Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Arrival Surveillance Screening by Nucleic Acid Amplification Versus Rapid Antigen Detection on Subsequent COVID-19 Infections in Military Trainees.

BACKGROUND: For persons entering congregate settings, optimal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) arrival surveillance screening method, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) versus rapid antigen detection test (RADT), is debated. To aid this, we sought to determine the risk of secondary symptomatic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) among military trainees with negative arrival NAAT or RADT screening. METHODS: Individuals who arrived for US Air Force basic military training from 1 January-31 August 2021 were placed into training groups and screened for SARS-CoV-2 via NAAT or RADT. Secondary symptomatic COVID-19 cases within 2 weeks of training were then measured. A case cluster was defined as ≥5 individual symptomatic COVID-19 cases. RESULTS: 406 (1.6%) of 24 601 trainees screened positive upon arrival. The rate of positive screen was greater for those tested with NAAT versus RADT (2.5% vs 0.4%; RR: 5.4; 95% CI: 4.0-7.3; P < .001). The proportion of training groups with ≥1 positive individual screen was greater in groups screened via NAAT (57.5% vs 10.8%; RR: 5.31; 95% CI: 3.65-7.72; P < .001). However, NAAT versus RADT screening was not associated with a difference in number of training groups to develop a secondary symptomatic case (20.3% vs 22.5%; RR: .9; 95% CI: .66-1.23; P = .53) or case cluster of COVID-19 (4% vs 6.6%; RR: .61; 95% CI: .3-1.22; P = .16). CONCLUSIONS: NAAT versus RADT arrival surveillance screening method impacted individual transmission of COVID-19 but had no effect on number of training groups developing a secondary symptomatic case or case cluster. This study provides consideration for RADT arrival screening in congregate settings.

Infectious etiologies among post-donation deferrals in a military blood donation center.

BACKGROUND: The burden of transfusion-transmitted infections among blood recipients remains low due to extensive pre- and post-donation screening. However, the military has the unique challenge of providing blood in austere environments with limited testing capabilities. This study evaluates the infectious etiologies of deferred blood donors at a large military blood donation center. METHODS: All blood donors at the Armed Service Blood Bank Center, San Antonio, between 2017 and 2022 with positive post-donation screening for hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I/II), Zika (2018-2021), West Nile virus, Trypanosoma cruzi, Treponema pallidum, or Babesia microti (2020-2022) were evaluated. Donors were deferred based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance. RESULTS: Two-hundred and thirteen (213) donors met FDA criteria for deferral. T. pallidum (n = 45, 50.3 per 100,000), HCV (n = 34, 38.0 per 100,000), and HBV (n = 19, 21.2 per 100,000) were the most common pathogens among those with both positive screening and confirmatory testing. The majority of HIV (95%), Chagas (78%), HTLV-I/II (50%) deferrals were due to indeterminate confirmatory tests following initial positive screens. The majority of deferrals for HBV were for a second occurrence of a positive screen despite negative confirmatory testing. CONCLUSION: The rates of post-donation deferral for transfusion-transmissible infections were low in this military cohort. Our findings suggest that donor testing in deployed service members should focus on HBV, HCV, and T. pallidum and highlight the need for better diagnostics for HIV, Chagas, and HTLV-I/II.

Sensitivity of Symptom-Based Screening for COVID-19 in Active Duty Basic Trainees.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) screening has been a cornerstone of case identification during the pandemic. Despite the myriad of COVID-19 symptoms, symptom screens have primarily focused on symptoms of influenza-like illnesses such as fever, cough, and dyspnea. It is unknown how well these symptoms identify cases in a young, healthy military population. This study aims to evaluate the utility of symptom-based screening in identifying COVID-19 through three different COVID-19 waves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 600 military trainees who arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in 2021 and 2022 were included. Two hundred trainees with symptomatic COVID-19 before the emergence of the Delta variant (February-April 2021), when Delta variant was predominant (June-August 2021), and when Omicron was the predominant variant (January 2022) had their presenting symptoms compared. At each time point, the sensitivity of a screen for influenza-like illness symptoms was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 600 symptomatic active duty service members who tested positive for COVID-19, the most common symptoms were sore throat (n = 385, 64%), headache (n = 334, 56%), and cough (n = 314, 52%). Although sore throat was the most prominent symptom during Delta (n = 140, 70%) and Omicron (n = 153, 77%), headache was the most common before Delta (n = 93, 47%). There were significant differences in symptoms by vaccination status; for example, ageusia was more common in patients who were not completely vaccinated (3% vs. 0%, P = .01). Overall, screening for fever, cough, or dyspnea had a 65% sensitivity with its lowest sensitivity in the pre-Delta cases (54%) and highest sensitivity in Omicron cases (78%). CONCLUSIONS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study evaluating symptomatic military members with COVID-19, symptom prevalence varied based on predominant circulating COVID-19 variant as well as patients' vaccination status. As screening strategies evolve with the pandemic, changing symptom prevalence should be considered.

