Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Following Exposure to General Anesthesia in Infancy: EGAIN, a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia (GA) is known to worsen neural outcomes in animals, but human research assessing early-life GA exposure and neurodevelopment show inconsistent findings. We investigated the effects of a single GA exposure for minor surgery on the neurodevelopment of healthy children at multiple time-points, using clinical assessments along with behavioral and neurophysiological measures rarely used in human research. METHODS: GA-exposed children were a prospective cohort of 250 full-term, healthy infants who underwent GA for minor surgery before 15 months. Nonexposed children were from a separate cohort of similar age, sex, ethnicity, and maternal education. In both cohorts, clinical measures (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III [BSID-III] and Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL1½-5]) were assessed at 24 months, and experimental tests (memory and attentional) and neurophysiology (event-related potentials) at 6 and 18 months. RESULTS: At 24 months, there were no differences between GA-exposed and nonexposed children in the cognitive, language, motor, and socioemotional domains of the BSDI-III; however, GA-exposed children had poorer parental-reported scores in BSID-III general adaptability (94.2 vs. 99.0 [mean difference, 4.77; 97.3% confidence interval, -9.29, -0.24]; P =0.020) and poorer internalizing behavior scores on CBCL1½-5 (52.8 vs. 49.4 [mean difference, 3.35; 97.3% confidence interval, 0.15-6.55]; P =0.021). For experimental measures, GA-exposed children showed differences in 4 tests at 6 and 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: GA-exposed children did not differ from unexposed children in cognitive, language or motor outcomes at 24 months, but exhibited poorer parent-reported behavior scores. Differences in infant behavior and neurophysiology were detected at 6 and 18 months. Neurophysiological assessments may complement clinically relevant assessments to provide greater insights into neurodevelopment following early GA exposure.

Mechanism of Staple Line Leak After Sleeve Gastrectomy via Isobaric Pressurisation Concentrating Stress Forces at the Proximal Staple Line.

PURPOSE: Staple line leak following sleeve gastrectomy is a significant problem and has been hypothesised to be related to hyperpressurisation in the proximal stomach. There is, however, little objective evidence demonstrating how these forces could be transmitted to the luminal wall. We aimed to define conditions in the proximal stomach and simulate the transmission of stress forces in the post-operative stomach using a finite element analysis (FEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The manometry of fourteen patients post sleeve gastrectomy was compared to ten controls. Manometry, boundary conditions, and volumetric CT were integrated to develop six models. These models delineated luminal wall stress in the proximal stomach. Key features were then varied to establish the influence of each factor. RESULTS: The sleeve gastrectomy cohort had a significantly higher peak intragastric isobaric pressures 31.58 ± 2.1 vs. 13.49 ± 1.3 mmHg (p = 0.0002). Regions of stress were clustered at the staple line near the GOJ, and peak stress was observed there in 67% of models. A uniform greater curvature did not fail or concentrate stress under maximal pressurisation. Geometric variation demonstrated that a larger triangulated apex increased stress by 17% (255 kPa versus 218 kPa), with a 37% increase at the GOJ (203kPA versus 148kPA). A wider incisura reduced stress at the GOJ by 9.9% (128 kPa versus 142 kPa). CONCLUSION: High pressure events can occur in the proximal stomach after sleeve gastrectomy. Simulations suggest that these events preferentially concentrate stress forces near the GOJ. This study simulates how high-pressure events could translate stress to the luminal wall and precipitate leak.

Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Gastro-esophageal Reflux After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mechanisms associated with reflux events after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) post-SG is a critical issue due to symptom severity, impact on quality of life, requirement for reoperation, and potential for Barrett esophagus. The pathophysiology is incompletely delineated. METHODS: Post-SG patients, stratified into asymptomatic and symptomatic, underwent protocolized nuclear scintigraphy (n = 83), 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and stationary manometry (n = 143) to characterize reflux patterns. Ten patients underwent fasting and postprandial concurrent manometry and pH for detailed analysis of reflux events. RESULTS: Baseline demographics between cohorts were similar: Age 47.2 ± 11.6 versus 44.1 ± 11.3 years ( P = 0.121); females 73.2% versus 90.8% ( P = 0.005); excess weight loss 53.8 ± 28.1% versus 57.4 ± 25.5% ( P = 0.422), follow-up duration 12.3 versus 7.4 months ( P = 0.503). Nuclear scintigraphy delineated bolus-induced deglutitive reflux events (29.6% vs 62.5%, P = 0.005) and postprandial reflux events [4 (IQR2) versus 4 (IQR 3) events, P = 0.356]. Total acid exposure was significantly elevated in the symptomatic population (7.7% vs 3.6%, P < 0.001), especially fasting acid exposure (6.0% vs 1.3%, P < 0.001). pH/manometry analysis demonstrated acute elevations of the gastro-esophageal pressure gradient (>10 mm Hg) underpinned most reflux events. Swallow-induced intragastric hyper-pressur-ization was associated with individual reflux events in most patients (90% in fasting state and 40% postprandial). CONCLUSIONS: We found reflux to be strongly associated with SG and identified 3 unique categories. Bolus-induced deglutitive and postprandial reflux occurred in most patients. Elevated fasting esophageal acid exposure mediated symptoms. Frequent, significant elevation in the gastro-esophageal pressure gradient was the mechanism of reflux and seemed to relate to the noncompliant proximal stomach.

Diagnostic Criteria for Gastro-esophageal Reflux Following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) post-sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a controversial issue and diagnostic dilemma. Strong heterogeneity exists in the assessment of reflux post-SG, and better diagnostic tools are needed to characterize symptomatic reflux. We aimed to determine the discriminant factors of symptomatic reflux and establish diagnostic thresholds for GERD following SG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients post-SG were categorized into asymptomatic and symptomatic cohorts and completed validated symptom questionnaires. All patients underwent stationary esophageal manometry and 24-h ambulatory pH monitoring. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the strongest discriminant factors for GERD. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the asymptomatic cohort (n = 48) and symptomatic cohort (n = 76) were comparable. The median post-operative duration was 7.3 (14.1) vs 7.5 (10.7) months (p = 0.825). The symptomatic cohort was more female predominant (90.8 vs 72.9%, p = 0.008). Reflux scores were significantly higher in the symptomatic group (36.0 vs 10.5, p = 0.003). Stationary manometry parameters were similar, including hiatus hernia prevalence and impaired esophageal motility. The symptomatic cohort had significantly higher total acid exposure, especially while supine (11.3% vs 0.6%, p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate regressions delineated reflux score and supine acid exposure as discriminant factors for symptomatic reflux. The thresholds for distinguishing symptomatic reflux are as follows: reflux score of 11.5 (sensitivity 84.0%, specificity 68.2%) and supine acid exposure of 2.65% (sensitivity 67.1%, specificity 70.8%). CONCLUSION: A reflux score of 11.5 or more or supine acid exposure of 2.65% or more should be considered diagnostic in defining symptomatic reflux following SG.

The shifting epidemiology and serotype distribution of invasive pneumococcal disease in Ontario, Canada, 2007-2017.

BACKGROUND: Ontario, Canada introduced a publicly-funded 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for infants in 2010, replacing the 10-valent (PCV10, 2009-2010) and the 7-valent (PCV7, 2005-2009) conjugate vaccine programs; a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has been available for older adults since 1996. We examined the epidemiology and serotype distribution of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Ontario in the context of provincial immunization programs. METHODS: We included confirmed IPD cases reported in Ontario between 2007 and 2017. We grouped serotypes according to Ontario's current immunization program (PCV13, PPV23, and non-vaccine-preventable) and calculated incidence rates (per 100,000 population) using population data. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2017, annual incidence of IPD in Ontario ranged between 7.3 and 9.7/100,000 per year. Measures of illness severity were high throughout the period of surveillance. After PCV13 program implementation in 2010, incidence due to PCV13 serotypes decreased significantly across all age groups, with the greatest reductions in children <5 years and adults ≥65 years. Conversely, incidence due to PPV23 unique serotypes increased significantly between 2007 and 2017, with the greatest increases observed in adults 50-64 years (1.4 to 3.5/100,000) and ≥65 years (2.3 to 7.2/100,000). Similar increases were observed in incidence due to non-vaccine-preventable serotypes among all age groups, except infants <1 year. Within specific serotypes, incidence due to serotypes 3 (0.42 to 0.98/100,000) and 22F (0.31 to 0.72/100,000) increased significantly between 2007 and 2017, while incidence due to serotypes 19A and 7F decreased significantly during the PCV13 period (2010-2017). CONCLUSIONS: Eight years after PCV13 implementation in Ontario, our data suggest both direct and indirect effects on serotype-specific incidence in young children and older adults. However, overall provincial rates have remained unchanged, and IPD continues to be a severe burden on the population. The rising incidence of IPD due to PPV23 unique and non-vaccine-preventable serotypes, and the growing burden of serotypes 3 and 22F, require further study.

