Project description:Background:Statewide tracking and reporting is an outpatient antimicrobial stewardship tool that may be useful for many stakeholders. However, to date, these evaluations have been limited. This study aimed to track and report outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Medicare Part B enrollees diagnosed with cystitis in the outpatient setting. Methods:This was a retrospective, cohort study of Medicare Part B enrollees in New York State. Inclusion criteria include outpatient visit in 2016 or 2017, cystitis diagnosis code, and oral antibiotic prescription ?3 days after diagnosis of cystitis. Antibiotics were categorized as first-line, oral ?-lactams, fluoroquinolones, or other per Infectious Diseases Society of America acute uncomplicated cystitis guidelines. Data were stratified by sex. Annual prescriptions proportions were compared using ??2 test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results:A total of 50 658 prescriptions were included. For females' prescriptions, first line increased (41.5% vs 43.8%, P < .0001), oral ?-lactams increased (17.8% vs 20.5%, P < .0001), fluoroquinolones decreased (34.1% vs 29.1%, P < .0001), and other increased (6.5% vs 6.6%, P = .76) in 2017. For males' prescriptions, first line increased (25.2% vs 26.7%, P = .11), oral ?-lactams increased (23.1% vs 26.2%, P = .0003), fluoroquinolones decreased (44.0% vs 39.3%, P < .0001), and other remained unchanged (7.8% vs 7.8%, P = .92) in 2017. Conclusions:Guideline concordant therapy prescribing for cystitis increased among Medicare Part B beneficiaries in New York State between 2016 and 2017. However, there was still a high prevalence of fluoroquinolone prescribing. These data highlight the need for additional outpatient antimicrobial stewardship efforts in New York State.
Project description:The ongoing pandemic is laying bare dramatic differences in the spread of COVID-19 across seemingly similar urban environments. Identifying the urban determinants that underlie these differences is an open research question, which can contribute to more epidemiologically resilient cities, optimized testing and detection strategies, and effective immunization efforts. Here, we perform a computational analysis of COVID-19 spread in three cities of similar size in New York State (Colonie, New Rochelle, and Utica) aiming to isolate urban determinants of infections and deaths. We develop detailed digital representations of the cities and simulate COVID-19 spread using a complex agent-based model, taking into account differences in spatial layout, mobility, demographics, and occupational structure of the population. By critically comparing pandemic outcomes across the three cities under equivalent initial conditions, we provide compelling evidence in favor of the central role of hospitals. Specifically, with highly efficacious testing and detection, the number and capacity of hospitals, as well as the extent of vaccination of hospital employees are key determinants of COVID-19 spread. The modulating role of these determinants is reduced at lower efficacy of testing and detection, so that the pandemic outcome becomes equivalent across the three cities.
Project description:Bourbon virus (BRBV, family Orthomyxoviridae) is a tickborne virus recently detected in the United States (US). BRBV was first identified from a fatal human case in 2014 in Bourbon County, Kansas. Enhanced surveillance in Kansas and Missouri implicated Amblyomma americanum as the primary vector for BRBV. Historically, BRBV was only detected in the lower midwestern US, but since 2020 it has been reported in North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York State (NYS). This study aimed to elucidate genetic and phenotypic characteristics of BRBV strains from NYS through whole genome sequencing and the assessment of replication kinetics in mammalian cultures and A. americanum nymphs. Sequence analysis revealed the existence of two divergent BRBV clades circulating in NYS. BRBV NY21-2143 is closely related to the midwestern BRBV strains but has unique substitutions in the glycoprotein. Two other NYS BRBV strains, BRBV NY21-1814 and BRBV NY21-2666, form a distinct clade unique from previously sequenced BRBV strains. Phenotypic diversification was also detected in NYS BRBV strains compared to each other and midwestern BRBV strains, with BRBV NY21-2143 displaying attenuation in rodent-derived cell culture and a fitness advantage in experimentally infected A. americanum. These data suggest genetic and phenotypic diversification of emergent BRBV strains circulating in NYS that could contribute to increased spread of BRBV in the northeastern US.
Project description:ImportanceMore evidence on associations between mandated paid sick leave and health service utilization among low-income adults is needed to guide health policy and legislation nationwide.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between New York City's 2014 paid sick leave mandate and health care utilization among Medicaid-enrolled adults.Design setting and participantsThis retrospective cohort study used New York State Medicaid administrative data for adults 18 to 64 years old continuously enrolled in Medicaid from August 1, 2011, through July 31, 2017. A difference-in-differences approach with entropy balancing weights was used to compare New York City with the rest of New York State to assess the association of the paid sick leave mandate with health care utilization, and for those 40 to 64 years old, with preventive care utilization. The data analysis was performed from June through August 2020.ExposuresTemporal and spatial variation in exposure to the mandate.Main outcomes and measuresAnnual health care utilization (emergency care, specialist visits, and primary care clinician visits) per Medicaid-enrolled adult. Secondary outcomes include categories of emergency utilization and utilization of 5 preventive services.ResultsOf 552 857 individuals (mean [SD] age, 43 [12] years; 351 130 [64%] women) who met inclusion criteria, 99 181 (18%) were White, 162 492 (29%) Black, and 138 061 (25%) Hispanic. Paid sick leave was significantly associated with a reduction in the probability of emergency care (-0.6 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI, -0.7 to -0.5 pp; P < .001), including a 0.3 pp reduction (95% CI, -0.4 to -0.2; P < .001) in care for conditions treatable in a primary care setting and an increase in annual outpatient visits (0.124 pp; 95% CI, 0.040 to 0.208 pp; P < .001). Among those 40 to 64 years old, the mandate was significantly associated with increased probabilities of glycated hemoglobin A1c level testing (2.9 pp; 95% CI, 2.5-3.3 pp; P < .001), blood cholesterol testing (2.7 pp; 95% CI, 2.5-2.9 pp; P < .001), and colon cancer screening (0.4 pp; 95% CI, 0.2-0.6 pp; P < .001).Conclusions and relevanceThis retrospective cohort study of nonelderly adults enrolled in Medicaid New York State showed that mandated paid sick leave in New York City was significantly associated with differences in several dimensions of health care services use.
Project description:BACKGROUND:A multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is associated with coronavirus disease 2019. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) established active, statewide surveillance to describe hospitalized patients with the syndrome. METHODS:Hospitals in New York State reported cases of Kawasaki's disease, toxic shock syndrome, myocarditis, and potential MIS-C in hospitalized patients younger than 21 years of age and sent medical records to the NYSDOH. We carried out descriptive analyses that summarized the clinical presentation, complications, and outcomes of patients who met the NYSDOH case definition for MIS-C between March 1 and May 10, 2020. RESULTS:As of May 10, 2020, a total of 191 potential cases were reported to the NYSDOH. Of 95 patients with confirmed MIS-C (laboratory-confirmed acute or recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] infection) and 4 with suspected MIS-C (met clinical and epidemiologic criteria), 53 (54%) were male; 31 of 78 (40%) were black, and 31 of 85 (36%) were Hispanic. A total of 31 patients (31%) were 0 to 5 years of age, 42 (42%) were 6 to 12 years of age, and 26 (26%) were 13 to 20 years of age. All presented with subjective fever or chills; 97% had tachycardia, 80% had gastrointestinal symptoms, 60% had rash, 56% had conjunctival injection, and 27% had mucosal changes. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, d-dimer, and troponin were found in 100%, 91%, and 71% of the patients, respectively; 62% received vasopressor support, 53% had evidence of myocarditis, 80% were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 2 died. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days. CONCLUSIONS:The emergence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in New York State coincided with widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission; this hyperinflammatory syndrome with dermatologic, mucocutaneous, and gastrointestinal manifestations was associated with cardiac dysfunction.
Project description:In New York State, domestic animals are no longer considered rabies vector species, but given their ubiquity with humans, rabies cases in dogs and cats often result in multiple individuals requiring post-exposure prophylaxis. For over a decade, the New York State rabies laboratory has variant-typed these domestic animals to aid in epidemiological investigations, determine exposures, and generate demographic data. We produced a data set that outlined vaccination status, ownership, and rabies results. Our data demonstrate that a large percentage of felines submitted for rabies testing were not vaccinated or did not have a current rabies vaccination, while canines were largely vaccinated. Despite massive vaccination campaigns, free clinics, and education, these companion animals still occasionally contract rabies. Barring translocation events, we note that rabies-positive cats and dogs in New York State have exclusively contracted a raccoon variant. While the United States has made tremendous strides in reducing its rabies burden, we hope these data will encourage responsible pet ownership including rabies vaccinations to reduce unnecessary animal mortality, long quarantines, and post-exposure prophylaxis in humans.
Project description:From 2007 to 2014 the New York State (NYS) Newborn Screening (NBS) program screened 2 million newborns for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The data was analyzed to determine factors that affect 17?-hydroxyprogesterone levels and assist in developing algorithm changes that would improve the positive predictive value of the methodology being used. The concentration of 17-OHP in dried blood spots was measured using the AutoDELFIA Neonatal 17-OHP kit (Perkin Elmer, Turku, Finland). During the 8 year period of this study 2476 babies were referred, 105 babies were diagnosed with CAH (90 with the salt-wasting (SW), 8 with simple virilizing (SV), 5 with non-classical CAH, and 2 with another enzyme deficiency) and, 14 with possible CAH. Three false negative cases with SV-CAH were reported to the program. Of the total 108 known cases, 74 (69%) infants were detected by newborn screening in the absence of clinical information, or, known family history. The incidence of CAH in NYS is 1 in 18,170 with a ratio of SW to SV of 8.2:1. The incidence of CAH is lower in Black infants than in White, Hispanic and Asian infants. Despite a lower mean birth weight, female infants have a lower mean 17-OHP value than male infants and are under-represented in the referred category. As per other NBS programs the false positive rate is exacerbated by prematurity/low birth weight and by over-early specimen collection.
Project description:Three new species of Phyllosticta, P. hostae on Hosta plantaginea (China), P. schimae on Schima superba (China), and P. ilicis-aquifolii on Ilex aquifolium (UK), are described and illustrated in this study. They are compared with morphologically similar and phylogenetically closely related species. A polyphasic approach using phylogeny, host association, disease symptoms, colony and morphological characteristics, is employed to justify the introduction of the new taxa. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other Phyllosticta species are revealed by DNA sequence analyses based on the nrDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and a combined multilocus alignment of the ITS, partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), actin (ACT), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) gene regions.
Project description:Enterobacter spp. are rarely resistant to carbapenems. In this report, one Enterobacter sp. isolate possessed bla(KPC-3) and two possessed bla(KPC-2). For all three strains, the imipenem MICs were dependent on the inoculum and testing method; two were reported by the clinical laboratories to be carbapenem susceptible. Improved detection methods will be necessary to identify these enzymes.