Leisure-time physical activity and mortality from influenza and pneumonia: a cohort study of 577 909 US adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of leisure-time physical activity with mortality from influenza and pneumonia. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of US adults (aged ≥18 years) who participated in the National Health Interview Survey from 1998 to 2018 were followed for mortality through 2019. Participants were classified as meeting both physical activity guidelines if they reported ≥150 min/week of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic physical activity and ≥2 episodes/week of muscle-strengthening activity. Participants were also classified into five volume-based categories of self-reported aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. Influenza and pneumonia mortality was defined as having an underlying cause of death with an International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code of J09-J18 recorded in the National Death Index. Mortality risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazards, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, health conditions and influenza and pneumococcal vaccination status. Data were analysed in 2022. RESULTS: Among 577 909 participants followed for a median of 9.23 years, 1516 influenza and pneumonia deaths were recorded. Compared with participants meeting neither guideline, those meeting both guidelines had 48% lower adjusted risk of influenza and pneumonia mortality. Relative to no aerobic activity, 10-149, 150-300, 301-600 and >600 min/week were associated with lower risk (by 21%, 41%, 50% and 41%). Relative to <2 episodes/week of muscle-strengthening activity, 2 episodes/week was associated with 47% lower risk and ≥7 episodes/week with 41% higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic physical activity, even at quantities below the recommended level, may be associated with lower influenza and pneumonia mortality while muscle-strengthening activity demonstrated a J-shaped relationship.

Response to a Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease Case Among Military Trainees.

We describe the public health response to a military trainee who developed serogroup B meningococcal disease while sharing underwater breathing equipment. Despite high transmission risk, with rapid isolation and postexposure prophylaxis administration, there were no secondary cases. This case supports carefully weighing serogroup B meningococcal vaccination in high-risk settings.

TaqMan Array Card testing of participant-collected stool smears to determine the pathogen-specific epidemiology of travellers' diarrhoea†.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the compliance with self-collection of stool smears on Whatman® FTA® Elute Card (FTA Card) and detection of travellers' diarrhoea (TD)-associated pathogens by using a quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay [customized TaqMan® array card (TAC)] in a prospective, observational cohort of travellers. METHODS: Enrolled travellers documented symptoms on a travel diary and collected an FTA Card during a diarrhoeal episode, or at the end of travel if they remained asymptomatic. TAC testing was performed on FTA Cards from TD cases and 1:1 matched asymptomatic controls and 1:1 matched loose stool cases that did not meet TD criteria. Odds ratios were used to determine the association between detected pathogens and TD. RESULTS: Of 2456 travellers, 484 (19.7%) completed an illness diary and met TD criteria, and 257 (53.1%) collected an FTA Card during the TD episode. FTA Cards were stored for a median of 2 years at room temperature (IQR: 1-4 years) before extraction and testing. The overall TAC detection rate in TD cases was 58.8% (95% CI: 52.5-64.8). Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen in TD cases (26.8%), and 3.5% of samples were positive for norovirus. The odds of detecting TD-associated pathogens in 231 matched cases and asymptomatic controls were 5.4 (95% CI: 3.6-8.1) and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.1-3.7) in 121 matched TD and loose stool cases (P < 0.05). Enteroaggregative E. coli was the most common pathogen detected in asymptomatic controls and loose stool cases. Detection of diarrhoeagenic E. coli, Shigella/enteroinvasive E. coli and Campylobacter spp. was significantly associated with TD. CONCLUSION: FTA Cards are a useful adjunct to traditional stool collection methods for evaluating the pathogen-specific epidemiology of TD in austere environments. Qualitative detection of pathogens was associated with TD. Measures to improve compliance and quality of FTA Card collection with decreased storage duration may further optimize detection.

Effect of Arrival Quarantine on Subsequent COVID-19 Testing in a Cohort of Military Basic Trainees.

