Factors Associated With Longer Than Recommended Durations of Antibiotic Therapy for Uncomplicated Ambulatory Infections in an Integrated Healthcare System.

Across the ambulatory care network of an integrated health care system, durations of antibiotic therapy prescribed for uncomplicated infections were longer than recommended in 39% of cases. By logistic regression, site of care, prescriber characteristics, and type of infection were independently associated with longer than recommended durations of therapy.

Hepatitis B Evaluation and Linkage to Care for Newly Arrived Refugees: A Multisite Quality Improvement Initiative.

A quality improvement collaborative evaluated Hepatitis B virus (HBV) care for resettled refugees and identified strategies to enhance care. 682 of the 12,934 refugees from five refugee health clinics in Colorado, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania had chronic HBV. Timely care was defined relative to a HBsAg + result: staging (HBV DNA, hepatitis Be antigen, hepatitis Be antibody, alanine transaminase testing) within 14 days, comorbid infection screening (hepatitis C virus and HIV) within 14 days, and linkage to care (HBV specialist referral within 30 days and visit within 6 months). Completed labs included: HBV DNA (93%), hepatitis Be antigen (94%), hepatitis Be antibody (92%), alanine transaminase (92%), hepatitis C screening (86%), HIV screening (97%). 20% had HBV specialist referrals within 30 days; 36% were seen within 6 months. Standardized reflex HBV testing and specialist referral should be prioritized at the initial screening due to the association with timely care.

Characteristics of Intracranial Group A Streptococcal Infections in US Children, 1997-2014.

BACKGROUND: Few data on intracranial group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection in children are available. Here, we describe the demographic, clinical, and diagnostic characteristics of 91 children with intracranial GAS infection. METHODS: Cases of intracranial GAS infection in persons ≤18 years of age reported between 1997 and 2014 were identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's population- and laboratory-based Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) system. Medical charts were abstracted using a active, standardized case report form. All available isolates were emm typed. US census data were used to calculate rates. RESULTS: ABCs identified 2596 children with invasive GAS infection over an 18-year period; 91 (3.5%) had an intracranial infection. Intracranial infections were most frequent during the winter months and among children aged <1 year. The average annual incidence was 0.07 cases per 100000 children. For 83 patients for whom information for further classification was available, the principal clinical presentations included meningitis (35 [42%]), intracranial infection after otitis media, mastoiditis, or sinusitis (34 [41%]), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection (14 [17%]). Seven (8%) of these infections progressed to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The overall case fatality rate was 15%. GAS emm types 1 (31% of available isolates) and 12 (13% of available isolates) were most common. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric intracranial (GAS) infections are uncommon but often severe. Risk factors for intracranial GAS infection include the presence of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and contiguous infections in the middle ear or sinuses.

Case-Control Study of Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Hospitalizations in Older Adults, United States, 2010-2011.

BACKGROUND: Older adults are at increased risk of influenza-associated complications, including hospitalization, but influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) data are limited for this population. We conducted a case-control study to estimate VE to prevent laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations among adults aged ≥50 years in 11 US Emerging Infections Program hospitalization surveillance sites. METHODS: Cases were influenza infections (confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction) in adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized during the 2010-2011 influenza season, identified through Emerging Infections Program surveillance. Community controls, identified through home telephone lists, were matched by age group (±5 years), county, and month of hospitalization for case patients. Vaccination status was determined by self-report (with location and date) or medical records. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted VE (aVE) estimates (100 × [1 - adjusted odds ratio]), adjusting for sex, race, socioeconomic factors, smoking, chronic medical conditions, recent hospitalization for a respiratory condition, and functional status. RESULTS: Among case patients, 205 of 368 (55%) were vaccinated, compared with 489 of 773 controls (63%). Case patients were more likely to be of nonwhite race and more likely to have ≥2 chronic health conditions, a recent hospitalization for a respiratory condition, an income <$35 000, and a lower functional status score (P < .01 for all). The aVE was 56.8% (95% confidence interval, 34.1%-71.7%) and was similar across age groups, including adults ≥75 years (aVE, 57.3%; 15.9%-78.4%). CONCLUSIONS: During 2010-2011, influenza vaccination was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization among adults aged ≥50 years, regardless of age group.

