BACKGROUND A better understanding of the risk for COVID-19 that people experiencing homelessness (PEH) face in congregate shelters versus unsheltered encampments is critical for an effective pandemic response. METHODS We analyzed factors associated with current and past SARS-CoV-2 infection among PEH in day and overnight shelters and encampments in Denver, Colorado, during June 2-July 28, 2020, and

BACKGROUND Uptake of HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been increasing in the United States since its FDA approval in 2012; however, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected this trend. Our objective was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PrEP prescriptions in the United States. METHODS We analyzed data from a national pharmacy database from January 2017 through March 2021 to fit

BACKGROUND Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common infectious diseases globally. Community surveillance may provide a more comprehensive picture of disease burden than medically-attended illness alone. METHODS In this longitudinal study conducted from 2012-2017 in the Washington Heights/Inwood area of New York City, we enrolled 405 households with 1,915 individuals. Households were sent

BACKGROUND People in prison are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to overcrowding and challenges in implementing infection prevention and control measures. We examined the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and associated carceral risk factors among incarcerated adult men in Quebec, Canada. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study in 2021 in three provincial prisons, representing

BACKGROUND Several studies have investigated whether pregnancy is a risk factor for developing severe COVID-19; however, the results remain controversial. In addition, the information regarding risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 in pregnant women is limited. METHODS A retrospective cohort study analyzing the data from the nationwide COVID-19 registry in Japan was conducted. Propensity score

While SARS-CoV-2 vaccines prevent severe disease effectively, post-vaccination 'breakthrough' COVID-19 infections and transmission among vaccinated individuals remain ongoing concerns. We present an in-depth characterization of transmission and immunity among vaccinated individuals in a household, revealing complex dynamics and unappreciated comorbidities, including autoimmunity to type1 interferon

BACKGROUND The effect of pneumococcal vaccination of mothers with HIV on infant responses to childhood vaccination has not been studied. We compared the immunogenicity of PCV-10 in HIV-exposed uninfected infants born to mothers who received PCV-10, PPV-23 or placebo during pregnancy. METHODS Antibody levels against seven serotypes were measured at birth, before the 1 st and 2 nd doses of PCV-10 and

Our case report describes the rapid detection of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant using a combination of targeted spike SNP PCR and viral genome sequencing. This case occurred in a fully vaccinated and boosted returning traveler with mild symptoms who was identified through community surveillance rather than presentation for clinical care.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination in persons with prior COVID-19. METHODS Employees of Cleveland Clinic working in Ohio on Dec 16, 2020, the day COVID-19 vaccination was started, were included. Anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 at least once before the study start date was considered previously infected. One was considered vaccinated 14

RATIONALE Safety of treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) can be an obstacle to treatment completion. OBJECTIVES Evaluate safety of longer MDR/RR-TB regimens containing bedaquiline and/or delamanid. METHODS Multicentre (16 countries), prospective, observational study, reporting incidence and frequency of clinically relevant adverse events of special interest (AESI) amongst patients

A key aim of serosurveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic has been to estimate the prevalence of prior infection, by correcting crude seroprevalence against estimated test performance for PCR-confirmed COVID-19. We show that poor generalisability of sensitivity estimates to some target populations may lead to substantial underestimation of case numbers.

BACKGROUND Predominance of 2 antigenically drifted influenza viruses during the 2019-2020 season offered an opportunity to assess vaccine effectiveness against life-threatening pediatric influenza disease from vaccine-mismatched viruses in the United States. METHODS We enrolled children aged <18 years admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory infection across 17 hospitals. Respiratory

We assessed environmental contamination of inpatient rooms housing COVID-19 patients in a dedicated COVID-19 unit. Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 was found on 5.5% (19/347) of surfaces via RT-PCR and 0.3% (1/347) of surfaces via cell culture. Environmental contamination is uncommon in hospitals rooms; RNA presence is not a specific indicator of infectious virus.

We analyzed samples obtained at baseline and 24 months in a mass azithromycin administration trial in Niger using qPCR. In villages randomized to azithromycin, Shigella was the only pathogen reduced at 24 months (prevalence ratio: 0.36, 95% CI 0.17, 0.79 and -0.42 difference in log quantity, 95% CI -0.75, -0.10).

