Wellness Wheel Clinics: A First Nation community-partnered care model improving healthcare access, from healthcare providers' perspectives.

First Nation people residing in rural and remote communities have limited primary healthcare access, which often affects chronic disease management leading to poor health outcomes. Individuals with lived experiences of chronic disease and substance use, along with health directors, advocated for improved services. Subsequently, an urban healthcare team in partnership with four First Nation communities developed an Outreach clinic to address healthcare access barriers. Established in 2016, this community-led clinic improves primary care access and chronic disease management in First Nation communities. Employing a qualitative research design, interviews were conducted with 15 clinic providers and 9 community members to explore the clinic's 1-year post-implementation impacts. Thematic data analysis indicated that engagement and approval by community leadership, support from Elders and community members and collaboration with existing community healthcare staff were crucial for establishing the Outreach clinic. Initial logistical challenges with space allocation, equipment, medical supplies, funding, staffing, medical records and appointment scheduling were resolved through community consultation and creative solutions. A nurse coordinator ensured continuity of care and was integral to ensuring clients receive seamless care. The commitment of the outreach team and the collective goal of providing client-centered care were instrumental in the clinic's success. In partnership with communities, access to healthcare in First Nation communities can be enhanced by coordinating Outreach clinics through existing community healthcare facilities.

Liver health events: an indigenous community-led model to enhance HCV screening and linkage to care.

Despite high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), linkage to care and treatment for Indigenous people is low. In an Indigenous community in Saskatchewan, Canada a retrospective review identified 200 individuals (∼12% prevalence) had HCV antibodies though majority lacked ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing, and few received treatment despite availability of an effective cure. Following Indigenous oral traditions, focus group discussions were held with key community members and leadership. Participants emphasized the need for a community-based screening and treatment programme. A team of community members, peers and healthcare professionals developed a streamlined screening pathway termed 'liver health event' (LHE) to reduce stigma, reach undiagnosed, re-engage previously diagnosed, and ensure rapid linkage to care/treatment. LHEs began December 2016. Statistics were tracked for each event. As of July 2019, there were 10 LHEs with 540 participants, 227 hepatitis C tests and 346 FibroScans completed. This represented 294 unique individuals, of which 64.3% were tested, and of those, 40.8% were Ab positive. Among those positive for antibodies, 41.7% had active hepatitis C infections, and among these, 90% were linked to care, and 14 new positive individuals were identified. Following the success of LHEs, these were adapted and implemented in 10 other communities in this region, resulting in 17 additional LHEs. This intervention is reaching the undiagnosed and linking clients to care through a low-barrier and de-stigmatizing approach. It has facilitated collaboration, knowledge exchange and mentorship between Indigenous communities, significantly impacting health outcomes of Indigenous people in this region.

Individuals residing in geographically isolated Indigenous communities often face multiple barriers trying to access healthcare services in Saskatchewan Canada. Consequently, many individuals who have HCV antibody (Ab), often lack confirmatory RNA test and experience delays in linkage to HCV treatment. A collective decision was made by pertinent stakeholders including community members, peers, community healthcare staff, Chief and leadership to improve access to screening and linkage to HCV treatment in community. A streamlined HCV screening pathway referred to as LHEs was developed by an Indigenous community. Since implementation in December 2016, 10 LHEs were delivered in community, with 540 participant visits, 227 hepatitis C tests conducted, and 346 FibroScans completed. Out of 294 unique individuals who attended, 64.3% were tested, and of those, 40.8% were Ab positive. Among those positive for antibodies, 41.7% had active hepatitis C infections, and among these, 90% were linked to care, and 14 new positive individuals were identified. Following the success of the LHEs in reaching the undiagnosed, this screening pathway has been adapted and implemented in at least 10 additional Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Hospital admissions and mortality due to complications of injection drug use in two hospitals in Regina, Canada: retrospective chart review.