Epidemiology of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in the United States, 2005-2012.

BACKGROUND: Invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We report the epidemiology and trends of invasive GAS over 8 years of surveillance. METHODS: From January 2005 through December 2012, we collected data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Active Bacterial Core surveillance, a population-based network of 10 geographically diverse US sites (2012 population, 32.8 million). We defined invasive GAS as isolation of GAS from a normally sterile site or from a wound in a patient with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Available isolates were emm typed. We calculated rates and made age- and race-adjusted national projections using census data. RESULTS: We identified 9557 cases (3.8 cases per 100 000 persons per year) with 1116 deaths (case-fatality rate, 11.7%). The case-fatality rates for septic shock, STSS, and NF were 45%, 38%, and 29%, respectively. The annual incidence was highest among persons aged ≥65 years (9.4/100 000) or <1 year (5.3) and among blacks (4.7/100 000). National rates remained steady over 8 years of surveillance. Factors independently associated with death included increasing age, residence in a nursing home, recent surgery, septic shock, NF, meningitis, isolated bacteremia, pneumonia, emm type 1 or 3, and underlying chronic illness or immunosuppression. An estimated 10 649-13 434 cases of invasive GAS infections occur in the United States annually, resulting in 1136-1607 deaths. In a 30-valent M-protein vaccine, emm types accounted for 91% of isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of invasive GAS infection in the United States remains substantial. Vaccines under development could have a considerable public health impact.

Benefit of Early Initiation of Influenza Antiviral Treatment to Pregnant Women Hospitalized With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza.

BACKGROUND: We describe the impact of early initiation of influenza antiviral treatment among pregnant women hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2010-2014 influenza seasons. METHODS: Severe influenza was defined as illness with ≥1 of the following: intensive care unit admission, need for mechanical ventilation, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, or death. Within severity stratum, we used parametric survival analysis to compare length of stay by timing of antiviral treatment, adjusting for underlying conditions, influenza vaccination, and pregnancy trimester. RESULTS: Among 865 pregnant women, the median age was 27 years (interquartile range [IQR], 23-31 years). Most (68%) were healthy, and 85% received antiviral treatment. Sixty-three women (7%) had severe influenza, and 4 died. Severity was associated with preterm delivery and fetal loss. Women with severe influenza were less likely to be vaccinated than those without severe influenza (14% vs 26%; P = .03). Among women treated with antivirals ≤2 days versus those treated >2 days from illness onset, the median length of stay was 2.2 days (interquartile range [IQR], 0.9-5.8 days; n = 8) versus 7.8 days (IQR, 3.0-20.6 days; n = 7), respectively, for severe influenza (P = .03) and 2.4 days (IQR, 2.3-2.5 days; n = 153) versus 3.1 days (IQR, 2.8-3.5 days; n = 62), respectively, for nonsevere influenza (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Early initiation of influenza antiviral treatment to pregnant women hospitalized with influenza may reduce the length of stay, especially among those with severe influenza. Influenza during pregnancy is associated with maternal and infant morbidity, and annual influenza vaccination is warranted.

Survey of influenza and other respiratory viruses diagnostic testing in US hospitals, 2012-2013.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about laboratory capacity to routinely diagnose influenza and other respiratory viruses at clinical laboratories and hospitals. AIMS: We sought to assess diagnostic practices for influenza and other respiratory virus in a survey of hospitals and laboratories participating in the US Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network in 2012-2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All hospitals and their associated laboratories participating in the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) were included in this evaluation. The network covers more than 80 counties in 15 states, CA, CO, CT, GA, MD, MN, NM, NY, OR, TN, IA, MI, OH, RI, and UT, with a catchment population of ~28 million people. We administered a standardized questionnaire to key personnel, including infection control practitioners and laboratory departments, at each hospital through telephone interviews. RESULTS: Of the 240 participating laboratories, 67% relied only on commercially available rapid influenza diagnostic tests to diagnose influenza. Few reported the availability of molecular diagnostic assays for detection of influenza (26%) and other viral pathogens (≤20%) in hospitals and commercial laboratories. CONCLUSION: Reliance on insensitive assays to detect influenza may detract from optimal clinical management of influenza infections in hospitals.

