Saturday, January 30, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Zika virus may not be in South Florida yet, but it has the potential to be | Miami Herald
Although no one has yet contracted the mosquito-borne Zika virus in South Florida, history shows a familiar pattern.
The type of mosquito capable of carrying and spreading the disease, the Aedes aegyptimosquito, is not uncommon in South Florida. It’s the same mosquito that has transmitted the tropical diseases of yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya, pronounced chik-en-gun-ye and characterized by high fever.
Zika virus may not be in South Florida yet, but it has the potential to be | Miami Herald
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Ahead of Print -Leveraging Advances in Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment to Address Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
The nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), defined as any mycobacterial pathogen other thanMycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium leprae, are a diverse group of pathogens that collectively cause a substantive but often unappreciated worldwide burden of illness. Although NTMs may cause illness similar to M. tuberculosis, these pathogens generally do not respond to classic tuberculosis (TB) drug regimens, resulting in misdiagnosis and poor treatment, particularly in resource-poor settings. Although a few high-quality epidemiologic surveys have been made on the topic, existing evidence suggests that NTM-associated disease is much more common than previously thought: more common than TB in the industrialized world and likely increasing in prevalence globally. Despite this evidence, these organisms remain markedly understudied, and few international grants support basic science and clinical research. Here we suggest that the considerable efforts in developing new treatments and diagnostics for TB can be harnessed in the fight against NTM-associated illnesses.
Ahead of Print -Leveraging Advances in Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment to Address Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Leveraging Advances in Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment to Address Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Methylotroph Infections and Chronic Granulomatous Disease - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by a defect in production of phagocyte-derived reactive oxygen species, which leads to recurrent infections with a characteristic group of pathogens not previously known to include methylotrophs. Methylotrophs are versatile environmental bacteria that can use single-carbon organic compounds as their sole source of energy; they rarely cause disease in immunocompetent persons. We have identified 12 infections with methylotrophs (5 reported here, 7 previously reported) in patients with CGD. Methylotrophs identified were Granulibacter bethesdensis (9 cases), Acidomonas methanolica (2 cases), and Methylobacterium lusitanum (1 case). Two patients in Europe died; the other 10, from North and Central America, recovered after prolonged courses of antimicrobial drug therapy and, for some, surgery. Methylotrophs are emerging as disease-causing organisms in patients with CGD. For all patients, sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was required for correct diagnosis. Geographic origin of the methylotroph strain may affect clinical management and prognosis.
Ahead of Print -Methylotroph Infections and Chronic Granulomatous Disease - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Methylotroph Infections and Chronic Granulomatous Disease - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Global Introduction of New Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Drugs—Balancing Regulation with Urgent Patient Needs - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
New treatments for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) are urgently needed. Two new drugs, bedaquiline and delamanid, have recently been released, and several new drugs and treatment regimens are in the pipeline. Misuse of TB drugs is a principal cause of drug resistance. As new drugs and regimens reach the market, the need to make them available to patients must be balanced with regulation of their use so that resistance to the new drugs can be prevented. To foster the rational use of new drugs, we propose 1) expanding/strengthening the capacity for drug susceptibility testing, beginning with countries with a high TB burden; 2) regulating prescribing practices by banning over-the-counter sale of TB drugs and enacting an accreditation system whereby providers must be certified to prescribe new drugs; and 3) decentralizing MDR TB care in rural communities by employing trained community health workers, using promising mobile technologies, and enlisting the aid of civil society organizations.
Ahead of Print -Global Introduction of New Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Drugs—Balancing Regulation with Urgent Patient Needs - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Global Introduction of New Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Drugs—Balancing Regulation with Urgent Patient Needs - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Monday, January 25, 2016
Ahead of Print -Underestimation of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Italy - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Knowing the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is essential for planning appropriate vaccination policies. However, IMD may be underestimated because of misdiagnosis or insufficiently sensitive laboratory methods. Using a national molecular surveillance register, we assessed the number of cases misdiagnosed and diagnoses obtained postmortem with real-time PCR (rPCR), and we compared sensitivity of rPCR versus culture-based testing. A total of 222 IMD cases were identified: 11 (42%) of 26 fatal cases had been misdiagnosed or undiagnosed and were reclassified as IMD after rPCR showed meningococcal DNA in all available specimens taken postmortem. Of the samples tested with both rPCR and culture, 58% were diagnosed by using rPCR alone. The underestimation factor associated with the use of culture alone was 3.28. In countries such as Italy, where rPCR is in limited use, IMD incidence may be largely underestimated; thus, assessments of benefits of meningococcal vaccination may be prone to error.
Ahead of Print -Underestimation of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Italy - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Underestimation of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Italy - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses Reintroduced into South Korea by Migratory Waterfowl, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses were isolated from migratory waterfowl in South Korea during fall 2014–winter 2015, a recurrence after initial introduction in winter 2014. These reappeared viruses were phylogenetically distinct from isolates circulating in poultry farms in South Korea.