We analyzed a national pharmacy database to estimate the annual number of persons who abandoned their PrEP prescription and assessed the associated factors. About 9% of persons prescribed PrEP abandoned it in 2019, and PrEP abandonment was associated with sex, age, insurance type, black race/ethnicity, and drug copayment amount.

BACKGROUND The degree to which the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will affect the US human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is unclear. METHODS We used the Johns Hopkins Epidemiologic and Economic Model to project HIV infections from 2020 to 2025 in 32 US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). We sampled a range of effects of the pandemic on sexual transmission (0-50% reduction)

BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of hospital-associated antibiotic-related diarrhea and deaths worldwide. Vancomycin is one of the few antibiotics recommended for both nonsevere and severe CDI cases. We sought to determine whether vancomycin nonsusceptible C. difficile strains are circulating in the patient population. METHODS Stool samples from patients with CDI

BACKGROUND COVID-19 vaccines are implemented worldwide in efforts to curb the pandemic. This study investigates the risk of a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test following BNT162b2 vaccination in a large real-life population in Denmark. METHODS Vaccination status and positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results from adults in the Capital Region of Denmark (n=1,549,488) were obtained from national registries. PCR

INTRODUCTION The chest radiograph (CR) remains a key tool in the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis (TB). In children with presumptive intrathoracic TB, we aimed to identify CR features which had high specificity for, and were strongly associated with, bacteriologically confirmed TB. METHODS We analyzed CR data from children with presumptive intrathoracic TB prospectively enrolled in a cohort study

Testing programs for SARS-CoV-2 have relied on high-throughput PCR laboratories and rapid antigen assays to meet diagnostic needs. Both technologies are essential, however issues of cost, accessibility, manufacturing delays and performance have limited their use in low resource settings and contributed to the global inequity in Covid-19 testing. Emerging low-cost, multi-disease point-of-care nucleic

RATIONALE Blood-based biomarkers for diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB), monitoring treatment response and predicting risk of progression to TB disease have been reported. However, validation of the biomarkers across multiple independent cohorts is scarce. A robust platform to validate TB biomarkers in different populations with clinical endpoints is essential to the development of a point-of-care

BACKGROUND GSK3640254 (GSK'254) is a next-generation HIV-1 maturation inhibitor with pharmacokinetics (PK) supporting once-daily therapy. METHODS This phase IIa double-blind (sponsor-unblinded), randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive study evaluated antiviral effect, safety, tolerability, and PK of once-daily GSK'254 monotherapy administered with food (moderate-fat meal) in HIV-1-positive, treatment-naive

Immunoglobulins and/or therapeutic antibody preparations are associated with a high rate of false-positive (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) tests in onco-hematological patients routinely screened for fungal infections. The benefit of BDG monitoring shall be balanced against the risk of false-positive tests leading to unnecessary investigations and costs in this population.

BACKGROUND Several studies indicate that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted within indoor spaces. Therefore, environmental characterization of SARS-CoV-2 viral load with respect to human activity, building parameters, and environmental mitigation strategies is critical to combat disease transmission. METHODS We recruited 11 participants diagnosed with COVID-19 to individually occupy a controlled chamber

BACKGROUND This study quantifies the mortality attributable to Candida bloodstream infections (BSI) in the modern era of echinocandins. DESIGN We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital, a 1,368-bed tertiary care academic hospital, in Saint Louis, Missouri from 1/2/2012-4/30/2019. We identified 626 adult patients with Candida BSI that were frequency-matched

BACKGROUND Systemic drug reaction (SDR) is a major safety concern with weekly rifapentine-based treatment (3HP) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Identifying SDR predictors and at-risk subjects before treatment can improve cost-effectiveness of the LTBI program. METHODS We prospectively recruited 187 cases receiving 3HP (44 SDRs and 143 non-SDRs). A pilot cohort (8 SDRs and 12 non-SDRs) was

Treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFI) remains challenging, because of the limitations of the current antifungal agents (i.e. mode of administration, toxicity, drug-drug interactions), and the emergence of resistant fungal pathogens. Therefore, there is an urgent need to expand our antifungal armamentarium. Several compounds are reaching the stage of phase II or III clinical assessment. These

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of specific antifungal treatment is essential for improving the prognosis of mucormycosis. We aimed to assess the performance of serum Mucorales quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the early diagnosis and follow-up of mucormycosis. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 232 patients with suspicion of invasive mold disease, evaluated using standard imaging and mycological

This retrospective study of incoming travelers with COVID-19 showed that individuals immunized by mRNA vaccines had significantly longer post-vaccination interval (median: 30.5 days) to breakthrough infection, lower WBC and LDH on admission, and less radiographic abnormalities than those immunized by inactivated virus vaccine who paradoxically had lower respiratory viral load.

BACKGROUND Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection is challenging to cure due to rising antimicrobial resistance and limited treatment options. METHODS This was a prospective evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of resistance-guided combination antimicrobial therapy for MG-treatment at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (August 2019-December 2020). All patients received 7-days doxycycline prior to

INTRODUCTION Evidence describing the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the recurrence and mutation rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is limited. METHODS This study was nested in three cohort studies of tuberculosis (TB) patients with and without DM in India. Paired Mtb isolates recovered at baseline and treatment failure/recurrence underwent whole genome sequencing. We compared acquisition

BACKGROUND Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) infection can manifest in different states including sub-clinical tuberculosis (scTB) that is commonly defined as confirmed TB without having the classical symptoms (commonly persistent cough for ≥2 weeks). This narrow definition likely poses limitations for surveillance and control measures. The aims of the current study were to characterize the clinical presentation

BACKGROUND Mortality among adults with HIV remains elevated over mortality in the US general population even in the years after entry into HIV care. We explore whether the elevation in 5-year mortality would have persisted if all adults with HIV had initiated antiretroviral therapy within 3 months of entering care. METHODS Among 82,766 adults entering HIV care at North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration

BACKGROUND There are few data on the utility of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) in dried blood spots to predict future viral load (VL) in postpartum women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS We conducted a nested case-control study within a trial of postpartum ART delivery strategies. Participants started ART containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in pregnancy, were <10 weeks postpartum

In November 2021, the World Health Organization designated a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, Omicron (PANGO lineage B.1.1.529). We report on first two cases of breakthrough COVID-19 caused by Omicron in Japan among international travelers returning from the country with undetected infection. The spread of infection by Omicron were considered.

Over 40% of people with HIV (PWH) in the US smoke tobacco cigarettes. Among those on antiretroviral therapy, smoking decreases life expectancy more than HIV itself. Most PWH who smoke want to quit, but tobacco dependence treatment has not been widely integrated into HIV care. This article summarizes the epidemiology of tobacco use among PWH, health consequences of tobacco use and benefits of cessation

BACKGROUND Data on the clinical presentation are scarce and prognostic factors of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) meningitis remain unknown. METHODS Prospective, nationwide, population-based database identifying all adults treated for HSV-2 meningitis at departments of infectious diseases in Denmark from 2015-2020. Unfavorable outcome was defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 1-4 and

BACKGROUND CMV seropositive (R+) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients have a survival disparity compared with CMV seronegative recipient/donor (R-D-) pairs. We hypothesized that primary letermovir prophylaxis (LET) may abrogate this disparity. We investigated the relationship between LET and mortality at 1year post-HCT. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we included adult R-D- or

BACKGROUND Patients with immunodeficiency-associated antibody disorders are at a higher risk of prolonged/persistent COVID-19 infection, having no viable treatment options. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients with primary and/or secondary immunodeficiency-associated antibody disorders who received casirivimab and imdevimab (REGEN-COV ®) under emergency compassionate use. OBJECTIVES describe

BACKGROUND Some nonhuman primate Plasmodium species including P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi can cross-transmit from macaque natural hosts to humans under natural infection. This study aims to retrospectively explore other simian Plasmodium species in the blood samples of symptomatic malaria patients in Thailand. METHODS A total of 5271 blood samples from acute febrile patients from 5 malaria endemic

