Medical and Research Library News
DSHS Medical and Research Library publishes MRL News, a monthly newsletter that highlights training opportunities, trending topics, and journal articles for public health professionals.
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Medical and Research Library News By Month
Medical and Research Library News
July 2024
Training opportunities
Websites and reports on trending topics
Journal articles of note
New books
Training opportunities
The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn
more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are in Central Time.
July 10, 2024; 4–5 p.m. Vaccines of Global Health Importance: What's New or on the Horizon.
Vaccines represent a significant public health achievement, saving over 154 million lives during the past 50 years. This webinar from Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) will discuss new vaccines that have been licensed in the US or available globally in the past few years, as well as promising vaccines in phase 3 trials. Also reviewed will be a wish list for new vaccines.
July 10, 2024; 10-11 a.m. AI in Healthcare: Balancing Risk and Opportunity.
Technology is advancing at a rapid pace in what can feel like every sector of our lives, and healthcare is not exempt. AI assists in detecting, predicting, and monitoring health status, conditions, and behavior and assists in processes related to direct healthcare delivery. This presentation the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) provides practical guidance on how to start creating a system for the ethical use of AI so healthcare organizations can mitigate risks of AI and leverage it as a beneficial tool.
July 17, 2024; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lessons with the State of Washington on Medicaid Data and Tobacco Use.
Join the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and public health experts for a virtual presentation on Medicaid members who use tobacco in King County, Washington and their associated utilization of care. This webinar presents opportunities for public health utilization of Medicaid data.
July 18, 2024; 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Standing Out In the Storm: Caregiving in Rare Disease.
Whoever came up with the expression “not all heroes wear capes” probably had a caregiver in mind. Caring for someone with a rare disease comes with a maelstrom of challenges, often requiring a multifaceted approach that addresses medical, emotional, and practical needs. This webinar from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) aims to provide caregivers with valuable knowledge and strategies to navigate the complexities of caregiving in the context of rare diseases, empowering them to provide effective support while maintaining their own well-being.
July 24, 2024; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Innovation in Diagnostic and Programmatic Approaches for Perinatal Syphilis.
This webinar is offered by the DSHS Office of Practice and Learning Grand Rounds program. Presenters will discuss challenges in syphilis management and introduce new research in the field of syphilis diagnostics, including the implementation of an opt-out and rapid testing strategy in the emergency room setting. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 20 minutes for Q&A.
Websites and reports on trending topics
CINAHL Complete – This DSHS resource provides access to the literature in nursing and allied health disciplines dating back to 1981. The full text of 600 journals can be found within, and over 5,600 journals are indexed including virtually all English language nursing journals along with selected titles in biomedicine, alternative therapies, and consumer health. Please contact the library for remote access options.
Disaster Research Response (DR2) Resources Portal – The DR2 portal is a repository of data collection tools and related resources curated by the National Institutes of Health to empower human health research in response to disasters and public health emergencies.
ECRI Guidelines Trust - This publicly available repository of objective, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines provides physicians, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners with up-to-date clinical practices to advance safe and effective patient care.
ERIC – The ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) database is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education to provide extensive access to educational-related literature. ERIC provides coverage of journal articles, conferences, meetings, government documents, theses, reports, audiovisual media, and monographs.
Journal articles of notes
Ainsworth H, Johnson K. The accessibility of online mental health crisis resources in Texas public school districts. J Sch Nurs. Published online June 7, 2024. doi:10.1177/10598405241257925
Abstract
Youth mental health and access to mental health resources are ongoing concerns for many students, families, and school personnel. Schools are trusted entities with the potential to disseminate accurate information. However, little is known about how school districts utilize the opportunity to connect students to trustworthy online mental health crisis resources. The objective of this study was to determine whether school districts are using technology to connect students to mental health resources. Using a stratified random sample of Texas public school districts, we assessed the presence and accessibility of mental health resources through district websites. Only 20.3% of district websites had mental health crisis resources present. Further evaluation revealed that districts are not fully utilizing technology to promote online mental health crisis resources. School nurses can play a key role in expanding access to mental health crisis resources by developing and promoting such websites.
Lu Q, Dawkins-Moultin L, Cho D, et al. A multilevel intervention to promote HPV vaccination among young adults in Texas: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):1506. Published 2024 Jun 5. doi:10.1186/s12889-024-18828-9
Abstract
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx. The most recently approved HPV vaccine, Gardasil-9, protects against HPV infection and can prevent HPV-associated invasive cancers. However, Gardasil-9 is one of the most underused vaccines in the US today. Young adults are at risk for HPV infection, but many are not vaccinated. This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test an innovative multilevel intervention to increase HPV vaccination rates among young adults. In this paper, we describe the research protocol.