Ahead of Print -Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses Reintroduced into South Korea by Migratory Waterfowl, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses Reintroduced into South Korea by Migratory Waterfowl, 2014–2015 - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Changes in Predominance of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Profiles of Bordetella pertussis Isolates, United States, 2000–2012 - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
To clarify the characteristics of circulating Bordetella pertussis isolates, we used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to analyze 5,262 isolates collected in the United States during 2000–2012. We found 199 PFGE profiles; 5 profiles accounted for 72% of isolates. The most common profile, CDC013, accounted for 35%–46% of isolates tested from 2000–2009; however, the proportion of isolates of this profile rapidly decreased in 2010. Profile CDC237, first seen in 2009, increased rapidly and accounted for 29% of 2012 isolates. No location bias was observed among profiles during 2000–2010, but differences were observed among isolates from different states during 2012. Predominant profiles match those observed in recent European PFGE studies. PFGE profile changes are concurrent with other recent molecular changes in B. pertussis and may be contributing to the reemergence of pertussis in the United States. Continued PFGE monitoring is critical for understanding the changing epidemiology of pertussis.
Ahead of Print -Changes in Predominance of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Profiles of Bordetella pertussis Isolates, United States, 2000–2012 - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Changes in Predominance of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Profiles of Bordetella pertussis Isolates, United States, 2000–2012 - Volume 22, Number 3—March 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Zika virus: What you need to know about the latest global health scare
You may not have heard of it until very recently, but new cases of the Zika virus continue to pop up around the world. Spreading mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean, the virus has now been confirmed in three travelers from the UK.
A statement from Public Health England said those infected had recently traveled through South America, but it is not clear if the people involved have since returned to the UK.
https://www.rt.com/news/329880-zika-virus-global-scare/
Beards host less antibiotic-resistant bacteria than shaven face – study — RT News
Bearded men are less likely to harbor infection-causing and antibiotic-resistant bacteria than their clean-shaven counterparts, a new scientific study has revealed after swabbing the faces of over 400 hospital workers for various pathogens.
The study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, examined the faces of 408 healthcare professional with and without facial hair, to reveal that not having a beard actually increased your chances threefold of having Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on their cheeks than men with beards.
Beards host less antibiotic-resistant bacteria than shaven face – study — RT News
Thousands infected in Tanzania cholera outbreak - Al Jazeera English
At least 222 are dead, while reported cases have risen to 14,303 since August as government battles to contain disease.
Thousands infected in Tanzania cholera outbreak - Al Jazeera English
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
Where’s the flu? | fox4kc.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The flu is a winter visitor that no one wants to host. So far this season, we haven't had to. There have been remarkably few cases compared to last.
At Olathe Family Practice, empty chairs in the waiting room tell you something about this flu season.
Where’s the flu? | fox4kc.com
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Ahead of Print -Dogs and Opossums Positive for Vaccinia Virus during Outbreak Affecting Cattle and Humans, São Paulo State, Brazil - Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
During a vaccinia virus (VACV) outbreak in São Paulo State, Brazil, blood samples were collected from cows, humans, other domestic animals, and wild mammals. Samples from 3 dogs and 3 opossums were positive for VACV by PCR. Results of gene sequencing yielded major questions regarding other mammalian species acting as reservoirs of VACV.
Ahead of Print -Dogs and Opossums Positive for Vaccinia Virus during Outbreak Affecting Cattle and Humans, São Paulo State, Brazil - Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -Dogs and Opossums Positive for Vaccinia Virus during Outbreak Affecting Cattle and Humans, São Paulo State, Brazil - Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -High Prevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi among Adult Blacklegged Ticks from White-Tailed Deer - Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
We compared the prevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi infection in questing and deer-associated adult Ixodes scapularis ticks in Wisconsin, USA. Prevalence among deer-associated ticks (4.5% overall, 7.1% in females) was significantly higher than among questing ticks (1.0% overall, 0.6% in females). Deer may be a sylvatic reservoir for this newly recognized zoonotic pathogen.
Ahead of Print -High Prevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi among Adult Blacklegged Ticks from White-Tailed Deer - Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Ahead of Print -High Prevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi among Adult Blacklegged Ticks from White-Tailed Deer - Volume 22, Number 2—February 2016 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC
Monday, January 4, 2016
Dengue fever spreads in Yemeni city ravaged by cyclone - Al Jazeera English
Mukalla's fight against the disease is hampered by a sewage crisis and the fact that al-Qaeda controls the city.
Dengue fever spreads in Yemeni city ravaged by cyclone - Al Jazeera English
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Beyond Ebola: The virus hunters
Scientists are studying the world's deadliest viruses to find treatments and vaccines for new infectious diseases.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/techknow/2016/01/ebola-virus-hunters-160101140929402.html
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)