The basic reproduction number (R0) of measles: a systematic review.

The basic reproduction number, R nought (R0), is defined as the average number of secondary cases of an infectious disease arising from a typical case in a totally susceptible population, and can be estimated in populations if pre-existing immunity can be accounted for in the calculation. R0 determines the herd immunity threshold and therefore the immunisation coverage required to achieve elimination of an infectious disease. As R0 increases, higher immunisation coverage is required to achieve herd immunity. In July, 2010, a panel of experts convened by WHO concluded that measles can and should be eradicated. Despite the existence of an effective vaccine, regions have had varying success in measles control, in part because measles is one of the most contagious infections. For measles, R0 is often cited to be 12-18, which means that each person with measles would, on average, infect 12-18 other people in a totally susceptible population. We did a systematic review to find studies reporting rigorous estimates and determinants of measles R0. Studies were included if they were a primary source of R0, addressed pre-existing immunity, and accounted for pre-existing immunity in their calculation of R0. A search of key databases was done in January, 2015, and repeated in November, 2016, and yielded 10 883 unique citations. After screening for relevancy and quality, 18 studies met inclusion criteria, providing 58 R0 estimates. We calculated median measles R0 values stratified by key covariates. We found that R0 estimates vary more than the often cited range of 12-18. Our results highlight the importance of countries calculating R0 using locally derived data or, if this is not possible, using parameter estimates from similar settings. Additional data and agreed review methods are needed to strengthen the evidence base for measles elimination modelling.

The utility of measles and rubella IgM serology in an elimination setting, Ontario, Canada, 2009-2014.

In Canada, measles was eliminated in 1998 and rubella in 2000. Effective measles and rubella surveillance is vital in elimination settings, hinging on reliable laboratory methods. However, low-prevalence settings affect the predictive value of laboratory tests. We conducted an analysis to determine the performance of measles and rubella IgM testing in a jurisdiction where both infections are eliminated. 21,299 test results were extracted from the Public Health Ontario Laboratories database and 1,239 reports were extracted from the Ontario Integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) from 2008 and 2010 for measles and rubella, respectively, to 2014. Deterministic linkage resulted in 658 linked measles records (2009-2014) and 189 linked rubella records (2010-2014). Sixty-six iPHIS measles entries were classified as confirmed cases, of which 53 linked to laboratory data. Five iPHIS rubella entries were classified as confirmed, all linked to IgM results. The positive predictive value was 17.4% for measles and 3.6% for rubella. Sensitivity was 79.2% for measles and 100.0% for rubella. Specificity was 65.7% for measles and 25.8% for rubella. Our study confirms that a positive IgM alone does not confirm a measles case in elimination settings. This has important implications for countries that are working towards measles and rubella elimination.

Short-Read Whole-Genome Sequencing for Laboratory-Based Surveillance of Bordetella pertussis.

Bordetella pertussis is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes respiratory infections in humans. Ongoing molecular surveillance of B. pertussis acellular vaccine (aP) antigens is critical for understanding the interaction between evolutionary pressures, disease pathogenesis, and vaccine effectiveness. Methods currently used to characterize aP components are relatively labor-intensive and low throughput. To address this challenge, we sought to derive aP antigen genotypes from minimally processed short-read whole-genome sequencing data generated from 40 clinical B. pertussis isolates and analyzed using the SRST2 bioinformatic package. SRST2 was able to identify aP antigen genotypes for all antigens with the exception of pertactin, possibly due to low read coverage in GC-rich low-complexity regions of variation. Two main genotypes were observed in addition to a singular third genotype that contained an 84-bp deletion that was identified by SRST2 despite the issues in allele calling. This method has the potential to generate large pools of B. pertussis molecular data that can be linked to clinical and epidemiological information to facilitate research of vaccine effectiveness and disease severity in the context of emerging vaccine antigen-deficient strains.

