Is decolonization to prevent Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus infection in the population effective? A systematic review.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) -producing Staphylococcus aureus is associated with recurrent skin and soft tissue infections and occasionally invasive infections. There is limited evidence to support current public health guidance on decolonization of cases and household contacts. This systematic review (CRD42020189906) investigated the efficacy of decolonization against PVL-positive S. aureus to inform future public health practice. It included studies of cases with PVL-positive infections providing information on the efficacy of decolonization of cases, carriers, or contacts of cases. Studies were assessed for the risk of bias using the GRADE approach and summarized to inform a narrative synthesis. The search identified 20, mostly observational, studies with small samples and lacking control groups. Studies with longer follow-ups found that, while early post-decolonization screening was negative for most individuals, testing over subsequent months identified re-colonization in some. There is no high-quality evidence to show whether decolonization is effective in reducing (re)infection or long-term carriage of PVL-positive S. aureus and the low-quality evidence available indicates it may not be effective in eradicating carriage or reducing future disease. Furthermore, there may be risks associated with decolonization, e.g., potentially increased risk of infection from other microbes, opportunity costs and negative impacts of repeated testing for asymptomatic carriage. Further research is required to better understand what affects the ability of decolonization efforts to reduce risk to cases and their contacts, including strain, host and environmental factors.

Mapping a nosocomial outbreak of measles, coinciding with a period of sustained transmission in South London in 2018.

A measles outbreak in London is described, involving 34 cases across two hospitals and a local community across two countries. After a single introduction to hospital, spread propagated via unvaccinated retail shop workers to healthcare staff, highlighting the importance of expanding occupational health policies to non-clinical hospital staff. Further spread into an under-vaccinated Traveller community is a reminder that measles can spread in the absence of herd immunity. Subsequently endemic measles transmission has been re-established in the UK.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus outbreak in a school in London, April-May 2009: an observational study.

On 29 April 2009, an imported case of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection was detected in a London school. As further cases, pupils and staff members were identified, school closure and mass prophylaxis were implemented. An observational descriptive study was conducted to provide an insight into the clinical presentation and transmission dynamics in this setting. Between 15 April and 15 May 2009, 91 symptomatic cases were identified: 33 were confirmed positive for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection; 57 were tested negative; in one the results were unavailable. Transmission occurred first within the school, and subsequently outside. Attack rates were 2% in pupils (15% in the 11-12 years age group) and 17% in household contacts. The predominant symptoms were fever (97%), respiratory symptoms (91%), and sore throat (79%). Limited spread in the school may have been due to a combination of school closure and mass prophylaxis. However, transmission continued through household contacts to other schools.

Oseltamivir adherence and side effects among children in three London schools affected by influenza A(H1N1)v, May 2009 - an internet-based cross-sectional survey.

This report describes the results of a cross-sectional anonymised online survey on adherence to, and side effects from oseltamivir when offered for prophylaxis, among pupils from one primary and two secondary schools with confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)v in London in April-May 2009. Of 103 respondents (response rate 40%), 95 were estimated to have been offered oseltamivir for prophylaxis, of whom 85 (89%) actually took any. Less than half (48%) of primary schoolchildren completed a full course, compared to three-quarters (76%) of secondary schoolchildren. More than half (53%) of all schoolchildren taking prophylactic oseltamivir reported one or more side effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 40% of children and 18% reported a mild neuropsychiatric side effect. The results confirmed anecdotal evidence of poor adherence, provided timely information with which to assist decision-making, and formed part of the body of growing evidence that contributed to policy changes to restrict widespread use of prophylaxis for school contacts of confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)v.

A measles outbreak in the Irish traveller ethnic group after attending a funeral in England, March-June 2007.