BACKGROUND: Infectious complications of injection drug use (IDU) often require lengthy inpatient treatment. Our objective was to identify the number of admissions related to IDU in Regina, Canada, as well as describe patient demographics and comorbidities, yearly mortality, readmission rate, and cumulative cost of these hospitalizations between January 1 and December 31, 2018. Additionally, we sought to identify factors that increased risk of death or readmission. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review conducted at the two hospitals in Regina. Eligible study cases were identified by querying the discharge database for predetermined International Classification of Diseases code combinations. Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess whether each admission met inclusion criteria, and hospitalization and patient data were subsequently extracted for all included admissions. Mortality data were gleaned from hospital and Ministry of Health databases. Data were analyzed using Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics to identify common comorbidities, admission diagnoses, and costs, as well as to compare patients with a single admission during the study period to those with multiple admissions. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the relationship between individual variables and in- and out-of-hospital annual mortality. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine admissions were included, with 102 unique patients identified. Common comorbidities included hepatitis C (47%), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (25%), and comorbid psychiatric disorders (19%). In 23% of all admissions, patients left hospital prior to treatment completion, and 27% of patients experienced multiple admissions. Female patients and those with chronic pain were more likely to be readmitted (p = 0.024 and p = 0.029, respectively). Patients admitted with infective endocarditis were more likely to die during hospitalization (p = 0.0001). The overall mortality was 15% in our cohort. The estimated cumulative cost of inpatient treatment of complications of IDU in Regina was $3.7 million CAD in 2018. CONCLUSION: Patients with history of IDU and hospital admission experience high mortality rates in Regina, a city with paucity of inpatient supports for persons who use injection drugs. Needle syringe programs, opioid agonist therapy, and safe consumption sites have been shown to improve outcomes as well as reduce healthcare costs for this patient population. We will use our findings to advocate for increased access to these harm reduction strategies in Regina, particularly for inpatients.

Molecular Evidence for Local Acquisition of Human Alveolar Echinococcosis in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a life-threatening parasitic disease caused by the zoonotic cestode Echinococcus multilocularis. Our goals were to confirm infection, identify species, and analyze biogeographical origin of metacestode tissues from a suspected human AE case in Saskatchewan, Canada. We conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the nad1 mitochondrial gene for E. multilocularis and the rrnS ribosomal RNA gene for E. granulosus and conducted haplotype analysis at the nad2 locus. Our analysis confirmed AE and indicated that sequences matched infected Saskatchewan coyotes and European E3/E4 haplotypes. The patient had no travel history outside North America. This suggests autochthonous transmission of a European-type strain.

HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs in Europe, North America, and Israel.

During 2011-16, HIV outbreaks occurred among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Canada (southeastern Saskatchewan), Greece (Athens), Ireland (Dublin), Israel (Tel Aviv), Luxembourg, Romania (Bucharest), Scotland (Glasgow), and USA (Scott County, Indiana). Factors common to many of these outbreaks included community economic problems, homelessness, and changes in drug injection patterns. The outbreaks differed in size (from under 100 to over 1000 newly reported HIV cases among PWID) and in the extent to which combined prevention had been implemented before, during, and after the outbreaks. Countries need to ensure high coverage of HIV prevention services and coverage higher than the current UNAIDS recommendation might be needed in areas in which short acting drugs are injected. In addition, monitoring of PWID with special attention for changing drug use patterns, risk behaviours, and susceptible subgroups (eg, PWID experiencing homelessness) needs to be in place to prevent or rapidly detect and contain new HIV outbreaks.

HIV infection after prenatal screening: an open window leading to perinatal infection.

Despite a dramatic decrease in vertical transmission of HIV in the developed world, maternal HIV infection acquired after negative prenatal screening still leaves a window of vulnerability. Through quality assurance programs in two Canadian Provinces, five cases where perinatal HIV transmission occurred despite negative prenatal screening were identified between 2005 and 2015. Maternal risk factors such as intravenous drug use, high-risk sexual behavior, hepatitis C virus co-infection, and belonging to high prevalence minority groups were common. Two mothers had their negative HIV test performed in the first trimester and three mothers had negative testing in the third trimester. All babies were clinically healthy at delivery with a normal weight. Three babies were tested following subsequent identification of maternal HIV infection and two babies presented with opportunistic infections leading to their diagnoses. The characteristics of these cases suggest that to achieve complete elimination of vertical HIV transmission, selective and innovative clinical management of mothers at high risk for HIV may be required.

Disseminated Exophiala dermatitidis causing septic arthritis and osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Exophiala dermatitidis is a melanized fungus isolated from many environmental sources. Infections caused by Exophiala species are typically seen in immunocompromised hosts and manifest most commonly as cutaneous or subcutaneous disease. Systemic infections are exceedingly rare and associated with significant morbidity and mortality CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old female originally from India presented with fevers, chills, weight loss and increasing back pain. She had a recent diffuse maculopapular rash that resulted in skin biopsy and a tentative diagnosis of sarcoidosis, leading to administration of azathioprine and prednisone. An MRI of her spine revealed a large paraspinal abscess requiring surgical intervention and hardware placement. Cultures from the paraspinal abscess grew a colony of dark pigmented mold. Microscopy of the culture revealed a melanized fungus, identified as Exophiala dermatitidis. Voriconazole was initially utilized, but due to relapse of infection involving the right iliac crest and left proximal humerus, she received a prolonged course of amphotericin B and posaconazole in combination and required 7 separate surgical interventions. Prolonged disease stability following discontinuation of therapy was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Described is the first identified case of disseminated Exophiala dermatitidis causing osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in a patient on immunosuppressive therapy. A positive outcome was achieved through aggressive surgical intervention and prolonged treatment with broad-spectrum antifungal agents.