INTRODUCTION: Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland implemented several sequential non-pharmaceutical interventions in response to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). One measure, arrival quarantine, has not been studied as a modern military disease prevention strategy. This study aimed to determine the effect of a 14-day arrival quarantine on symptomatic COVID-19 testing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study compared symptomatic COVID-19 testing among all trainees who entered Basic Military Training between March 17, 2020, and April 17, 2020, before the implementation of universal arrival COVID-19 testing, during their first 2 weeks in arrival quarantine compared to the rest of their training. Furthermore, symptomatic COVID-19 testing in the last 5 weeks of training in those who completed arrival quarantine was compared to testing in the last 5 weeks for trainees who arrived between February 16, 2020, and March 16, 2020, and did not undergo arrival quarantine. Nominal variables were compared by chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. This study was approved as a public health surveillance project by the 59th Medical Wing Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: Five thousand five hundred and seventy-six trainees started training between February 16, 2020, and April 17, 2020, with 2,573 trainees undergoing an arrival quarantine compared to 3,003 trainees who did not. Trainees who underwent arrival quarantine had higher rates of COVID-19 testing while in arrival quarantine (10.5 tests per 1,000 trainee-weeks vs. 2.3, P ≤ .001) and higher rates of concomitant influenza testing (74% vs. 38%, P = .001) compared to after they completed quarantine. Trainees that completed quarantine had less symptomatic COVID-19 testing after day 14 of training (2.3 tests per 1,000 trainee-weeks vs. 14.3, P ≤ .001) and influenza testing (38% vs. 74%, P = .001) compared to trainees that did not undergo arrival quarantine. CONCLUSION: Arrival quarantine appears to be an effective non-pharmaceutical intervention associated with fewer symptomatic COVID-19 tests, especially after completion of quarantine.

Travel-associated multidrug-resistant organism acquisition and risk factors among US military personnel.

BACKGROUND: International travel is a risk factor for incident colonization with extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms. These and other multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are major pathogens in combat casualties. We evaluated risk factors for colonization with MDR bacteria in US military personnel travelling internationally for official duty. METHODS: TravMil is a prospective observational study enrolling subjects presenting to military travel clinics. We analysed surveys, antimicrobial use data, and pre- and post-travel perirectal swabs in military travellers to regions outside the continental USA, Canada, Western or Northern Europe, or New Zealand, presenting to one clinic from 12/2015 to 12/2017. Recovered Gram-negative isolates underwent identification and susceptibility testing (BD Phoenix). Characteristics of trip and traveller were analysed to determine risk factors for MDR organism colonization. RESULTS: 110 trips were planned by 99 travellers (74% male, median age 38 years [IQR 31, 47.25]); 72 trips with returned pre- and post-travel swabs were completed by 64 travellers. Median duration was 21 days (IQR 12.75, 79.5). 17% travelled to Mexico/Caribbean/Central America, 15% to Asia, 57% to Africa and 10% to South America; 56% stayed in hotels and 50% in dormitories/barracks. Travellers used doxycycline (15%) for malaria prophylaxis, 11% took an antibiotic for travellers' diarrhoea (TD) treatment (fluoroquinolone 7%, azithromycin 4%). Incident MDR organism colonization occurred in 8 travellers (incidence density 3.5/1000 travel days; cumulative incidence 11% of trips [95% CI: 4-19%]), all ESBL-producing Escherichia coli. A higher incidence of ESBL-producing E. coli acquisition was associated with travel to Asia (36% vs 7%, P = 0.02) but not with travel to other regions, TD or use of antimicrobials. No relationship was seen between fluoroquinolone or doxycycline exposure and resistance to those antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: Incident colonization with MDR organisms occurs at a lower rate in this military population compared with civilian travellers, with no identified modifiable risk factors, with highest incidence of ESBL acquisition observed after South Asia travel.

Risk Factors Associated With COVID-19 Transmission Among US Air Force Trainees in a Congregant Setting.

