Search

Cases of seroconversion on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be carefully investigated, given their public health implications and rarity. We report a case of transmitted drug resistance causing seroconversion on PrEP in spite of high adherence, confirmed with dried blood spot and segmental hair drug-level testing and single-genome sequencing.

The article discusses the issue of congenital syphilis in Texas and the efforts being made by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to address it. Congenital syphilis is a preventable disease that can have severe effects on babies if not treated during pregnancy. The number of cases in Texas has increased significantly in recent years, but preliminary data for 2023 suggests that the number of cases has stabilized. DSHS is working to raise awareness about the disease, provide resources and training to healthcare professionals, and encourage timely testing and treatment. The article emphasizes the importance of collaboration and proactive measures to protect babies from this disease. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights the author's recent travels across Texas to visit public health regions and local health departments, showcasing the dedication of public health professionals. Topics discussed include the importance of meat safety inspections at Texas Pride Processing, the expertise of regional zoonosis control staff at Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area, and the efforts of local health departments in Cherokee and Gregg counties to provide essential health services.

The article focuses on the resurgence of wastewater surveillance as a crucial tool in public health, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include the historical significance of wastewater analysis, its correlation with disease spread, and its role in enhancing public health surveillance and decision-making, as evidenced by Texas' partnership with Baylor University in a pilot project to monitor COVID-19 spread in various community settings.

The article by Jennifer Shuford, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, emphasizes key priorities for 2024 and beyond, including addressing the resurgence of congenital syphilis, improving maternal mortality and morbidity data, and fostering academic-public health partnerships. Topics include combating congenital syphilis, enhancing maternal safety through TexasAIM, and advancing public health through academic collaborations.

In the article, the author discusses fentanyl as a public health issue in the U.S., particularly in Texas. Also cited are the Texas death certificate data showing the growing number of drug poisoning fatalities due to fentanyl, and the efforts by government agencies and officials to address the issue like the One Pill Kills campaign by Governor Greg Abbott to raise awareness about the risks of fentanyl.

In the article, the author discusses the legislative updates in Texas as of October 2023, particularly the bills that could have a direct effect on the operation of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and public health. Also cited are the budget request made by the DSHS to fund specific programs and projects, and the exceptional initiatives like the continued modernization of systems like the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS).

The article focuses on the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) exceptional item requests for funding in the upcoming state budget. Topics include funding for public health capacity, improving data systems, maternal health; reducing preventable disease; and supporting the Texas trauma system's emergency response capabilities.

The article focuses on the new interim commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and her background in public health; other topics include her education and career path, her passion for public health, and her optimism for the future of public health in Texas.

Understanding the duration of antibodies to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that causes COVID-19 is important to controlling the current pandemic. Participants from the Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey (Texas CARES) with at least 1 nucleocapsid protein antibody test were selected for a longitudinal analysis of antibody duration. A linear mixed model was fit to data from participants (n = 4553) with 1 to 3 antibody tests over 11 months (1 October 2020 to 16 September 2021), and models fit showed that expected antibody response after COVID-19 infection robustly increases for 100 days postinfection, and predicts individuals may remain antibody positive from natural infection beyond 500 days depending on age, body mass index, smoking or vaping use, and disease severity (hospitalized or not; symptomatic or not)., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: No reported conflicts of interest. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

In December 2020, the B.1.1.7 genetic variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was first reported after emergence and rapid circulation in the United Kingdom (1). Evidence suggests that the B.1.1.7 variant is more efficiently transmitted than are other SARS-CoV-2 variants, and widespread circulation could thereby increase SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization rates (1,2). The first reported SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant case in the United States was confirmed by sequencing in Colorado on December 29, 2020.* This report describes a person who traveled from the United Kingdom to the United States after experiencing COVID-19-compatible symptoms † and was eventually confirmed to be infected with the B.1.1.7 variant., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused unprecedented flooding and devastation to the Houston metropolitan area (1). Mold exposure was a serious concern because investigations after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005) had documented extensive mold growth in flood-damaged homes (2,3). Because mold exposure can cause serious illnesses known as invasive mold infections (4,5), and immunosuppressed persons are at high risk for these infections (6,7), several federal agencies recommend that immunosuppressed persons avoid mold-contaminated sites (8,9). To assess the extent of exposure to mold and flood-damaged areas among persons at high risk for invasive mold infections after Hurricane Harvey, CDC and Texas health officials conducted a survey among 103 immunosuppressed residents in Houston. Approximately half of the participants (50) engaged in cleanup of mold and water-damaged areas; these activities included heavy cleanup (23), such as removing furniture or removing drywall, or light cleanup (27), such as wiping down walls or retrieving personal items. Among immunosuppressed persons who performed heavy cleanup, 43% reported wearing a respirator, as did 8% who performed light cleanup. One participant reported wearing all personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for otherwise healthy persons (i.e., respirator, boots, goggles, and gloves). Immunosuppressed residents who are at high risk for invasive mold infections were exposed to mold and flood-damaged areas after Hurricane Harvey; recommendations from health care providers to avoid exposure to mold and flood-damaged areas could mitigate the risk to immunosuppressed persons., Competing Interests: Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner reports grants and personal fees from Astellas, personal fees from Merck & Co., grants and personal fees from Pfizer, grants and personal fees from Cidara, grants and personal fees from Scynexis, personal fees from F2G, grants from Amplyx, personal fees from Mayne, personal fees from Gilead, personal fees from NovaDigm, personal fees from United Medical, and personal fees from Stendhal outside the submitted work. Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis reports honoraria for lectures from Merck & Co., Gilead, and United Medicine and also reports consulting fees from Merck & Co., Astellas, Cidara, Amplyx, and Mayne. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Association of cefazolin treatment failure with type A beta-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus has been suggested. The prevalence of beta-lactamase gene types among 23 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates associated with prosthetic joint infection (PJI) treated with cefazolin was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical and microbiologic outcomes were assessed. PCR revealed 4 isolates without blaZ, and 12 with type A, 2 with type B, and 5 with type C blaZ. Of 13 patients undergoing resection arthroplasty with subsequent reimplantation, all received antimicrobial spacer placement at resection with or without antimicrobial-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate at reimplantation. All 13 cases had tissue cultures at time of reimplantation that were negative for S. aureus and 11 had histopathology specimens showing no acute inflammation. Of 8 type A cases undergoing reimplantation, all prostheses remained in place at follow-up (median, 798 days; range, 32-927 days). We conclude that type A blaZ is common in MSSA PJI and that cefazolin therapy for blaZ MSSA PJI can be successful when combined with 2-stage reimplantation and local antimicrobial therapy.