Methods: The study uses a two by three factorial design. A total of 1200 young adults in Texas, age 18-26 years, who have not been previously fully vaccinated against HPV will be randomly assigned to one of six conditions to receive: (1) standard CDC information about HPV vaccination (control); (2) video narratives about HPV vaccination; (3) written narratives about HPV vaccination; or (4-6) enhanced access to HPV vaccine combined with (4) standard CDC information, (5) video narratives, or (6) written narratives. The two primary outcomes are the rate of HPV vaccination initiation by 3-month follow-up and rate of HPV vaccination completion by 9-month follow-ups. We will determine the impact of the individual level intervention (i.e., persuasive narratives through video or written format), the systemic level intervention (i.e., enhanced access to HPV vaccines), and the combination of both levels, on HPV vaccination initiation and completion. We will also use purposive sampling to select participants to take part in semi-structured interviews/focus groups to better understand the mechanisms of the intervention.
Discussion: Recruitment and data collection began in March 2022. We expect to complete data collection by March 2026. We expect that narratives, enhanced access, and the combination of both will improve HPV vaccination initiation and completion rates among young adults. If proven successful, these individual- and system-level interventions can be easily disseminated in regions with low HPV vaccination rates to improve HPV vaccination, and ultimately decrease HPV-related cancer burden.
Magee C, Browning C, Stokes-Walters R, Maxwell L, Buendia J, Bhakta N. Supporting local public health and planning professionals to implement built environment changes: a technical assistance program to promote physical activity in Texas. Prev Chronic Dis. 2024;21:E45. Published 2024 Jun 20. doi:10.5888/pcd21.230420
Abstract
Built environment approaches that improve active transportation infrastructure and environmental design can increase physical activity. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Department of State Health Services rejuvenated the Texas Plan4Health program from 2018 to 2023 to expand such approaches in Texas by providing technical assistance to teams of local public health professionals and planners to identify and implement projects connecting people to everyday destinations via active transport in their communities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Texas Plan4Health to modify the delivery of technical assistance to accommodate restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings. We used qualitative methods to conduct a postintervention process evaluation to describe the modified technical assistance process, understand the experiences of the 4 participating communities, and identify short-term outcomes and lessons learned. Texas Plan4Health helped communities overcome common barriers to built environment change, facilitated collaboration across community public health and planning professionals, and educated professionals about active transportation infrastructure and the relationship between their disciplines, thereby increasing community capacity to implement built environment improvements. This outcome, however, was mediated by the pre-existing resources and previous experiences with active transportation planning among the participating communities. Public health practitioners seeking to improve active transportation infrastructure and environmental design for physical activity should consider community-engaged approaches that advance partnership-building and collaborative experiential education among public health, planning, and other local government representatives, directing particular attention and additional training toward communities with fewer resources.
Thompson JM, Spencer K, Maass M, et al. Notes from the field: anthrax on a sheep farm in winter - Texas, December 2023-January 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024;73(22):517-520. Published 2024 Jun 6.
doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7322a2
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease. In North America, cases among humans usually follow sporadic animal outbreaks during the hot, dry summer months.
What is added by this report?
An unexpected anthrax outbreak occurred during winter in a Texas county adjacent to the Anthrax Triangle, a region with enzootic anthrax. Confirmatory nonculture evidence of Bacillus anthracis infection was identified in a lamb and a symptomatic patient who prepared its meat for consumption.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Routine anthrax vaccination of animals is needed in this geographic region with known enzootic anthrax. Processing animals that die suddenly from unknown causes should be avoided, irrespective of the season.
New Books in the Library
The friction project: how smart leaders make the right things easier and the wrong things harder by Robert I. Sutton.
The plant hunter: a scientist’s quest for nature’s next medicines by Cassandra Leah Quave.
Slow productivity: the lost art of accomplishment without burnout by Cal Newport.
The struggle for public health: seven people who saved the lives of millions and transformed the way we live by Fred C. Pampel.
Understanding health policy: a clinical approach by Thomas Bodenheimer.
Writing science in plain English by Anne E. Greene.
For a complete list of all library titles, visit the Library Online Catalog.