Trends in medical and nonmedical immunization exemptions to measles-containing vaccine in Ontario: an annual cross-sectional assessment of students from school years 2002/03 to 2012/13.

BACKGROUND: Under Ontario legislation, for select vaccine-preventable diseases nonimmunized or under-immunized students must undergo vaccination or provide a statement of exemption, or risk suspension from school. At the time of this assessment, these diseases included measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. METHODS: Exemptions data for the school years 2002/03 to 2012/13 were obtained from the Immunization Records Information System used in Ontario. Temporal trends were expressed for 7- and 17-year-old students by exemption classification (medical, prior immunity, religious or conscientious belief, total) at the provincial level, by school year and by birth cohort. Regional analysis was conducted for the 2012/13 school year. A temporal trend analysis of exemptions for measles-containing vaccines was performed by using a Poisson distribution with a 2-sided test (α = 5%). RESULTS: For both 7- and 17-year-old students, religious or conscientious exemptions for measles-containing vaccines significantly increased over the study period (p < 0.001 in both age groups), whereas medical exemptions decreased (p < 0.001 in both age groups). The trends were reproduced when examined by birth cohort. The percentage of Ontario students with any exemption classification (total exemptions) remained low (< 2.5%) during the study period, although considerable geographic variation was noted. INTERPRETATION: Ontario data suggest that nonmedical exemptions have increased during the last 11 years, consistent with trends reported elsewhere. The trend toward increasing religious or conscientious exemptions coupled with declining medical exemptions explains why total exemptions have remained stable or decreased at the provincial level. The prominent geographic variability in exemptions suggests that targeted interventions may be suitable for consideration.

Global travel patterns and risk of measles in Ontario and Quebec, Canada: 2007-2011.

BACKGROUND: In 2011 the largest measles outbreak in North America in a decade occurred in Quebec, Canada with over 700 cases. In contrast, measles activity in neighbouring province Ontario remained low (8 cases). Our objective was to determine the extent to which the difference could be explained by differing travel patterns. METHODS: We explored the relationship between measles cases over 2007-2011, by importation classification, in Quebec and Ontario in relation to global travel patterns to each province using an ecological approach. Global measles exposure was estimated by multiplying the monthly traveler volume for each country of origin into Quebec or Ontario by the yearly measles incidence rate for the corresponding country. Visual inspection of temporal figures and calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients were performed. RESULTS: Global measles exposure was similar in Ontario and Quebec. In Quebec, there was a nearly perfectly linear relationship between annual measles cases and its global measles exposure index over 2007-2011 (r = 0.99, p = 0.001). In contrast, there was a non-significant association in Ontario. The 2011 rise in Quebec's index was largely driven by a dramatic increase in measles activity in France the same year. CONCLUSIONS: Global measles activity was associated with measles epidemiology in Quebec. Global measles exposure risk is higher in Ontario than Quebec. Differences in measles epidemiology between Ontario and Quebec from 2007-2011 are not explained by greater exposure in Quebec. A combination of alternative factors may be responsible, including differences in population susceptibility.

Rubella immunity among prenatal women in Ontario, 2006-2010.

BACKGROUND: Countries of the Americas have been working towards rubella elimination since 2003 and endemic rubella virus transmission appears to have been interrupted since 2009. To contribute towards monitoring of rubella elimination, we assessed rubella seroprevalence among prenatal screening tests performed in Ontario. METHODS: Specimens received for prenatal rubella serologic testing at the Public Health Ontario Laboratory, the provincial reference laboratory, between 2006 and 2010 were analyzed. A patient-based dataset was created using all tests occurring among 15-49 year-old females, where prenatal screening was indicated. Multiple tests were assigned to the same patient on the basis of health card number, name and date of birth. Only unique tests performed at least nine months apart were included. SAS version 9.2 was used for analysis. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2010, we identified 459,963 women who underwent 551,160 unique prenatal screening tests for rubella. Of these, 81.6%, 17.1% and 1.4% had one, two and three or more tests respectively. CONCLUSION: Rubella susceptibility among prenatal women in Ontario supports elimination goals as population immunity in this group is relatively high. Higher susceptibility among young women and women living in the north highlights an opportunity for greater focus on identification and immunization of susceptible women in these groups.