Improving Accuracy of Influenza-Associated Hospitalization Rate Estimates.

Diagnostic test sensitivity affects rate estimates for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations. We used data from FluSurv-NET, a national population-based surveillance system for laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations, to capture diagnostic test type by patient age and influenza season. We calculated observed rates by age group and adjusted rates by test sensitivity. Test sensitivity was lowest in adults >65 years of age. For all ages, reverse transcription PCR was the most sensitive test, and use increased from <10% during 2003-2008 to ≈70% during 2009-2013. Observed hospitalization rates per 100,000 persons varied by season: 7.3-50.5 for children <18 years of age, 3.0-30.3 for adults 18-64 years, and 13.6-181.8 for adults >65 years. After 2009, hospitalization rates adjusted by test sensitivity were ≈15% higher for children <18 years, ≈20% higher for adults 18-64 years, and ≈55% for adults >65 years of age. Test sensitivity adjustments improve the accuracy of hospitalization rate estimates.

Statin treatment and mortality: propensity score-matched analyses of 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations.

Background. Annual influenza epidemics are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. The use of immunomodulatory agents such as statins to target host inflammatory responses in influenza virus infection has been suggested as an adjunct treatment, especially during pandemics, when antiviral quantities are limited or vaccine production can be delayed. Methods. We used population-based, influenza hospitalization surveillance data, propensity score-matched analysis, and Cox regression to determine whether there was an association between mortality (within 30 days of a positive influenza test) and statin treatment among hospitalized cohorts from 2 influenza seasons (October 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008 and September 1, 2009 to April 31, 2010). Results. Hazard ratios for death within the 30-day follow-up period were 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], .25-.68) for a matched sample from the 2007-2008 season and 0.77 (95% CI, .43-1.36) for a matched sample from the 2009 pandemic. Conclusions. The analysis suggests a protective effect against death from influenza among patients hospitalized in 2007-2008 but not during the pandemic. Sensitivity analysis indicates the findings for 2007-2008 may be influenced by unmeasured confounders. This analysis does not support using statins as an adjunct treatment for preventing death among persons hospitalized for influenza.

Estimating influenza disease burden from population-based surveillance data in the United States.

Annual estimates of the influenza disease burden provide information to evaluate programs and allocate resources. We used a multiplier method with routine population-based surveillance data on influenza hospitalization in the United States to correct for under-reporting and estimate the burden of influenza for seasons after the 2009 pandemic. Five sites of the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) collected data on the frequency and sensitivity of influenza testing during two seasons to estimate under-detection. Population-based rates of influenza-associated hospitalization and Intensive Care Unit admission from 2010-2013 were extrapolated to the U.S. population from FluSurv-NET and corrected for under-detection. Influenza deaths were calculated using a ratio of deaths to hospitalizations. We estimated that influenza-related hospitalizations were under-detected during 2010-11 by a factor of 2.1 (95%CI 1.7-2.9) for age < 18 years, 3.1 (2.4-4.5) for ages 18-64 years, and 5.2 (95%CI 3.8-8.3) for age 65+. Results were similar in 2011-12. Extrapolated estimates for 3 seasons from 2010-2013 included: 114,192-624,435 hospitalizations, 18,491-95,390 ICU admissions, and 4,915-27,174 deaths per year; 54-70% of hospitalizations and 71-85% of deaths occurred among adults aged 65+. Influenza causes a substantial disease burden in the U.S. that varies by age and season. Periodic estimation of multipliers across multiple sites and age groups improves our understanding of influenza detection in sentinel surveillance systems. Adjusting surveillance data using a multiplier method is a relatively simple means to estimate the impact of influenza and the subsequent value of interventions to prevent influenza.