For more information, employees may email the Medical and Research Library at library@dshs.texas.gov to receive research assistance, learn how to access electronic materials, or to obtain the full text of articles mentioned in this month’s news.
The Medical and Research Library News is sent out once a month or when important library news or events occur. Recent issues of the MRL News are online. If any of the links do not open for you, please email library@dshs.texas.gov and we will send you what you need. Thank you!
If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to library@dshs.texas.gov with Subscribe in the subject line.
Medical and Research Library News
June 2024
Training opportunities
Websites and reports on trending topics
Journal articles of note
New books
Training opportunities
The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are
in Central Time.
June 12, 2024; 1–2 p.m. Air Quality Matters: Improving Health and Lung Function with Healthy People 2030 Objectives.
This webinar from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) will present on three Healthy People 2030 featured objectives related to indoor and outdoor air quality and health. The webinar will also feature a presentation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics to share the latest data on the three featured objectives and a presentation by Healthy People 2030 Champion, the American Lung Association, to share details on their efforts to inform the public about the impact of air quality on their health and ways to reduce harmful pollution.
Jun 18, 2024; 1-2 p.m. Keeping First Things First: Prioritizing When Everything, Everywhere, All-at-Once Goes Awry.
Pandemic onset, occurrence, and aftermath continue to reveal deficiencies in emergency and disaster preparedness. In law, we see how force majeure clauses might be insufficient to address evolving causes of delays, interruptions, and shutdowns. In the supply cycle, theoretical redundancies failed, and global interconnectivities proved fragile in their complexity. In the years subsequent, we have seen how certain decisions validated or disproved leadership choices, how governance and compliance measures preserved structures, and how frameworks are evolving. Join this webinar from the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) to hear more on these topics.
June 24, 2024; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MyHealth Access Network.
This webinar is offered by the DSHS Office of Practice and Learning Grand Rounds program. DSHS Grand Rounds explores the science and evidence-based practice of population health and awards continuing education credits/contact hours for various disciplines. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 20 minutes for Q&A.
June 27, 2024; 1–2:30 p.m. 5 Steps to an Accessible Document.
This 90-minute, hands-on class from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) will cover how to make documents created in Word and PowerPoint accessible to those who use screen reader assistive technology.
Websites and reports on trending topics
ASABE Technical Library - The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is a professional and technical organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Their online library provides online access to ASABE standards, meeting and conference papers, textbooks, and monographs.
Behavioral Health among Older Adults: Results from the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health – This infographic report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlights substance use and mental health indicators among older adults aged 60 or older in the United States.
FastStats A to Z – From the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NCHS), this site provides quick access to statistics on topics of public health importance and is organized alphabetically. Links are provided to publications that include the statistics presented, to sources of more data, and to related web pages.
PSNet – From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Patient Safety Network (PSNet) features a collection of the latest news and resources on patient safety, innovations and toolkits, opportunities for free CME and trainings. The platform provides searching and browsing capability, as well as the ability for users to customize the site around their interests.
Journal articles of note
Benjamin RH, Nguyen JM, Drummond-Borg M, et al. Classification of isolated versus multiple birth defects: An automated process for population-based registries. Am J Med Genet A. Published online May 21, 2024. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.63714
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies of birth defects often conduct separate analyses for cases that have isolated defects (e.g., spina bifida only) and cases that have multiple defects (e.g., spina bifida and a congenital heart defect). However, in some instances, cases with additional defects (e.g., spina bifida and clubfoot) may be more appropriately considered as isolated because the co-occurring defect (clubfoot) is believed to be developmentally related to the defect of interest. Determining which combinations should be considered isolated can be challenging and potentially resource intensive for registries. Thus, we developed automated classification procedures for differentiating between isolated versus multiple defects, while accounting for developmentally related defects, and applied the approach to data from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (1999-2018 deliveries). Among 235,544 nonsyndromic cases in Texas, 89% of cases were classified as having isolated defects, with proportions ranging from 25% to 92% across 43 specific defects analyzed. A large proportion of isolated cases with spina bifida (44%), lower limb reduction defects (44%), and holoprosencephaly (32%) had developmentally related defects. Overall, our findings strongly support the need to account for isolated versus multiple defects in risk factor association analyses and to account for developmentally related defects when doing so, which has implications for interpreting prior studies.
