The Role of Point-of-Care Testing in Specific Populations.

Diagnostics for particular populations outside of traditional health care settings have driven development of point-of-care testing (POCT). POCT is particularly suitable for patients with infections conditions to mitigate infection spread via its provision in venues with less concern for stigma. Patients in rural or resource-limited settings can benefit from POCT through more timely diagnosis and linkage-to-care. However, gaps in POCT availability compared with better-resourced, urban counterparts persist. Leveraging communication technologies, using mobile clinics, changing national health care policy, and implementing novel geospatial science concepts can address limitations of POCT use and reduce POCT access gaps in these settings.

Herpes Simplex Virus Esophagitis as a Presentation of Febrile Neutropenia: A Case Report.

Herpes Simplex Virus esophagitis typically manifests as mucocutaneous lesions in immunocompromised patients, most frequently in organ and bone marrow transplant recipients. However, it has not been appropriately reported as a cause of febrile neutropenia despite being a relatively common opportunistic infection in this patient population.  A 58-year-old man recently diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma for which he was receiving chemotherapy presented with febrile neutropenia. Following a prolonged hospital course characterized by persistent fevers, an endoscopic evaluation was performed and diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus esophagitis was confirmed via histopathology. Prompt administration of acyclovir resulted in the complete resolution of the patient's symptoms.  Recognition of Herpes Simplex Virus esophagitis as an etiology of febrile neutropenia can ensure more prompt diagnosis and allow for appropriate management of these patients. In addition, this case report emphasizes a need for further research into additional diagnostic markers in the workup of these patients and the incorporation of antiviral therapy in febrile neutropenia algorithms.

The seroprevalence of COVID-19 in patients living with HIV in metropolitan Detroit.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19, a novel respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, has become a global pandemic. As of December 2020, 4.8% of the 941 people living with HIV in our Ryan White clinic have tested polymerase chain reaction positive for SARS-CoV-2. The aim of our study was to estimate the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in our Ryan White people living with HIV, irrespective of known past infection. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study that recruited people living with HIV in the Ryan White program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, from September 2020 through May 2021. All Ryan White patients were offered participation during clinic visits. After informed consent, patients completed a survey, and had blood sampled for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. RESULTS: Of the 529 individuals who completed the written survey, 504 participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibody and 52 people living with HIV were COVID-19 immunoglobulin (Ig) G positive resulting in a seroprevalence of 10.3%. Among 36 persons with PCR-confirmed COVID-19, 52.8% were IgG negative. Inclusion of PCR positive but IgG-negative people living with HIV yields a COVID-19 infection prevalence of 14.1%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that passive public health-based antibody surveillance in people living with HIV significantly underestimates past infection.

Missed Opportunities for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination by Parental Nativity, Minnesota, 2015-2018.

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in the United States is far below coverage for other routine adolescent vaccines. We examined whether missed opportunities for HPV vaccination among adolescents differ by parental nativity (country of origin) in Minnesota. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed birth record and immunization information data for adolescents in Minnesota born during 2004-2007 using data from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2018. Using logistic regression, we assessed the association between parental nativity and missed opportunities for HPV vaccine initiation, or receipt of other vaccines without receipt of the HPV vaccine. We adjusted for parent/child demographic and vaccination characteristics. We defined nativity as the number of non-US-born parents and maternal region of birth. RESULTS: Adolescents with mothers born in Eastern Europe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.33; 95% CI, 2.01-2.73) and Africa (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.28-1.43) had greater adjusted odds of missed opportunities for HPV vaccination than adolescents with US-born mothers. However, adolescents with mothers from Latin America and the Caribbean had lower odds of missed opportunities than adolescents with US-born mothers (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.58-0.65). Adolescents with 1 or 2 non-US-born parents had lower odds of missed opportunities for HPV vaccination than adolescents with 2 US-born parents (1 parent: aOR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96; 2 parents: aOR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should evaluate outreach to groups with HPV vaccination disparities and identify other drivers of missed opportunities among adolescents with US-born parents, such as multiparity.