Importance: Owing to concerns of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks, many congregant settings are forced to close when cases are detected because there are few data on the risk of different markers of transmission within groups. Objective: To determine whether symptoms and laboratory results on the first day of COVID-19 diagnosis are associated with development of a case cluster in a congregant setting. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study of trainees with COVID-19 from May 11 through August 24, 2020, was conducted at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the primary site of entry for enlistment in the US Air Force. Symptoms and duration, known contacts, and cycle threshold for trainees diagnosed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were collected. A cycle threshold value represents the number of nucleic acid amplification cycles that occur before a specimen containing the target material generates a signal greater than the predetermined threshold that defines positivity. Cohorts with 5 or more individuals with COVID-19 infection were defined as clusters. Participants included 10 613 trainees divided into 263 parallel cohorts of 30 to 50 people arriving weekly for 7 weeks of training. Exposures: All trainees were quarantined for 14 days on arrival. Testing was performed on arrival, on day 14, and anytime during training when indicated. Protective measures included universal masking, physical distancing, and rapid isolation of trainees with COVID-19. Main Outcomes and Measures: Association between days of symptoms, specific symptoms, number of symptoms, or cycle threshold values of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and subsequent transmission within cohorts. Results: In this cohort study of 10 613 US Air Force basic trainees in 263 cohorts, 403 trainees (3%) received a diagnosis of COVID-19 in 129 cohorts (49%). Among trainees with COVID-19 infection, 318 (79%) were men, and the median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 20 (19-23) years; 204 (51%) were symptomatic, and 199 (49%) were asymptomatic. Median (IQR) cycle threshold values were lower in symptomatic trainees compared with asymptomatic trainees (21.2 [18.4-27.60] vs 34.8 [29.3-37.4]; P < .001). Cohorts with clusters of individuals with COVID-19 infection were predominantly men (204 cohorts [89%] vs 114 cohorts [64%]; P < .001), had more symptomatic trainees (146 cohorts [64%] vs 53 cohorts [30%]; P < .001), and had more median (IQR) symptoms per patient (3 [2-5] vs 1 [1-2]; P < .001) compared with cohorts without clusters. Within cohorts, subsequent development of clusters of 5 or more individuals with COVID-19 infection compared with those that did not develop clusters was associated with cohorts that had more symptomatic trainees (31 of 58 trainees [53%] vs 43 of 151 trainees [28%]; P = .001) and lower median (IQR) cycle threshold values (22.3 [18.4-27.3] vs 35.3 [26.5-37.8]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of US Air Force trainees living in a congregant setting during the COVID-19 pandemic, higher numbers of symptoms and lower cycle threshold values were associated with subsequent development of clusters of individuals with COVID-19 infection. These values may be useful if validated in future studies.

Doxycycline Malaria Prophylaxis Impact on Risk of Travelers' Diarrhea among International Travelers.

International travelers are frequently at risk for travelers' diarrhea (TD) and malaria. Doxycycline was one of the earliest antibiotics shown to have efficacy in TD prevention. With increasing resistance and recommendations against antibiotic chemoprophylaxis, doxycycline fell out of use. We evaluated TD incidence and risk factors in a prospective cohort of travelers, specifically in regard to malaria prophylaxis. Travelers' diarrhea was defined as ≥ 3 loose stools in 24 hours or two loose stools in 24 hours associated with other gastrointestinal symptoms. The Poisson regression model with robust error variance was used to estimate the RR of TD. Three thousand two hundred twenty-seven trips were enrolled: 62.1% of participants were male, with a median age of 39 years (interquartile range [IQR] 27,59) and a median travel duration of 19 days (IQR 12,49); 17.4% developed TD; 32% traveled to Africa, 40% to Asia, and 27% to the Caribbean and Latin America; and 20% took doxycycline for malaria chemoprophylaxis, 50% took other antimalarials, and 30% took none. Decreased RR of TD was associated with doxycycline (RR 0.62 [0.47-0.82], P < 0.01) and military travel (RR 0.57 [0.47-0.70], P < 0.01). Increased risk of TD was associated with female gender (RR 1.28 [1.09-1.50], P < 0.01), hotel accommodations (RR 1.30 [1.10-1.53], P < 0.01), travel to tropical South America (RR 1.34 [1.09-1.64], P < 0.01), and duration of travel (RR 1.00 [1.00-1.01], P < 0.01). The use of doxycycline for malaria prophylaxis is associated with lower TD risk, suggesting increasing bacterial enteropathogen susceptibility similar to previous observations. Doxycycline selection for antimalarial chemoprophylaxis may provide additional traveler benefit in infection prevention.

COVID-19 Monitoring and Response Among U.S. Air Force Basic Military Trainees - Texas, March-April 2020.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality since it was first described in December 2019 (1). Based on epidemiologic data showing spread in congregate settings (2-4), national, state, and local governments instituted significant restrictions on large gatherings to prevent transmission of disease in early March 2020. This and other nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have shown initial success in slowing the pandemic across the country (5). This report examines the first 7 weeks (March 1-April 18) of implementation of NPIs in Basic Military Training (BMT) at a U.S. Air Force base. In a population of 10,579 trainees, COVID-19 incidence was limited to five cases (47 per 100,000 persons), three of which were in persons who were contacts of the first patient. Transmission of symptomatic COVID-19 was successfully limited using strategies of quarantine, social distancing, early screening of trainees, rapid isolation of persons with suspected cases, and monitored reentry into training for trainees with positive test results after resolution of symptoms.