Have changing pneumococcal vaccination programmes impacted disease in Ontario?

BACKGROUND: Publicly funded infant 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in Ontario, Canada in 2005 and was replaced by 10- and 13-valent vaccines (PCV10, PCV13) in October 2009 and November 2010, respectively. Among adults ≥ 65 years, a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has been universally available since 1996. In January 2012, PCV13 was approved for adults ≥ 50 years. This study examines the impact of publicly funded vaccination programmes on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). METHODS: Laboratory data from population-based surveillance for IPD conducted at the Toronto Invasive Bacterial Disease Network and from Public Health Ontario Laboratories between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2010 there were 3259 cases of IPD; overall incidence was 7.4/9.3/8.3 per 100,000 in 2008/9/10, respectively. Incidence increased significantly among adults 65+ years during the period; this group had the highest incidence (21.5-25.6/100,000). The second highest incidence in 2008 and 2009 was in infants <1 year, whereas in 2010 it was in children 1-4 years. Among children <5 years, 68% and 19% of serotypes were covered by PCV13 and PCV10, respectively, between 2008 and 2010. In 2009, 6 cases with the 3 additional PCV10 serotypes were reported in infants compared with 2 in 2010. Among persons eligible for PCV7 (born≥2004), there was a 77% decrease in the rate of IPD due to PCV7 serotypes between 2008 and 2010 and a 60% decrease in PCV7 serotypes among persons not vaccine-eligible (born<2004). There was a 15% difference in serotype coverage between PCV13 and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine in adults≥50 years. CONCLUSIONS: During Ontario's PCV7 programme, serotype-specific decreases in IPD were observed, suggesting vaccine programme success, including herd immunity. Our results also suggest some early impact among infants from PCV10 introduction. A substantial burden of disease was also observed among older adults.

An assessment of mumps vaccine effectiveness by dose during an outbreak in Canada.

BACKGROUND: This investigation was done to assess vaccine effectiveness of one and two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine during an outbreak of mumps in Ontario. The level of coverage required to reach herd immunity and interrupt community transmission of mumps was also estimated. METHODS: Information on confirmed cases of mumps was retrieved from Ontario's integrated Public Health Information System. Cases that occurred between Sept. 1, 2009, and June 10, 2010, were included. Selected health units supplied coverage data from the Ontario Immunization Record Information System. Vaccine effectiveness by dose was calculated using the screening method. The basic reproductive number (R(0)) represents the average number of new infections per case in a fully susceptible population, and R(0) values of between 4 and 10 were considered for varying levels of vaccine effectiveness. RESULTS: A total of 134 confirmed cases of mumps were identified. Information on receipt of MMR vaccine was available for 114 (85.1%) cases, of whom 63 (55.3%) reported having received only one dose of vaccine; 32 (28.1%) reported having received two doses. Vaccine effectiveness of one dose of the MMR vaccine ranged from 49.2% to 81.6%, whereas vaccine effectiveness of two doses ranged from 66.3% to 88.0%. If we assume vaccine effectiveness of 85% for two doses of the vaccine, vaccine coverage of 88.2% and 98.0% would be needed to interrupt community transmission of mumps if the corresponding reproductive values were four and six. INTERPRETATION: Our estimates of vaccine effectiveness of one and two doses of mumps-containing vaccine were consistent with the estimates that have been reported in other outbreaks. Outbreaks occurring in Ontario and elsewhere serve as a warning against complacency over vaccination programs.

Estimating background rates of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Ontario in order to respond to safety concerns during pandemic H1N1/09 immunization campaign.