Challenges related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in Minnesota: clinician and stakeholder perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among adolescents are increasing in Minnesota (MN) but remain below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% completion of the series. The goal of this study was to identify messaging and interventions impacting HPV vaccine uptake in MN through interviews with clinicians and key stakeholders. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured key participant interviews with providers and stakeholders involved in HPV vaccination efforts in MN between 2018 and 2019. Provider interview questions focused on messaging around the HPV vaccine and clinic-based strategies to impact HPV vaccine uptake. Stakeholder interview questions focused on barriers and facilitators at the organizational or state level, as well as initiatives and collaborations to increase HPV vaccination. Responses to interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic content analysis was used to identify themes from interviews. RESULTS: 14 clinicians and 13 stakeholders were interviewed. Identified themes were grouped into 2 major categories that dealt with messaging around the HPV vaccine, direct patient-clinician interactions and external messaging, and a third thematic category involving healthcare system-related factors and interventions. The messaging strategy identified as most useful was promoting the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention. The need for stakeholders to prioritize HPV vaccination uptake was identified as a key factor to increasing HPV vaccination rates. Multiple providers and stakeholders identified misinformation spread through social media as a barrier to HPV vaccine uptake. CONCLUSION: Emphasizing the HPV vaccine's cancer prevention benefits and prioritizing it among healthcare stakeholders were the most consistently cited strategies for promoting HPV vaccine uptake. Methods to combat the negative influence of misinformation about HPV vaccines in social media are an urgent priority.

Rapid Reorganization of an Academic Infectious Diseases Program During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Detroit: A Novel Unit-based Group Rounding Model.

The surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations at our 877-bed quaternary care hospital in Detroit led to an emergent demand for Infectious Diseases (ID) consultations. The traditional 1-on-1 consultation model was untenable. Therefore, we rapidly restructured our ID division to provide effective consultative services. We implemented a novel unit-based group rounds model that focused on delivering key updates to teams and providing unit-wide consultations simultaneously to all team members. Effectiveness of the program was studied using Likert-scale survey data. The survey captured data from the first month of the Detroit COVID-19 pandemic. During this period there were approximately 950 patients hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19. The survey of trainees and faculty reported an overall 95% positive response to delivery of information, new knowledge acquisition, and provider confidence in the care of COVID-19 patients. This showed that the unit-based consult model is a sustainable effort to provide care during epidemics.

Descriptive Analysis of Patients Living With HIV Affected by COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease has spread globally and was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, by the World Health Organization. On March 10, the State of Michigan confirmed its first 2 cases of COVID-19, and the number of confirmed cases has reached 47,182 as of May 11, 2020, with 4555 deaths. SETTING: Currently, little is known if patients living with HIV (PLWH) are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 or if their antiretrovirals are protective. This study presents epidemiologic and clinical features of COVID-19 infected PLWH in Detroit, Michigan. METHODS: This is a case series that included 14 PLWH with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection who were evaluated at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, between March 20, 2020, and April 30, 2020. RESULTS: Fourteen PLWH were diagnosed with COVID-19. Twelve patients were men and 2 were women; 13 patients were virally suppressed. Eight patients were hospitalized, and 6 patients were told to self-quarantine at home after their diagnoses. Three patients who were admitted expired during their hospital stay. No patient required bilevel positive airway pressure or nebulizer use in the emergency department, and none developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, or a cytokine storm while on therapy for COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Although the clinical spectrum of COVID-19 among PLWH cannot be fully ascertained by this report, it adds to the data that suggest that HIV-positive patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are not at a greater risk of severe disease or death as compared to HIV-negative patients.

Online media scans: Applying systematic review techniques to assess statewide human papillomavirus vaccination activities.