Complications among adults hospitalized with influenza: a comparison of seasonal influenza and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Persons with influenza can develop complications that result in hospitalization and death. These are most commonly respiratory related, but cardiovascular or neurologic complications or exacerbations of underlying chronic medical conditions may also occur. Patterns of complications observed during pandemics may differ from typical influenza seasons, and characterizing variations in influenza-related complications can provide a better understanding of the impact of pandemics and guide appropriate clinical management and planning for the future. METHODS: Using a population-based surveillance system, we compared clinical complications using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) discharge diagnosis codes in adults hospitalized with seasonal influenza (n = 5270) or 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) (H1N1pdm09; n = 4962). RESULTS: Adults hospitalized with H1N1pdm09 were younger (median age, 47 years) than those with seasonal influenza (median age, 68 years; P < .01), and differed in the frequency of certain underlying medical conditions. Whereas there was similar risk for many influenza-associated complications, after controlling for age and type of underlying medical condition, adults hospitalized with H1N1pdm09 were more likely to have lower respiratory tract complications, shock/sepsis, and organ failure than those with seasonal influenza. They were also more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, require mechanical ventilation, or die. Young adults, in particular, had 2-4 times the risk of severe outcomes from H1N1pdm09 than persons of the same ages with seasonal influenza. CONCLUSIONS: Although H1N1pdm09 was thought of as a relatively mild pandemic, these data highlight the impact of the 2009 pandemic on the risk of severe influenza, especially among younger adults, and the impact this virus may continue to have.

Early-onset group B streptococcal disease in the United States: potential for further reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To describe lapses in adherence to group B streptococcus (GBS) prevention guidelines among cases of early-onset GBS disease in term and preterm neonates and to estimate the potential for further reduction in disease burden under current prevention strategies. METHODS: We reviewed labor and delivery and prenatal records of mothers of neonates with early-onset GBS disease (aged younger than 7 days with GBS isolated from a normally sterile site) identified at population-based surveillance sites in 2008-2009. We interviewed prenatal care providers about GBS screening practices and obtained relevant laboratory records. We evaluated the data for errors in prenatal screening, laboratory methods, communication of results, and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. Using published data on screening sensitivity and intrapartum prophylaxis effectiveness, we estimated the potential reduction in cases under optimal prevention implementation. RESULTS: Among 309 cases, 179 (57.9%) had one or more implementation errors. The most common error type in term and preterm case-patients was prenatal screening (80 of 222 [36.0%]) and intrapartum prophylaxis (46 of 85 [54.1%]), respectively. We estimated that under optimal implementation, cases of early-onset GBS disease could be reduced by 26-59% with the largest benefit from a single intervention coming from improved use of intrapartum prophylaxis (16% decrease). CONCLUSION: Further reduction of early-onset GBS disease burden is possible under current prevention strategies, particularly with improved implementation of antibiotic prophylaxis. However, even with perfect adherence to recommended practices, the decline in cases may be modest. Therefore, novel prevention approaches such as improved intrapartum assays and vaccines are also needed.

Racial disparities in invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, 1998-2009.

BACKGROUND: Before the introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) rates among blacks were twice the rates in whites. We measured the effects of trends in PCV7-type and non-PCV7-type IPD rates on racial disparities in overall IPD and estimated the proportion of IPD caused by serotypes included in the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). METHODS: We analyzed data from the Active Bacterial Core surveillance system, which performs active, laboratory- and population-based surveillance for IPD for 29.2 million people in the United States, for the period 1998-2009. For patients with unknown race, we multiplied imputed race to calculate age-, race-, and serotype-specific IPD incidence rates. RESULTS: During 1998-2009, 47 449 IPD cases were identified; race was unknown for 5419 (11%). After multiple imputation, 31 981 (67%) patients were considered white and 13 750 (29%) black. PCV7-type IPD rates in all ages in both races decreased to <1 case per 100 000, whereas there were no decreases in overall IPD rates after 2002. By 2009, PCV13 serotypes caused 71% of cases among whites aged <5 years compared with 58% among blacks (P < .01). PCV13 serotypes caused 50% of IPD cases in whites aged ≥5 years compared with 43% among blacks (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite near elimination of PCV7-type IPD in both races, overall disparities in IPD rates persisted because non-PCV7-type IPD rates are higher among blacks. Whereas PCV13 introduction may reduce racial disparities in IPD, higher valency conjugate vaccines and strategies to directly address underlying causes are needed to eliminate IPD disparities.