The Struggling Infectious Diseases Fellow: Remediation Challenges and Opportunities.

Remediation of struggling learners is a challenge faced by all educators. In recognition of this reality, and in light of contemporary challenges facing infectious diseases (ID) fellowship program directors, the Infectious Diseases Society of America Training Program Directors' Committee focused the 2018 National Fellowship Program Directors' Meeting at IDWeek on "Remediation of the Struggling Fellow." Small group discussions addressed 7 core topics, including feedback and evaluations, performance management and remediation, knowledge deficits, fellow well-being, efficiency and time management, teaching skills, and career development. This manuscript synthesizes those discussions around a competency-based framework to provide program directors and other educators with a roadmap for addressing common contemporary remediation challenges.

Impact of Doxycycline as Malaria Prophylaxis on Risk of Influenza-Like Illness among International Travelers.

Travelers are often at risk for both influenza-like illness (ILI) and malaria. Doxycycline is active against pathogens causing ILI and is used for malaria prophylaxis. We evaluated the risk factors for ILI, and whether the choice of malaria prophylaxis was associated with ILI. TravMil is a prospective observational study enrolling subjects presenting to military travel clinics. Influenza-like illness was defined as subjective fever with either a sore throat or cough. Characteristics of trip and use of malaria prophylaxis were analyzed to determine association with development of ILI. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to estimate relative risk (RR) of ILI. A total of 3,227 trips were enrolled: 62.1% male, median age of 39 years (interquartile range [IQR] 27,59), median travel duration 19 days (IQR 12, 49); 32% traveled to Africa, 40% to Asia, and 27% to the Caribbean and Latin America. Military travel (46%) and vacation (40%) were most common reasons for travel. Among them, 20% took doxycycline, 50% other prophylaxis, and 30% took none; 8.7% developed ILI. Decreased RR of ILI was associated with doxycycline (RR 0.65 [0.43-0.99], P = 0.046) and military travel (RR 0.30 [0.21-0.43], P < 0.01). Increased risk of ILI was associated with female gender (RR 1.57 [1.24-1.98], P < 0.01), travel to Asia (RR 1.37 [1.08-1.75], P = 0.01), and cruises (RR 2.21 [1.73-2.83], P < 0.01). Use of doxycycline malaria prophylaxis is associated with a decreased risk of ILI. Possible reasons include anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial effects, or other unmeasured factors. With few strategies for decreasing ILI in travelers, these findings bear further investigation.

Microbiology and clinical characteristics of industrial oil burns.

INTRODUCTION: Infections complicating burns generally transition from Gram-positive to Gram-negatives over the first couple weeks, but this depends on multiple factors. The microbiology of infections complicating crude oil (CO) and hydraulic fracturing (FRAC) burns is unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with industrial thermal burns hospitalized >2 days with ≥1 day in the ICU between 4/2011-11/2016. Burns were oil-related (ORB; CO or FRAC) or non-oil related (NORB). Epidemiology and microbiology during the first 15 hospital days was compared. RESULTS: 149 patients were included, with 11 FRAC and 24 CO. CO burns were more severely burned than those with FRAC and NORB (p<0.05). Mortality was 17% and 18% for CO and FRAC burns compared to 3% in NORB (p<0.01). More cultures were obtained from ORB than NORB (p<0.05). ORB were associated with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and FRAC associated with Serratia marcescens and Candida glabrata. Patients with FRAC, CO and NORB had a median of 13, 3.5, and 4 days to first positive culture respectively (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: ORB were associated with more severe burns and unique microbiology. FRAC burns had longer to initial positive culture, potentially suggesting our current methodology is inadequate to diagnose infections associated with FRAC.

An Uncommon Presentation of Erythrodermic Psoriasis in a Patient Without a History of Psoriasis.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare and potentially fatal skin condition. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman, with no prior dermatologic history, who was treated with steroid injection for an insect bite one month prior to presentation and subsequently developed a diffuse erythematous rash. She presented to a military medical center in shock, with weeping, coalesced plaques covering the majority of her skin. Skin biopsies revealed pustular psoriasis, and treatment with infliximab was initiated for erythrodermic psoriasis. After six weeks and three infliximab infusions, the cutaneous lesions had nearly completely resolved.