BACKGROUND Australia introduced a school-based gender-neutral human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for schoolgirls and boys aged 12-13 years in 2013. We examined HPV type specific antibody levels in unvaccinated young men who have sex with men (MSM) with natural infection and compared these to levels in those vaccinated against HPV. METHODS Serum specimens at baseline were collected from

We reviewed C.difficile positive patients discharged on fidaxomicin after local adoption of 2021C.difficile infection (CDI) guidelines. From June 14 - Oct 3, 2021, 80% (12/15) had copayments $0-$35, and 27% (4/15) required prior authorization. The 30-day CDI recurrence was 7%.

BACKGROUND Brain abscesses are frequently caused by oral cavity bacteria, but whether dental status and invasive dental procedures are important risk factors is unknown. METHODS A nationwide, population-based, case-control study examined the association between dentist's visits and invasive dental procedures and risk of brain abscess caused by oral cavity bacteria from 1989-2016. Date of brain abscess

BACKGROUND Little is known about the joint associations of multiple lifestyle risk factors including smoking, low body mass index (BMI), physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and low diet quality with risk of active tuberculosis. METHODS We analyzed data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a prospective cohort study of 63257 Chinese adults aged 45-74 years enrolled between 1993 and 1998. Incident

BACKGROUND Sepsis causes a major health burden in the United States. To better understand the role of sepsis as a driver of the burden and cost of foodborne illness in the United States, we estimated the frequency and treatment cost of sepsis among U.S. patients hospitalized with 31 pathogens commonly transmitted through food or with unspecified AGI. METHODS Using data from the National Inpatient Sample

BACKGROUND While increasing coverage of effective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emergent variants raise concerns about breakthrough infection. Data are limited, however, whether breakthrough infection during the epidemic of the variant is ascribed to insufficient vaccine-induced immunogenicity. METHODS We described incident COVID-19 in relation to the vaccination program among

BACKGROUND Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have significantly reduced pneumococcal disease, but disease from non-PCV serotypes remains. Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a 20-valent PCV (PCV20) were evaluated. METHODS This pivotal phase 3, randomized, double-blind study enrolled adults into 3 age groups (≥60, 50-59, 18-49 years) at US and Swedish sites. Participants were randomized

BACKGROUND Improved understanding of the epidemiology and mortality risk factors of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) may facilitate successful diagnosis and management. METHODS We analyzed national surveillance data from Ukraine to characterize EPTB subtypes (i.e., localized in different anatomic sites). We calculated annual reported incidence, stratified by age, sex, and HIV status. Using Cox regression

BACKGROUND Enterococcus intestinal domination (EID), a state of dysbiosis wherein enterococci comprise ≥30% abundance within the microbiota, has been associated with Enterococcus bacteremia, graft-versus-host disease, and mortality in the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo HCT) population. The acute leukemia (AL) chemotherapy population includes patients receiving intensive chemotherapy

BACKGROUND The extent to which vaccinated persons diagnosed with COVID-19 can transmit to other vaccinated and unvaccinated persons is unclear. METHODS Using data from the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), this report describes outcomes of household contact tracing during January 29-July 2, 2021, where fully vaccinated COVID-19 patients were the index case in the household. RESULTS

The U.S. FDA has issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for non-hospitalized patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 disease and for individuals exposed to COVID-19 as post-exposure prophylaxis. One EUA for an oral antiviral drug, molnupiravir, has also been recommended by FDA's Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee, and others appear likely in the near future

BACKGROUND A four-month regimen containing rifapentine and moxifloxacin has non-inferior efficacy compared to the standard 6-month regimen for drug-sensitive tuberculosis. We evaluated the effect of regimens containing daily, high-dose rifapentine on efavirenz pharmacokinetics and viral suppression in patients with HIV-associated TB. METHODS In the context of a Phase 3 randomized controlled trial,

BACKGROUND Review of data from multiple sources is often necessary to determine cause of death for stillbirths and neonatal deaths, especially in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) where available data may vary. The minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) procedure provides granular histologic and microbiologic data that clinical reports and verbal autopsies cannot provide. Expert panel evaluation