The Continuum of HIV Care in Rural Communities in the United States and Canada: What Is Known and Future Research Directions.

The nature of the HIV epidemic in the United States and Canada has changed with a shift toward rural areas. Socioeconomic factors, geography, cultural context, and evolving epidemics of injection drug use are coalescing to move the epidemic into locations where populations are dispersed and health care resources are limited. Rural-urban differences along the care continuum demonstrate the implications of this sociogeographic shift. Greater attention is needed to build a more comprehensive understanding of the rural HIV epidemic in the United States and Canada, including research efforts, innovative approaches to care delivery, and greater community engagement in prevention and care.

Identifying factors associated with changes in CD4(+) count in HIV-infected adults in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of clinical and social factors unique to HIV-infected adults in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, regarding the rate of CD4(+) count change, and to identify factors associated with a risk of CD4(+) count decline. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study from medical chart reviews at two clinics was conducted in Saskatoon. Univariate and multivariate linear mixed effects models were used to assess the impact of selected factors on CD4(+) count change. RESULTS: Four hundred eleven HIV-infected patients were identified from January 1, 2003 to November 30, 2011. Two hundred eighteen (53%) were male, mean (± SD) age was 35.6 ±10.1 years, 257 (70.8%) were First Nations or Métis, 312 (80.2%) were hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected and 300 (73.3%) had a history of injection drug use (IDU). In univariate models, age, ethnicity, HCV, IDU, antiretroviral therapy and social assistance were significant. Using ethnicity, HCV and IDU, three multivariate models (models 1, 2, 3) were built due to high correlation. First Nations or Métis ethnicity, HCV coinfection and a history of IDU were associated with significantly lower CD4(+) counts in multivariate models. Older age and social assistance were associated with significantly lower CD4(+) counts in models 1 and 3. Age was marginally significant in model 2 (P=0.055). Not prescribed antiretroviral therapy was associated with a significantly negative CD4(+) count slope in all multivariate models. CONCLUSION: The unique epidemiology of this HIV-infected population may be contributing to CD4(+) count change. Increased attention and resources focused on this high-risk population are needed to prevent disease progression and to improve overall health and quality of life.

OBJECTIF: Évaluer les répercussions des facteurs cliniques et sociaux propres aux adultes infectés par le VIH de Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan, sur le taux de modifications de la numération de CD4+ et déterminer les facteurs associés à un risque de diminution de la numération de CD4+. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont réalisé une étude de cohorte longitudinale rétrospective des dossiers médicaux de deux cliniques de Saskatoon. Ils ont utilisé les modèles linéaires à effets mixtes univariés et multivariés pour évaluer les répercussions de certains facteurs associés aux modifications de la numération de CD4+. RÉSULTATS: Les chercheurs ont repéré 411 patients infectés par le VIH entre le 1er janvier 2003 et le 30 novembre 2011. Deux cent dix-huit d'entre eux (53 %) étaient de sexe masculin et avaient un âge moyen (± ÉT) de 35,6 ans ±10,1 ans, 257 (70,8 %) étaient Métis ou originaires des Premières nations, 312 (80,2 %) étaient co-infectés par le virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) et 300 (73,3 %) avaient des antécédents de consommation de drogues par injection (CDI). Dans les modèles univariés, l'âge, l'ethnie, le VHC, la CDI, l'antirétrovirothérapie et l'aide sociale étaient déterminants. À l'aide de l'ethnie, du VHC et de la CDI, les chercheurs ont formé trois modèles multivariés (modèles 1, 2, 3) en raison de leur forte corrélation. Le fait d'être Métis ou originaire des Premières nations, d'être co-infecté par le VHC et d'avoir des antécédents de CDI s'associait à des numérations de CD4+ beaucoup plus faibles dans les modèles multivariés. Le fait d'être plus âgé et de recevoir de l'aide sociale s'associait à une numération beaucoup plus faible de CD4+ dans les modèles 1 et 3. L'âge était légèrement significatif dans le modèle 2 (P=0,055). Dans tous les modèles multivariés, l'antirétrovirothérapie ne s'associait jamais à une pente négative de la numération de CD4+. CONCLUSION: L'épidémiologie unique de cette population infectée par le VIH contribue peut-être à une modification de la numération de CD4+. Il faudra se pencher sur ces patients à haut risque et y injecter plus de ressources pour prévenir l'évolution de leur maladie et améliorer leur santé et leur qualité de vie globales.