Between 3 April and 18 May 2007, 21 confirmed cases of measles were reported in members of the Irish traveller ethnic group who attended a funeral in London, England. The Health Protection Agency conducted an investigation to determine the extent of this outbreak in order to inform prevention of future outbreaks. From 23 March to 30 June, 173 outbreak-associated cases from seven regions throughout England were identified; 156 cases were in Irish travellers and 17 were epidemiologically linked to cases in that community. In total, 124 cases were laboratory confirmed (IgM or RNA); none were vaccinated against measles. MMR vaccination was offered on traveller sites. Low vaccination coverage and the movement of traveller communities present particular challenges for measles elimination in Europe. We recommend parallel approaches to improve integration of Irish travellers within routine health services whilst offering targeted interventions to increase vaccine uptake in this marginalized community.

Public health and economic costs of investigating a suspected outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

This paper provides one of the first assessments of the burden of both the public health investigation and the economic costs associated with an apparent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease (LD) in South East London. In addition to epidemiological, microbiological and environmental investigations, we collected data on the staff time and resources committed by the 11 main organizations responsible for managing the outbreak. Of the overall estimated costs of 455,856 pounds, only 14% (64,264 pounds) was spent on investigation and control of the outbreak compared with 86% (391,592 pounds) spent on the hospital treatment of the patients. The time and money spent on public health services in this investigation appear to represent good value for money considering the potential costs of a major outbreak, including the high case-fatality rate in LD generally and the high health-care costs. Further research is needed to determine optimum strategies for the cost-effective use of health system resources in investigations of LD. Whether the threshold for investigation of cases should be based on observed incidence rates or the cost-effectiveness of investigations, or both, should be debated further.

Treatment of metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma with oral methotrexate in a combat environment.

BACKGROUND: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a rare neoplastic complication of pregnancy. This disease can be successfully treated with parenteral intravenous or intramuscular chemotherapy. We present a case of metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma following a term pregnancy that was treated successfully with oral methotrexate therapy. CASE: A 25-year-old, G4 P4, native Afghani with a history of irregular menses since the birth of her son 6 months ago received a physical examination that was within normal limits. Pelvic examination revealed minimal blood in the vault and slight bleeding from a closed cervical os. The uterus was slightly enlarged, 5 weeks in size, and without any adnexal masses. Laboratory evaluation was significant for a positive urine and serum beta-HCG. Pelvic ultrasound examination revealed a 5-cm uterus with a 2-cm endometrial stripe. Chest radiograph revealed multiple bilateral ill-defined pulmonary nodules confirmed by computerized tomography. The patient underwent dilation and curettage productive of a moderate amount of tissue. The patient continued to have positive serum beta-HCGs and was given the presumptive diagnosis of FIGO stage III gestational choriocarcinoma. Because of the lack of intravenous chemotherapeutic agents, the patient was begun on methotrexate 0.40 mg/kg orally on days 1-5, with 9 days off. The patient completed one course of chemotherapy, followed by an interval total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The patient had a complete response to therapy and was treated with oral methotrexate for 2 courses after a negative serum beta-HCG. The patient tolerated the chemotherapy without any complication. CONCLUSION: Methotrexate is routinely used in a parenteral intramuscular fashion for the treatment of gestational choriocarcinoma. Physicians should be aware that, in very limited situations, oral methotrexate in combination with hysterectomy still could offer a patient successful treatment for stage III GTN.

Improving malaria surveillance in inner city London: is there a need for targeted intervention?

Malaria in south east London is under-notified, and a previous local study has described how available data can underestimate the incidence. An active surveillance system was established and data on malaria cases diagnosed between the 1st January and 31st December 2000 were gathered from local laboratories, the Malaria Reference Laboratory (MRL) and a neighbouring health authority. In total 320 cases were identified in local residents (42.33 per 100,000). Of these 320, 293 were laboratory confirmed (38.75 per 100,000) and there were 47 notifications on clinical suspicion. Only 6.8% (20) laboratory-confirmed cases were formally notified. Males of African descent aged 25-39 years who travelled to West Africa were most affected, and 92.5% of the cases were of P. falciparum infection. The surveillance programme confirmed that formal malaria notifications are unreliable. The most important group of residents for targeted health intervention are members of ethnic minority groups, born in endemic areas and travelling to their countries of origin to visit family or friends.

Emergent treatment of a primary aortoenteric fistula with N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate and endovascular stent.