Uyeki TM, Milton S, Abdul Hamid C, et al. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection in a dairy farm worker. N Engl J Med. Published online May 3, 2024.
doi:10.1056/NEJMc2405371
Sporadic human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus, with a wide spectrum of clinical severity and a cumulative case fatality of more than 50%, have been reported in 23 countries over more than 20 years. HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have spread widely among wild birds worldwide since 2020–2021, resulting in outbreaks in poultry and other animals. Recently, HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses were identified in dairy cows, and in unpasteurized milk samples, in multiple U.S. states. We report a case of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in a dairy farm worker in Texas.
Varney SM, Alindogan AA, Stuteville H, et al. Fasciotomy following North American pit viper envenomation in Texas 2004-2021. Clin Toxicol (Phila). Published online May 28, 2024. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2338559
Abstract
Introduction: North American pit viper envenomation occurs over 4,000 times annually in the United States, with polyvalent Fab antivenom being the primary treatment. Fasciotomy is occasionally performed due to concerns about compartment syndrome. We utilized our direct access to Texas Poison Center Network data to create a new snakebite abstraction form and database on relevant available information between 2004 and 2021 and to identify, describe, and estimate the incidence of fasciotomy following pit viper envenomation in Texas.
Methods: We searched the Texas Poison Center Network database for cases during 2004-2021 using keywords such as fasciotomy, surgery, compartment pressure, and compartment syndrome. Descriptive statistics summarized the data.
Results: Of 16,911 reported envenomations, 0.69 percent involved fasciotomies (n = 117). Most common bite sites were digits/hands and lower extremities. Patients who underwent fasciotomy were typically male, aged 20-59, and 10 years younger than the total snakebite population. Only 6 percent of reported compartment syndrome cases had a compartment pressure measurement. Antivenom was administered in 101 (86.3 percent) cases, 92 (91.1 percent) of which received only Fab antivenom product. Patients with bites from rattlesnakes (47.9 percent) were associated with most fasciotomies.
Discussion: Our findings suggest a potential increase in snakebite exposures, accompanied by a decrease in fasciotomies. Overall, copperheads constituted the majority of snakebites, but most fasciotomies were from rattlesnake envenomations (47.9 percent). In this cohort, compartment syndrome diagnosis and decisions regarding fasciotomy were primarily based on clinical evaluation/surgeon expertise without compartment pressure measurements. Despite the efficacy of antivenom, only 86.3 percent of patients in our study received antivenom.
Conclusions: Fasciotomy after North American pit viper envenomation in Texas is uncommon (0.69 percent) and has decreased over time, possibly due to increased antivenom use or surgeon comfort with nonsurgical management.
Yaseen A, DeSantis SM, Sabharwal R, et al. Baseline characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine non-responders in a large population-based sample. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0303420. Published 2024 May 13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0303420
Abstract
Introduction: Studies indicate that individuals with chronic conditions and specific baseline characteristics may not mount a robust humoral antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this paper, we used data from the Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey (Texas CARES), a longitudinal state-wide seroprevalence program that has enrolled more than 90,000 participants, to evaluate the role of chronic diseases as the potential risk factors of non-response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in a large epidemiologic cohort.
Methods: A participant needed to complete an online survey and a blood draw to test for SARS-CoV-2 circulating plasma antibodies at four-time points spaced at least three months apart. Chronic disease predictors of vaccine non-response are evaluated using logistic regression with non-response as the outcome and each chronic disease + age as the predictors.
Results: As of April 24, 2023, 18,240 participants met the inclusion criteria; 0.58% (N = 105) of these are non-responders. Adjusting for age, our results show that participants with self-reported immunocompromised status, kidney disease, cancer, and "other" non-specified comorbidity were 15.43, 5.11, 2.59, and 3.13 times more likely to fail to mount a complete response to a vaccine, respectively. Furthermore, having two or more chronic diseases doubled the prevalence of non-response.
Conclusion: Consistent with smaller targeted studies, a large epidemiologic cohort bears the same conclusion and demonstrates immunocompromised, cancer, kidney disease, and the number of diseases are associated with vaccine non-response. This study suggests that those individuals, with chronic diseases with the potential to affect their immune system response, may need increased doses or repeated doses of COVID-19 vaccines to develop a protective antibody level.
New Books in the Library
Carville’s cure: leprosy, stigma, and the fight for justice by Pam Fessler.
CHES exam review: certification guide for health education specialists by Elizabeth M. Felter.
Deep work: rules for focused success in a distracted world by Cal Newport.
