomas, MLS, Librarian
  • Kathleen Connick, MSLS, Librarian
  • Joseph Dunlap, Web Developer

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DISCLAIMER: Articles listed in the CDC Science Clips are selected by the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library to provide current awareness of the public health literature. An article’s inclusion does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article’s methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

Page last reviewed: January 31, 2019