Hospital-onset influenza hospitalizations--United States, 2010-2011.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. Although hospital-onset (HO) influenza contributes to morbidity and mortality among these patients, little is known about its overall epidemiology. OBJECTIVE: We describe patients with HO influenza in the United States during the 2010-2011 influenza season and compare them with community-onset (CO) cases to better understand factors associated with illness. METHODS: We identified laboratory-confirmed, influenza-related hospitalizations using the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), a network that conducts population-based surveillance in 16 states. CO cases had laboratory confirmation ≤ 3 days after hospital admission; HO cases had laboratory confirmation > 3 days after admission. RESULTS: We identified 172 (2.8%) HO cases among a total of 6,171 influenza-positive hospitalizations. HO and CO cases did not differ by age (P = .22), sex (P = .29), or race (P = .25). Chronic medical conditions were more common in HO cases (89%) compared with CO cases (78%) (P < .01), and a greater proportion of HO cases (42%) than CO cases (17%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (P < .01). The median length of stay after influenza diagnosis of HO cases (7.5 days) was greater than that of CO cases (3 days) (P < .01). CONCLUSION: HO cases had greater length of stay and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or die compared with CO cases. HO influenza may play a role in the clinical outcome of hospitalized patients, particularly among those with chronic medical conditions.

Trends in invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in the incidence of invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in children during 2005-2010. METHODS: We evaluated reports of invasive MRSA infections in pediatric patients identified from population-based surveillance during 2005-2010. Cases were defined as isolation of MRSA from a normally sterile site and classified on the basis of the setting of the positive culture and presence or absence of health care exposures. Estimated annual changes in incidence were determined by using regression models. National age- and race-specific incidences for 2010 were estimated by using US census data. RESULTS: A total of 876 pediatric cases were reported; 340 (39%) were among infants. Overall, 35% of cases were hospital-onset, 23% were health care-associated community-onset, and 42% were community-associated (CA). The incidence of invasive CA-MRSA infection per 100000 children increased from 1.1 in 2005 to 1.7 in 2010 (modeled yearly increase: 10.2%; 95% confidence interval: 2.7%-18.2%). No significant trends were observed for health care-associated community-onset and hospital-onset cases. Nationally, estimated invasive MRSA incidence in 2010 was higher among infants aged <90 days compared with older infants and children (43.9 vs 2.0 per 100000) and among black children compared with other races (6.7 vs 1.6 per 100000). CONCLUSIONS: Invasive MRSA infection in children disproportionately affects young infants and black children. In contrast to reports of declining incidence among adults, there were no significant reductions in health care-associated MRSA infections in children. Concurrently, the incidence of CA-MRSA infections has increased, underscoring the need for defining optimal strategies to prevent MRSA infections among children with and without health care exposures.

National burden of invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, United States, 2011.

IMPORTANCE: Estimating the US burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is important for planning and tracking success of prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: To describe updated national estimates and characteristics of health care- and community-associated invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in 2011. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Active laboratory-based case finding identified MRSA cultures in 9 US metropolitan areas from 2005 through 2011. Invasive infections (MRSA cultured from normally sterile body sites) were classified as health care-associated community-onset (HACO) infections (cultured ≤ 3 days after admission and/or prior year dialysis, hospitalization, surgery, long-term care residence, or central vascular catheter presence ≤ 2 days before culture); hospital-onset infections (cultured >3 days after admission); or community-associated infections if no other criteria were met. National estimates were adjusted using US census and US Renal Data System data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: National estimates of invasive HACO, hospital-onset, and community-associated MRSA infections using US census and US Renal Data System data as the denominator. RESULTS: An estimated 80,461 (95% CI, 69,515-93,914) invasive MRSA infections occurred nationally in 2011. Of these, 48,353 (95% CI, 40,195-58,642) were HACO infections; 14,156 (95% CI, 10,096-20,440) were hospital-onset infections; and 16,560 (95% CI, 12,806-21,811) were community-associated infections. Since 2005, adjusted national estimated incidence rates decreased among HACO infections by 27.7% and hospital-onset infections decreased by 54.2%; community-associated infections decreased by only 5.0%. Among recently hospitalized community-onset (nondialysis) infections, 64% occurred 3 months or less after discharge, and 32% of these were admitted from long-term care facilities. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: An estimated 30,800 fewer invasive MRSA infections occurred in the United States in 2011 compared with 2005; in 2011 fewer infections occurred among patients during hospitalization than among persons in the community without recent health care exposures. Effective strategies for preventing infections outside acute care settings will have the greatest impact on further reducing invasive MRSA infections nationally.