Eliminating the gobbledygook: secrets to writing plain language procedures by Kathy Walsh.
Fight heart disease like cancer by Michael V. McConnell.
The people’s hospital: hope and peril in American medicine by Ricardo Nuila.
For a complete list of all library titles, visit the Library Online Catalog.
For more information, employees may email the Medical and Research Library at library@dshs.texas.gov to receive research assistance, learn how to access electronic materials, or to obtain the full text of articles mentioned in this month’s news.
The Medical and Research Library News is sent out once a month or when important library news or events occur. Recent issues of the MRL News are online. If any of the links do not open for you, please email library@dshs.texas.gov and we will send you what you need. Thank you!
If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to library@dshs.texas.gov with Subscribe in the subject line.
Medical and Research Library News
May 2024
Training opportunities
Websites and reports on trending topics
Journal articles of note
Training opportunities
The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are
in Central Time.
May 9, 2024; 12–1:30 p.m. Relationship Between Parental Mental Health and Child Development.
This webinar from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living and presented by Catherine Monk, PhD, will cover: Dr. Monk's extensive research into the relationship between maternal pre & postnatal mental health and early development; the postnatal depression prevention protocol Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting (PREPP).
May 21, 2024; 1–2 p.m. Beyond Borders: Understanding Oldways Heritage Diets and Reducing Health Disparities.
This presentation from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) will explore the essential components of nutritionally balanced culturally-relevant diets, spotlighting their significance in promoting overall health and well-being. Moreover, the discussion will examine the culinary landscapes of the African Diaspora, Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean, unveiling the key characteristics of healthy traditional diets unique to each region. Through this exploration, attendees will better understand the diverse foods and flavors that contribute to these culinary traditions.
May 29, 2024; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Navigating Multidimensional Strain and Identifying Mitigation Strategies in Rapidly Growing 'Hot Cities'.
This webinar is offered by the DSHS Office of Practice and Learning Grand Rounds program. DSHS Grand Rounds explores the science and evidence-based practice of population health and awards continuing education credits/contact hours for various disciplines. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 20 minutes for Q&A.
May 30, 2024; 1–2 p.m. Burning Contagion: Organized Arson in Response to Quarantine Facilities and Pest Houses, 1858-1901.
Throughout the 19th century, communities in the United States committed arson against healthcare facilities that housed the diseased. Local and national newspapers often described the resulting damage as the actions of a “lawless mob.” A closer reading of these incidents reveals local communities put at risk by facilities that actively caused them harm while benefitting other parties. This talk sponsored by the National Library of Medicine’s History of Medicine Division suggests that these events were organized acts of self-defense borne of medical knowledge, rather than rash mobs acting through fear or ignorance, and will highlight two such incidents, one in Staten Island, New York and another in Orange, New Jersey.
Websites and reports on trending topics
AGRICOLA - A bibliographic resource from the National Agricultural Library with millions of citations relating to the field of agriculture for journal articles, book chapters, theses, patents, and technical reports to support agricultural research.
Concentration of Healthcare Expenditures and Selected Characteristics of Persons With High Expenses, United States Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2018-2021 - In this statistical brief from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's MEPS-HC are used to describe the overall concentration of healthcare expenditures across the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2021 compared with 2018, 2019, and 2020. The most commonly treated conditions among persons in the top expenditure groups are identified, and the shares of expenses by age group, race/ethnicity, type of medical service, and source of payment are illustrated for 2021.
eCLIPSE Ultimate Access - This MRL resource provides access to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute’s (CLSI) full library of standards. eCLIPSE Ultimate Access is an enhanced, premium platform with advanced features to help you access standards quickly and easily. Login with username: TX@clsi.org password: TX123
Portal to Texas History Created and maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, the Portal of Texas History offers a digital gateway to rich collections held in Texas libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, and private collections and includes agency produced annual reports, newsletters, and pamphlets.
Journal articles of note
Mayfield H, Davila V, Penedo E. Coccidioidomycosis-related hospital visits, Texas, USA, 2016-2021. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(5):882-889. doi:10.3201/eid3005.231624
Abstract
We analyzed hospital discharge records of patients with coccidioidomycosis-related codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification, to estimate the prevalence of hospital visits associated with the disease in Texas, USA. Using Texas Health Care Information Collection data for 2016-2021, we investigated the demographic characteristics and geographic distribution of the affected population, assessed prevalence of hospital visits for coccidioidomycosis, and examined how prevalence varied by demographic and geographic factors. In Texas, 709 coccidioidomycosis-related inpatient and outpatient hospital visits occurred in 2021; prevalence was 3.17 cases per 100,000 total hospital visits in 2020. Geographic location, patient sex, and race/ethnicity were associated with increases in coccidioidomycosis-related hospital visits; male, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic patients had the highest prevalence of coccidioidomycosis compared with other groups. Increased surveillance and healthcare provider education and outreach are needed to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of coccidioidomycosis in Texas and elsewhere.
