Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal

Highlights: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 18, No. 7, July 2012

1. Predicting Risk for Death from MRSA Bacteremia, Mina Pastagia et al.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the bloodstream is often fatal. Vancomycin is the most frequently prescribed drug for treatment of MRSA infections with demonstrated efficacy.  Recently, however, some MRSA infections have not been responding to vancomycin, even those caused by strains considered susceptible. To provide optimal treatment and avoid vancomycin resistance, therapy should be tailored, especially for patients at highest risk for death. But who are these patients? A study that looked back at medical records and 699 frozen isolates found that risk for death from MRSA infection was highest among certain populations, including the elderly, nursing home residents, patients with severe sepsis, and patients with liver or kidney disease. Risk for death was not affected by the type of MRSA strain (vancomycin susceptible, heteroresistant, or intermediate resistant).  Risk was lower among those who had consulted an infectious disease specialist. Thus, when choosing treatment for patients with MRSA infection, it is crucial to look at patient risk factors, not just MRSA strain type. For those at high risk, consultation with an infectious disease specialist is recommended.

Contact:
Mina Pastagia
The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
minapastagia@yahoo.com

2. Electronic Event–based Surveillance for Monitoring Dengue, Latin America, Anne G. Hoen et al.

Dengue, a potentially fatal disease, is spreading around the world. An estimated 2.5 billion people in tropical and subtropical regions are at risk. Early detection of outbreaks is crucial to prevention and control of dengue virus and other viruses. Case reporting may often take weeks or months. Therefore, researchers explored whether electronic sources of real-time information (such as Internet news outlets, health expert mailing lists, social media sites, and queries to online search engines) might be faster, and they were. Although information from unofficial sources should be interpreted with caution, when used in conjunction with traditional case reporting, real-time electronic surveillance can help public health authorities allocate resources in time to avert full-blown epidemics. 

Contact:
Keri P. Stedman
Senior Media Specialist, Boston Children's Hospital
617-919-3114
keri.stedman@childrens.harvard.edu  

3. Assessment of Public Health Events through International Health Regulations, United States, 2007–2011, Katrin S. Kohl et al.

People and goods travel rapidly around the world, and so do infectious organisms. Sometimes a disease has already become widespread before it is detected and reported, which makes control efforts much more difficult. In response to this threat, the World Health Assembly enacted International Health Regulations that require participating countries to report public health events of international concern to the World Health Organization within 72 hours of detection. These health regulations went into effect in 2007 for all WHO Member States including the United States. By December 2011, 24 events reported by the United States were posted on a secure WHO web site, 12 of which were associated with influenza.  Others reported were salmonellosis outbreaks, botulism, E. coli infections, Guillain-Barré syndrome, contaminated heparin, Lassa fever, an oil spill, and typhoid fever. International Health Regulations have improved global connectivity through rapid information exchange and increased awareness of threatening situations.

Contact Dr. Katrin S. Kohl via:
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
media@cdc.gov

4. Changing Socioeconomic Indicators of Human Plague, New Mexico, USA, Anna M. Schotthoefer et al.

Plague, a rare but severe disease spread by rodents and fleas, has been traditionally associated with poor, unsanitary living conditions. To test this association, researchers in New Mexico used census data to determine the geographic and socioeconomic status of plague patients. Although they confirmed that most cases occurred in areas where the habitat supports rodents and fleas, they also found a surprising shift to more middle- to upper-class neighborhoods. In the 1980s, most cases occurred where housing conditions were poor. By the 2000s, cases were occurring in the affluent Santa Fe and Albuquerque regions. Although the cause of this shift is unknown, possibilities include relocation of affluent families to plague-prone areas or improved socioeconomic conditions among those already living in plague-prone areas.

Contact Dr. Ken Gage via:
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
media@cdc.gov

Contact:
Anna M. Schotthoefer
Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI
schotthoefer.anna@mcrf.mfldclin.edu

 

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES