Jason M. Mehal

Burden of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations in the United States, 1998–2010

Objective: To estimate the burden of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations in the United States for 1998–2010. Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative database of hospitalizations, estimated numbers and rates of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations for 1998–2010 were calculated. Etiology and outcome of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations were examined, as well as accompanying diagnoses listed along with encephalitis on the discharge records. Total hospital charges (in 2010 US dollars) were assessed. Results: An estimated 263,352 (standard error: 3,017) encephalitis-associated hospitalizations occurred in the United States during 1998–2010, which corresponds to an average of 20,258 (standard error: 232) encephalitis-associated hospitalizations per year. A fatal outcome occurred in 5.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6%–6.0%) of all encephalitis-associated hospitalizations and in 10.1% (95% CI: 9.2%–11.2%) and 17.1% (95% CI: 14.6%–20.0%) of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations in which a code for HIV or a tissue or organ transplant was listed, respectively. The proportion of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations in which an etiology for encephalitis was specified was 50.3% (95% CI: 49.6%–51.0%) and that for which the etiology was unspecified was 49.7% (95% CI: 49.0%–50.4%). Total charges for encephalitis-associated hospitalizations in 2010 were an estimated

Efficacy of Tecovirimat (ST-246) in Nonhuman Primates Infected with Variola Virus (Smallpox)

2.0 billion. Conclusions: Encephalitis remains a major public health concern in the United States. Among the large number of encephalitis-associated hospitalizations for which an etiology is not reported may be novel infectious and noninfectious forms of encephalitis. Associated conditions such as HIV or transplantation increase the risk of a fatal outcome from an encephalitis-associated hospitalization and should be monitored.

Risk factors for infectious disease death among infants in the United States.

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring smallpox has been eradicated but remains a considerable threat as a biowarfare/bioterrorist weapon (F. Fleck, Bull. World Health Organ. 81:917–918, 2003). While effective, the smallpox vaccine is currently not recommended for routine use in the general public due to safety concerns (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination). Safe and effective countermeasures, particularly those effective after exposure to smallpox, are needed. Currently, SIGA Technologies is developing the small-molecule oral drug, tecovirimat (previously known as ST-246), as a postexposure therapeutic treatment of orthopoxvirus disease, including smallpox. Tecovirimat has been shown to be efficacious in preventing lethal orthopoxviral disease in numerous animal models (G. Yang, D. C. Pevear, M. H. Davies, M. S. Collett, T. Bailey, et al., J. Virol. 79:13139–13149, 2005; D. C. Quenelle, R. M. Buller, S. Parker, K. A. Keith, D. E. Hruby, et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 51:689–695, 2007; E. Sbrana, R. Jordan, D. E. Hruby, R. I. Mateo, S. Y. Xiao, et al., Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 76:768–773, 2007). Furthermore, in clinical trials thus far, the drug appears to be safe, with a good pharmacokinetic profile. In this study, the efficacy of tecovirimat was evaluated in both a prelesional and postlesional setting in nonhuman primates challenged intravenously with 1 × 108 PFU of Variola virus (VARV; the causative agent of smallpox), a model for smallpox disease in humans. Following challenge, 50% of placebo-treated controls succumbed to infection, while all tecovirimat-treated animals survived regardless of whether treatment was started at 2 or 4 days postinfection. In addition, tecovirimat treatment resulted in dramatic reductions in dermal lesion counts, oropharyngeal virus shedding, and viral DNA circulating in the blood. Although clinical disease was evident in tecovirimat-treated animals, it was generally very mild and appeared to resolve earlier than in placebo-treated controls that survived infection. Tecovirimat appears to be an effective smallpox therapeutic in nonhuman primates, suggesting that it is reasonably likely to provide therapeutic benefit in smallpox-infected humans.

Molluscum Contagiosum in a Pediatric American Indian Population: Incidence and Risk Factors

Background: Infectious diseases (IDs) are an important cause of infant mortality in the United States. This study describes maternal and infant characteristics associated with infant ID deaths in the United States. Methods: Infant deaths with an ID underlying cause of death occurring in the United States were examined using the 2008–2009 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death public use data files. Average annual ID infant mortality rates for singleton infants were calculated. A retrospective case-control study was conducted to determine infant and maternal risk factors for infant ID death among low (LBW) and normal (NBW) birth weight groups. Controls were defined as infants surviving to the end of their birth year. Risk factors for infant ID deaths were determined through multivariable logistic regression. Results: An estimated 3843 infant ID deaths occurred in the United States during 2008–2009, an overall ID infant mortality rate of 47.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. The mortality rate for LBW and NBW infants were 514.8 and 15.5, respectively. Male sex, younger maternal age (<25 years), a live birth order of fourth or more and low 5-minute Apgar score were associated with increased ID death among LBW and NBW infants. Additionally, black maternal race was associated with increased ID death among LBW infants, and having an unmarried mother was associated with increased ID death among NBW infants. Conclusions: Awareness of associations with infant ID death should help in development of further strategic measures to reduce infant ID morbidity and mortality.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease deaths in the United States, 1999–2009

Background Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) causes an innocuous yet persistent skin infection in immunocompetent individuals and is spread by contact with lesions. Studies point to atopic dermatitis (AD) as a risk factor for MCV infection; however, there are no longitudinal studies that have evaluated this hypothesis. Methods Outpatient visit data from fiscal years 2001–2009 for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children were examined to describe the incidence of molluscum contagiosum (MC). We conducted a case-control study of patients <5 years old at an Indian Health Service (IHS) clinic to evaluate dermatological risk factors for infection. Results The incidence rate for MC in children <5 years old was highest in the West and East regions. MC cases were more likely to have a prior or co-occurring diagnosis of eczema, eczema or dermatitis, impetigo, and scabies (p<0.05) compared to controls; 51.4% of MC cases had a prior or co-occurring diagnosis of eczema or dermatitis. Conclusions The present study is the first demonstration of an association between AD and MC using a case-control study design. It is unknown if the concurrent high incidence of eczema and MC is related, and this association deserves further investigation.

Risk factors for diarrhea-associated infant mortality in the United States, 2005-2007.

Abstract Our objective was to examine trends and epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND) associated deaths in the United States. ALS/MND associated death rates and trends in the United States for 1999–2009 were examined using the multiple cause-of-death mortality data. Age-specific and age-adjusted death rates were calculated. For 1999–2009, the average annual age-adjusted death rate was 2.17/100,000 persons. The age-specific rate increased with age until 75–79 years. Males experienced a higher death rate than females. There was no definitive trend in the annual ALS/MND associated death rate, although analyses suggested a possible decrease (p = 0.05); however, the rate increased for persons 20–49 years of age and declined for persons ≥ 65 years of age. The annual rate for males decreased whereas the rate for females showed no change. In conclusion, the suggested decreasing annual ALS/MND associated death rate for 1999–2009 contrasts with earlier reports indicating that the incidence and death rate of ALS were increasing. While the ALS/MND associated death rate slightly increased among adults 20–49 years of age, rates declined among two subpopulations at higher risk for ALS/MND – males and persons ≥ 65 years of age. Continued monitoring of ALS/MND mortality data and additional epidemiological studies will be important to further elucidate these epidemiological trends.

Infant and maternal risk factors related to necrotising enterocolitis-associated infant death in the United States.

Background: Diarrhea-associated deaths among US children increased from the mid-1980s through 2006, particularly among infants. Understanding risk factors for diarrhea-associated death could improve prevention strategies. Methods: Records of singleton infants with diarrhea listed anywhere on the death certificate were selected from the US Linked Birth/Infant Death data for the period, 2005 to 2007; characteristics of these infants were compared with those of infants who survived their first year. Results: During 2005 to 2007, 1087 diarrhea-associated infant deaths were reported; 86% occurred among low birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) infants. Compared with normal birth weight (NBW, ≥2500 g) infants, LBW infants had a greater mortality rate (risk ratio: 91.9, 95% confidence interval: 77.4–109.0) and younger median age at death (7 versus 15 weeks, P < 0.0001). The most common codiagnoses for diarrhea-associated death among LBW and NBW infants were sepsis (26%) and volume depletion (20%), respectively. Among LBW infants, 97% of diarrhea-associated deaths occurred in inpatient settings, whereas 27% of NBW infant deaths occurred in outpatient settings and 5.3% in the decedent’s home. Male sex, black race, unmarried status and low 5-minute Apgar score (<7) increased mortality odds among LBW infants whereas, among NBW infants, low 5-minute Apgar score, black race, young maternal age (<25 years) and high birth order (third or more) increased mortality odds. Conclusions: Efforts to reduce diarrhea-associated morality should focus on understanding and improving management of diarrhea in vulnerable LBW infants. For prevention of diarrhea-associated deaths in NBW infants, educating mothers who fit the high-risk profile regarding home hydration therapy and timely access to medical treatment is important.

Epidemiology of Asthma Hospitalizations Among American Indian and Alaska Native People and the General United States Population

To evaluate necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)‐associated infant death and identify risk factors related to NEC infant death in the United States.

Parkinson's disease among American Indians and Alaska natives: A nationwide prevalence study

BACKGROUND Asthma, a common chronic disease among adults and children in the United States, results in nearly one-half million hospitalizations annually. There has been no evaluation of asthma hospitalizations for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people since a previous study using data for 1988-2002. In this study, we describe the epidemiology and trends for asthma hospitalizations among AI/AN people and the general US population for 2003-2011. METHODS Hospital discharge records with a first-listed diagnosis of asthma for 2003-2011 were examined for AI/AN people, using Indian Health Service (IHS) data, and for the general US population, using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Average annual crude and age-adjusted hospitalization rates were calculated. RESULTS The average annual asthma hospitalization rates for AI/AN people and the general US population decreased from 2003-2005 to 2009-2011 (32% and 11% [SE, 3%], respectively). The average annual age-adjusted rate for 2009-2011 was lower for AI/AN people (7.6 per 10,000 population) compared with the general US population (13.2 per 10,000; 95% CI, 12.8-13.6). Age-specific AI/AN rates were highest among infants and children 1 to 4 years of age. IHS regional rates declined in all regions except Alaska. CONCLUSIONS Asthma hospitalization rates are decreasing for AI/AN people and the general US population despite increasing prevalence rates. AI/AN people experienced a substantially lower age-adjusted asthma hospitalization rate compared with the general US population. Although the rates for AI/AN infants and children 1 to 4 years of age have declined substantially, they remain higher compared with other age groups. Improved disease management and awareness should help to further decrease asthma hospitalizations, particularly among young children.

Chronic Liver Disease-Associated Hospitalizations among Adults with Diabetes, National Inpatient Sample, 2001–2012:

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Parkinsons disease (PD) among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people.