Sandoval MN, McClellan SP, Pont SJ, et al. Prozone masks elevated SARS-CoV-2 antibody level measurements. PLoS One. 2024;19(3):e0301232. Published 2024 Mar 28.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301232
Abstract
We report a prozone effect in measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody levels from an antibody surveillance program. Briefly, the prozone effect occurs in immunoassays when excessively high antibody concentration disrupts the immune complex formation, resulting in a spuriously low reported result. Following participant inquiries, we observed anomalously low measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody levels using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay from participants in the Texas Coronavirus Antibody Research survey (Texas CARES), an ongoing prospective, longitudinal antibody surveillance program. In July, 2022, samples were collected from ten participants with anomalously low results for serial dilution studies, and a prozone effect was confirmed. From October, 2022 to March, 2023, serial dilution of samples detected 74 additional cases of prozone out of 1,720 participants' samples. Prozone effect may affect clinical management of at-risk populations repeatedly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein through multiple immunizations or serial infections, making awareness and mitigation of this issue paramount.
Schraw JM, Rudolph KE, Shumate CJ, Gribble MO. Direct potable reuse and birth defects prevalence in Texas: An augmented synthetic control method analysis of data from a population-based birth defects registry. Environ Epidemiol. 2024;8(2):e300. Published 2024 Mar 18. doi:10.1097/EE9.0000000000000300
Abstract
Background: Direct potable reuse (DPR) involves adding purified wastewater that has not passed through an environmental buffer into a water distribution system. DPR may help address water shortages and is approved or is under consideration as a source of drinking water for several water-stressed population centers in the United States, however, there are no studies of health outcomes in populations who receive DPR drinking water. Our objective was to determine whether the introduction of DPR for certain public water systems in Texas was associated with changes in birth defect prevalence.
Methods: We obtained data on maternal characteristics for all live births and birth defects cases regardless of pregnancy outcome in Texas from 2003 to 2017 from the Texas Birth Defects Registry and birth and fetal death records. The ridge augmented synthetic control method was used to model changes in birth defect prevalence (per 10,000 live births) following the adoption of DPR by four Texas counties in mid-2013, with county-level data on maternal age, percent women without a high school diploma, percent who identified as Hispanic/Latina or non-Hispanic/Latina Black, and rural-urban continuum code as covariates.
Results: There were nonstatistically significant increases in prevalence of all birth defects collectively (average treatment effect in the treated = 53.6) and congenital heart disease (average treatment effect in the treated = 287.3) since June 2013. The estimated prevalence of neural tube defects was unchanged.
Conclusions: We estimated nonstatistically significant increases in birth defect prevalence following the implementation of DPR in four West Texas counties. Further research is warranted to inform water policy decisions.
Shah M, Dansky Z, Nathavitharana R, et al. NTCA guidelines for respiratory isolation and restrictions to reduce transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis in community settings. Clin Infect Dis. Published online April 18, 2024. doi:10.1093/cid/ciae199
These guidelines are intended to be used by individuals within TB public health programs to make decisions related to community-based RIR for public health purposes and may include but are not limited to clinicians, health officers, or other designated practitioners at state or local health departments. Guidance for the prevention of TB in healthcare settings and high-risk congregate living facilities has been provided elsewhere. TB programs are encouraged to update or develop local guidelines and practices and involve physician and public health consultants with TB expertise, to ensure local practices reflect current scientific evidence and concepts and recommendations outlined in this work.
For more information, employees may email the Medical and Research Library at library@dshs.texas.gov to receive research assistance, learn how to access electronic materials, or to obtain the full text of articles mentioned in this month’s news.
Fine print section: The Medical and Research Library News is sent out once a month
or when important library news or events occur. Recent issues of the MRL News are online. If any of the links do not open for you, please email library@dshs.texas.gov and we will send you what you need. Thank you!
If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to library@dshs.texas.gov with Subscribe in the subject line.