Background. Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been approved for use in adolescents in the US for over a decade, vaccination uptake remains low. Of concern, HPV vaccine coverage is below the national average in Minnesota, USA. To understand the reach of current HPV programming and research, we use an online media scan; this method may be applied to other jurisdictions to gain insight about various public health issues. Design and Methods. This online media scan describes the nature and scope of ongoing activities to increase HPV vaccination in Minnesota. The media scan included: a) structured internet searches of HPV vaccine health education/promotion activities ongoing in Minnesota since 2013, and b) searches in research databases of the published literature on HPV vaccination in Minnesota from 2013 to 2018. Results. Searches resulted in 880 online and 142 research article matches, with 40 and 36 meeting selection criteria. Results were categorized by activities focusing on race/ethnicity, sex, health providers, parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) populations, geographic location, catchup vaccination, and insurance status. Most activities were statewide (52% health education/promotion and 35% research), followed by activities located in entirely urban areas (15% health education/promotion and 41% research) with only 6% of health education/promotion activities and 2% of research activities carried out in entirely rural areas. Conclusions. A range of local and statewide HPV vaccine health education/promotion and research activities were identified in Minnesota. Several efforts partnered with American Indian and Somali/Somali-American communities, but fewer activities focused on HPV vaccination among LGBTQ youth and HPV vaccination in rural areas.

Concordance of Self- and Clinician-Collected Anal Swabs to Detect Human Papillomavirus in a Sample of HIV-Negative Men.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the concordance of self- and clinician-collected anorectal swabs for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in a population of HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved recruitment of HIV-negative MSM in a Midwestern US metropolitan area to collect paired sequential self- and clinician-collected anorectal swabs using illustrated instructions. Swabs were tested for type-specific HPV DNA with a comparison of type-specific HPV categories detected by each method. The sensitivity and specificity of self-collection were calculated assuming clinician collection as the criterion standard. McNemar's test and κ statistics were used to determine percent agreement and concordance of self- and clinician-collected swab results. RESULTS: Seventy-eight participants had paired anorectal swab samples of adequate quality for analyses. The sensitivity and specificity of self-collected swabs for detection of all high-risk HPV DNA types were 69.8% and 91.4%, respectively. Similar degrees of sensitivity and specificity of self-collection were seen for other groups of high-risk HPV types. Percent agreement and κ statistic for self- and clinician-collected swabs for all high-risk HPV types were 80.8% and 0.53, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Self-collected anorectal swab samples showed lower sensitivity but moderate to high specificity for detection of high-risk and vaccine-preventable HPV types compared with clinician-collected swab samples. Self-collection instructional details and the thoroughness of clinician collection of samples may have impacted sensitivity and specificity, suggesting a need to optimize and standardize instructions.

Optimizing Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Men Using Self-Collected Swabs: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing in the United States while funding for prevention and treatment programs has declined. Sample self-collection for STI testing in men may provide an acceptable, easy, rapid, and potentially cost-effective method for increasing diagnosis and treatment of STIs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of articles assessing self-collection of anal, oral, or genital swab samples among adult men for detection of STIs and/or human papillomavirus-related dysplasia. We searched for English-language articles in which men 18 years or older were recruited to participate. RESULTS: Our literature search resulted in 1053 citations, with 20 meeting inclusion criteria. Self-collection methods were highly sensitive and comparable with clinician collection for detection of multiple STI pathogens. However, self-collected samples were less likely to be of adequate quality for anorectal cytology and less sensitive for detection of anal intraepithelial neoplasia than clinician-collected samples. Self-collection was highly acceptable. Overall, studies were small and heterogeneous and used designs providing lower levels of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Self-collection methods are a viable option for collecting samples for STI testing in adult men based on their high feasibility, acceptability, and validity. Implementation of self-collection procedures in STI testing venues should be performed to expand opportunities for STI detection and treatment.

Novel n-3 fatty acid oxidation products activate Nrf2 by destabilizing the association between Keap1 and Cullin3.

Consumption of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can mitigate the progression of diseases in which oxidative stress represents a common underlying biochemical process. Nrf2-regulated gene expression regulates detoxification of reactive oxygen species. EPA and DHA were subjected to an in vitro free radical oxidation process that models in vivo conditions. Oxidized n-3 fatty acids reacted directly with the negative regulator of Nrf2, Keap1, initiating Keap1 dissociation with Cullin3, thereby inducing Nrf2-directed gene expression. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses of oxidized EPA demonstrated the presence of novel cyclopentenone-containing molecules termed J3-isoprostanes in vitro and in vivo and were shown to induce Nrf2-directed gene expression. These experiments provide a biochemical basis for the hypothesis that formation of J-ring compounds generated from oxidation of EPA and DHA in vivo can reach concentrations high enough to induce Nrf2-based cellular defense systems.