A novel endovascular treatment involving cyanoacrylate injection followed by endovascular stent placement is described in the setting of life-threatening acute exsanguination through a primary aortoenteric fistula. In a patient in unstable condition, N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate was injected into the fistula tract. Rapid polymerization first provided hemostasis and allowed the patient to be resuscitated and stabilized for several hours, and then an AneuRx endovascular stent-graft was deployed to reinforce the aortic wall and permanently occlude the fistula. This approach can benefit patients whose condition would otherwise be too unstable for open surgery.

An outbreak of hepatitis A among young men associated with having sex in public venues.

An increase in hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection was noted among young men in the former Thames regions during 1997. A retrospective case-control study, using a standardised questionnaire at interview, was conducted in the area most affected (London and East Sussex) to investigate the hypothesis that this increase was mainly among homosexual men and to establish the risk factors associated with transmission. Forty-eight cases and 161 controls completed questionnaires. Forty-one cases (85%) described their sexuality as homosexual (p < 0.0001). Cases were more likely than controls to have eaten shellfish (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.16, 5.04) during the two months before onset of illness. Cases had more sexual partners (p = 0.015), and more casual sexual partners (p = 0.007) than controls. Cases were more likely to have had sex in a gay sauna (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.53, 8.30), or in a gay club, pub or disco (OR 2.9; 95 CI 1.29, 6.63) than controls. After adjusting for confounding factors, cases were more likely to have eaten shellfish (adjusted [adj] OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.33, 6.59) and to have had sex in a gay sauna (adj OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.42, 10.59). Public health messages need to inform homosexual men about recognised risk factors such as eating shellfish and travel abroad to endemic areas, as well as sexual risks. Homosexual men can benefit from hepatitis A vaccine. We would suggest that in an outbreak situation men who have multiple anonymous partners and have sex in public venues should be targeted as a priority for health education and immunisation.

High incidence of primary tuberculosis.

An usually high rate of both tuberculosis infection and active disease is reported in 11 of 38 nursery children in contact with a case of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, emphasising the susceptibility of young children to this disease. This report also underlines some important principles in case finding and disease control.

Survey of food safety awareness among HIV positive individuals.

A survey was carried out by personal interview to assess the awareness of basic food hygiene and food safety amongst 77 HIV-positive individuals attending a single hospital. There was some confusion and lack of knowledge about aspects of food storage and despite the fact that 74% of subjects had modified their diet since learning their HIV status (mainly for nutritional reasons) only 25% reported receiving information on food safety. Of the subjects interviewed 96%, 66% and 23% were aware of the risks of infection from Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptosporidium, respectively; although most were not aware of the UK Government's advice on the consumption of eggs, soft cheese, pâté and cook-chill foods. Over 40% of those interviewed reported that they did not drink tap water (most drank bottled water instead), but few were aware of infections potentially transmitted through water. Although pets represent a potential source of a wide variety of infectious agents, there was a high level of awareness of this problem. This study highlights the need for improving the availability of information on food hygiene and infections acquired through food and water to HIV-positive individuals.

Glycolytic enzyme binding during entrance to daily torpor in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus).

Associations of glycolytic enzymes with the subcellular particulate fraction of skeletal muscle and heart were examined during entrance to daily torpor in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). In skeletal muscle a significant decrease in enzyme binding occurred during torpor entrance for phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate kinase, with an additional significant decrease for phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase during the deepest state of torpor. Reductions in enzyme binding during torpor entrance also occurred in heart; significant changes were observed in hexokinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate kinase binding. Contrary to the finding of additional reductions in enzyme binding seen in skeletal muscle, significant increases in enzyme binding during the deepest torpor state were observed for hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase in heart. These results suggest that a decrease in the binding of glycolytic enzymes to subcellular structures in skeletal muscle and heart may be at least partially responsible for initiating the reduction in metabolic rate during torpor entrance. This decreased binding may continue to mediate the metabolic reduction in skeletal muscle throughout torpor; heart, however, may require the use of different molecular mechanisms. The increased binding in heart during the deepest state of torpor may represent an anticipatory response in preparation for increased activity during arousal.