Effectiveness of nonadjuvanted monovalent influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccines for preventing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-confirmed pandemic influenza hospitalizations: case-control study of children and adults at 10 US influenza surveillance network sites.

During 2009-2010, we examined 217 patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza in 9 Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network sites and 413 age- and community-matched controls and found that a single dose of monovalent nonadjuvanted influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine was 50% (95% confidence interval, 13%-71%) effective in preventing hospitalization associated with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection.

Patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2010-2011 influenza season: exploring disease severity by virus type and subtype.

BACKGROUND: The 2010-2011 influenza season was dominated by influenza A(H3N2) virus, but influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 (pH1N1) and B viruses cocirculated. This provided an opportunity to explore within-season predictors of severity among hospitalized patients, avoiding biases associated with season-to-season differences in strain virulence, population immunity, and healthcare seeking. METHODS: Population-based, laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization surveillance data were used to examine the association between virus type/subtype and outcomes in children and adults. Multivariable analysis explored virus type/subtype, prompt antiviral treatment, medical conditions, and age as predictors for severity (intensive care unit admission or death). RESULTS: In children, pH1N1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-4.3), chronic metabolic disease (aOR, 5.23; 95% CI, 1.74-15.69), and neuromuscular disorder (aOR, 4.84; 95% CI, 2.02-11.58) were independently associated with severity. In adults, independent predictors were pH1N1 (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.66-2.94), chronic lung disease (aOR, 1.46, 95% CI, 1.12-1.89), and neuromuscular disorder (aOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.11-2.52).Antiviral treatment reduced the odds of severity among adults (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, .33-.68). CONCLUSIONS: During the 2010-2011 season, pH1N1 caused more severe disease than H3N2 or B in hospitalized patients. Underlying medical conditions increased severity despite virus strain. Antiviral treatment reduced severity among adults. Our findings underscore the importance of influenza prevention.

Geographic and temporal trends in antimicrobial nonsusceptibility in Streptococcus pneumoniae in the post-vaccine era in the United States.

BACKGROUND: We examined whether observed increases in antibiotic nonsusceptible nonvaccine serotypes after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the United States in 2000 were driven primarily by vaccine or antibiotic use. METHODS: Using active surveillance data, we evaluated geographic and temporal differences in serotype distribution and within-serotype differences during 2000-2009. We compared nonsusceptibility to penicillin and erythromycin by geography after standardizing differences across time, place, and serotype by regressing standardized versus crude proportions. A regression slope (RS) approaching zero indicates greater importance of the standardizing factor. RESULTS: Through 2000-2006, geographic differences in nonsusceptibility were better explained by within-serotype prevalence of nonsusceptibility (RS 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], .08-.55 for penicillin) than by geographic differences in serotype distribution (RS 0.71, 95% CI, .44-.97). From 2007-2009, serotype distribution differences became more important for penicillin (within-serotype RS 0.52, 95% CI, .11-.93; serotype distribution RS 0.57, 95% CI, .14-1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Differential nonsusceptibility, within individual serotypes, accounts for most geographic variation in nonsusceptibility, suggesting selective pressure from antibiotic use, rather than differences in serotype distribution, mainly determines nonsusceptibility patterns. Recent trends suggest geographic differences in serotype distribution may be affecting the prevalence of nonsusceptibility, possibly due to decreases in the number of nonsusceptible serotypes.