BACKGROUND: The province of Ontario, Canada initiated mass immunization clinics with adjuvanted pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine in October 2009. Due to the scale of the campaign, temporal associations with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and vaccination were expected. The objectives of this analysis were to estimate the number of background GBS cases expected to occur in the projected vaccinated population and to estimate the number of additional GBS cases which would be expected if an association with vaccination existed. The number of influenza-associated GBS cases was also determined. METHODS: Baseline incidence rates of GBS were determined from published Canadian studies and applied to projected vaccine coverage data to estimate the expected number of GBS cases in the vaccinated population. Assuming an association with vaccine existed, the number of additional cases of GBS expected was determined by applying the rates observed during the 1976 Swine Flu and 1992/1994 seasonal influenza campaigns in the United States. The number of influenza-associated GBS cases expected to occur during the vaccination campaign was determined based on risk estimates of GBS after influenza infection and provincial influenza infection rates using a combination of laboratory-confirmed cases and data from a seroprevalence study. RESULTS: The overall provincial vaccine coverage was estimated to be between 32% and 38%. Assuming 38% coverage, between 6 and 13 background cases of GBS were expected within this projected vaccinated cohort (assuming 32% coverage yielded between 5-11 background cases). An additional 6 or 42 cases would be expected if an association between GBS and influenza vaccine was observed (assuming 32% coverage yielded 5 or 35 additional cases); while up to 31 influenza-associated GBS cases could be expected to occur. In comparison, during the same period, only 7 cases of GBS were reported among vaccinated persons. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses do not suggest an increased number of GBS cases due to the vaccine. Awareness of expected rates of GBS is crucial when assessing adverse events following influenza immunization. Furthermore, since individuals with influenza infection are also at risk of developing GBS, they must be considered in such analyses, particularly if the vaccine campaign and disease are occurring concurrently.

CIHI survey: Hospital costs for preterm and small-for-gestational age babies in Canada.

In 2006-2007, more than 54,000 (or one in seven) babies across Canada were born preterm or small for their gestational age (SGA). These babies are often at higher risk for morbidity and mortality than are full-term babies with normal birth weight, and account for a disproportionately high percentage of healthcare costs among newborns. This article highlights key findings from a recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Too Early, Too Small: A Profile of Small Babies across Canada, and provides information on the hospital costs among low birth weight, preterm and SGA babies. Birth weight and gestational age were found to be important determinants of hospital costs - as birth weight and gestational age decreased, average in-hospital costs increased. Furthermore, multiple-birth babies had higher hospital costs than did singleton babies. As in other areas of the health system, information relating to costs and spending can inform neonatal and obstetrical health planning and decision-making.

Syndromic surveillance of gastrointestinal illness using pharmacy over-the-counter sales. A retrospective study of waterborne outbreaks in Saskatchewan and Ontario.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if monitoring over-the-counter (OTC) drug sales could provide a timely syndromic surveillance method of detecting outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness. METHOD: This study evaluated the potential of a syndromic surveillance system by comparing retrospective pharmacy OTC sales of anti-nauseants and anti-diarrheals to emergency room visits and case numbers from two Canadian outbreaks related to water contamination by Cryptosporidium, and E.coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter. RESULTS: Local sales trends of weekly aggregate OTC products were comparable to the outbreak epidemic curves. Statistical control tests on the sales data indicated the start of the outbreak periods. CONCLUSIONS: An automated monitoring tool based on spatial and temporal trend analyses of daily OTC sales would provide supplemental community health information for public health officials that is timelier than currently available laboratory-based surveillance systems.

A seroprevalence study of west nile virus infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

West Nile virus (WNV) causes severe neurological disease in less than 1% of infections. However, meningoencephalitis may be more common in immunosuppressed transplant patients. In 2002, a WNV outbreak occurred in our region. To determine the spectrum of disease of community acquired WNV infection and assess public health behavior patterns in transplant recipients, we carried out a seroprevalence study. Patients were enrolled from outpatient transplant clinics in October 2002 and sera were screened for WNV. Questionnaires about WNV were provided to patients. Eight hundred sixteen organ transplant patients were enrolled. The seroprevalence of WNV IgM was 2/816 (0.25%; 95% CI 0.03-0.88%). By extrapolation to our entire transplant population of 2360 patients, and using data from hospital-based surveillance, the risk of meningoencephalitis in a transplant patient infected with WNV is estimated to be 40% (95% CI 16-80%). With regards to knowledge and behavior, 56% patients knew of and 47% used at least one protective measure against WNV. Only 33% used insect repellent. The risk of meningoencephalitis in transplant recipients is much higher than in the general population. There is incomplete knowledge and poor rates of compliance amongst patients with regards to WNV prevention.