An unusual cause of bowel obstruction: Rhizopus Arrhizus diverticulitis.

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection primarily afflicting immunocompromised or diabetic patients. Its presentation ranges from rhino-orbito-cerebral infections to disseminated mucormycosis with angioinvasion. We present a patient who developed a bowel obstruction one month after bone marrow transplant and was diagnosed with Rhizopus arrhizus diverticulitis despite antifungal therapy since transplantation. She underwent surgical removal with immediate fungal resurgence, declined further invasive intervention and was discharged on palliative isavuconazole. Seven months later she is alive with fungal containment.

A Comparison of Pretravel Health Care, Travel-Related Exposures, and Illnesses among Pediatric and Adult U.S. Military Beneficiaries.

We evaluated differences in pretravel care, exposures, and illnesses among pediatric and adult travelers, using a prospective, observational cohort. Eighty-one pediatric travelers were matched 1:1 with adult military dependents by travel region, destination's malaria risk, and travel duration. Pediatric travelers were more likely to have coverage for hepatitis A and B (90% versus 67% of adults; 85% versus 44%), visit friends and relatives (36% versus 16%), report mosquito bites (69% versus 44%), and have close contact with wild or domesticated animals (40% versus 20%) than adults (P < 0.05). Subjects < 10 years of age were less likely to be prescribed antibiotics (28% versus 95%; RR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.46-0.85) and antidiarrheals (9% versus 100%; RR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03-0.29) for travelers' diarrhea (TD) self-treatment than adults. Travel medicine providers should emphasize strategies for vector avoidance, prevention of animal bites and scratches, and TD self-treatment in pediatric pretravel consultations.

Formalization of a Specialty-Specific Military Unique Curriculum: A Joint United States Army and United States Air Force Infectious Disease Fellowship Program.

INTRODUCTION: There are many unique aspects to the practice of military Infectious Diseases (ID). San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Consortium Infectious Disease (ID) Fellowship is a combined Army and Air Force active duty program. Program leadership thought ID military unique curriculum (MUC) was well integrated into the program. We sought to verify this assumption to guide the decision to formalize the ID MUC. This study describes our strategy for the refinement and implementation of ID specific MUC, assesses the fellow and faculty response to these changes, and provides an example for other programs to follow. METHODS: We identified important ID areas through lessons learned from personal military experience, data from the ID Army Knowledge Online e-mail consult service, input from military ID physicians, and the Army and Air Force ID consultants to the Surgeons General. The consultants provided feedback on perceived gaps, appropriateness, and strategy. Due to restrictions in available curricular time, we devised a three-pronged strategy for revision: adapt current curricular practices to include MUC content, develop new learning activities targeted at the key content area, and sustain existing, effective MUC experiences.Learners were assessed by multiple choice question correct answer rate, performance during the simulation exercise, and burn rotation evaluation. Data on correct answer rate were analyzed according to level of training by using Mann-Whitney U test. Program assessment was conducted through anonymous feedback at midyear and end of year program evaluations. RESULTS: Twelve military unique ID content areas were identified. Diseases of pandemic potential and blood borne pathogen management were added after consultant input. Five experiences were adapted to include military content: core and noon conference series, simulation exercises, multiple choice quizzes, and infection control essay questions. A burn intensive care unit (ICU) rotation, Transport Isolation System exercise, and tour of trainee health facilities were the new learning activities introduced. The formal tropical medicine course, infection prevention in the deployed environment course, research opportunities and participation in trainee health outbreak investigations were sustained activities. Ten fellows participated in the military-unique spaced-education multiple-choice question series. Twenty-seven questions were attempted 814 times. 50.37% of questions were answered correctly the first time, increasing to 100% correct by the end of the activity. No difference was seen in the initial correct answer rate between the four senior fellows (median 55% [IQR 49.75, 63.25]) and the six first-year fellows (median 44% [IQR 39.25, 53]) (p = 0.114). Six fellows participated in the simulated deployment scenario. No failure of material synthesis was noted during the simulation exercise and all of the fellows satisfied the stated objectives. One fellow successfully completed the piloted burn ICU rotation. Fellows and faculty reported high satisfaction with the new curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Military GME programs are required by congress to address the unique aspects of military medicine. Senior fellow knowledge using the spaced interval multiple-choice quizzes did not differ from junior fellow rate, supporting our concern that the ID MUC needed to be enhanced. Enhancement of the MUC experience can be accomplished with minimal increases to curricular and faculty time.