Parasitic zoonoses: one health surveillance in northern Saskatchewan.

We report the results of a joint human-animal health investigation in a Dene community in northern Saskatchewan, where residents harvest wildlife (including moose, bear, elk, and fish), live in close contact with free roaming dogs, and lack access to permanent veterinary services. Fecal analysis of owned and free-roaming dogs over two consecutive years (N = 92, 103) identified several parasites of public health concern, including Toxocara canis, Diphyllobothrium spp., Echinococcus/Taenia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. Administration of pyrantel pamoate to a subset of dogs (N = 122) in the community in the first year was followed by reduced shedding of T. canis and other roundworms in the second year, demonstrating the potential utility of canine de-worming as a public health intervention. Using direct agglutination tests with confirmatory indirect fluorescent antibody test, 21% of 47 dogs were sero-positive for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) sero-prevalence rates in 201 human volunteers were as follows: Toxoplasma gondii (14%), Echinococcus granulosus (48%), Toxocara canis (13%) and Trichinella spp. (16%). Overall 65% of participants were sero-positive for at least one parasite. A survey administered to volunteers indicated few associations between widely accepted risk factors for parasite exposure and serological status, emphasizing the importance of environmental transmission of these parasites through soil, food, and waterborne routes.

HIV disease progression to CD4 count <200 cells/µL and death in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and identify determinants of HIV disease progression among a predominantly injection drug use (IDU) HIV population in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era. METHODS: The present retrospective study was based on 343 HIV patients diagnosed from 2005 to 2010 from two clinics in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Disease progression was defined as the time from diagnosis to immunological AIDS (CD4 count <200 cells/µL) and death. Uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used. RESULTS: Of the 343 patients, 79% had a history of IDU, 77% were hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected and 67% were of Aboriginal descent. The one-year and three-year immunological AIDS-free probabilities were 78% and 53%, respectively. The one-year and three-year survival probabilities were 97% and 88%, respectively. Multicollinearity among IDU, HCV and ethnicity was observed and, thus, separate models were built. HCV coinfection (HR 2.9 [95% CI 1.2 to 6.9]) was a significant predictor of progression to immunological AIDS when controlling for baseline CD4 counts, treatment, age at diagnosis and year of diagnosis. For survival, only treatment use was a significant predictor (HR 0.34 [95% CI 0.1 to 0.8]). HCV coinfection was marginally significant (P=0.067). CONCLUSION: Baseline CD4 count, HCV coinfection, year of diagnosis and treatment use were significant predictors of disease progression. This highlights the importance of early treatment and the need for targeted interventions for these particularly vulnerable populations to slow disease progression.

OBJECTIF: Caractériser et établir les déterminants de la progression du VIH dans une population atteinte du VIH surtout composée d'utilisateurs de drogues injectables (UDI) à une époque d'antirétrovirothérapie très active. MÉTHODOLOGIE: La présente étude rétrospective s'est fondée sur 343 patients atteints du VIH diagnostiqués entre 2005 et 2010 dans deux cliniques de Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan. La progression de la maladie était définie comme le moment du diagnostic jusqu'à l'apparition du sida immunologique (numération de CD4 inférieure à 200 cellules/µL), puis jusqu'au décès. Les chercheurs ont utilisé le modèle univariable et multivariable de risques proportionnels de Cox. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 343 patients, 79 % avaient déjà été UDI, 77 % étaient co-infectés par le virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) et 67 % étaient d'origine autochtone. La probabilité de non-apparition de sida immunologique au bout d'un an et de trois ans correspondait à 78 % et à 53 %, respectivement. La probabilité de survie au bout d'un an et de trois ans s'élevait à 97 % et à 88 %, respectivement. Les chercheurs ont observé une multicolinéarité entre les UDI, le VHC et l'ethnie et ont donc préparé des modèles différents. La co-infection par le VHC (RC 2,9 [95 % IC 1,2 à 6,9]) était un prédicteur important de progression en sida immunologique lorsqu'on contrôlait l'effet de la numération de CD4 de référence, du traitement, de l'âge au diagnostic et de l'année de diagnostic. Seule l'utilisation du traitement était une prédicteur important de la survie (RC 0,34 [95 % IC 0,1 à 0,8]). La co-infection par le VHC avait peu d'importance (P=0,067). CONCLUSION: La numération de CD4 de référence, la co-infection par le VHC, l'année de diagnostic et l'utilisation d'un traitement étaient des prédicteurs importants de progression de la maladie. Ces constatations font ressortir l'importance d'un traitement rapide et la nécessité de procéder à des interventions ciblées pour ces populations particulièrement vulnérables afin de ralentir la progression de la maladie.

Technical and regulatory shortcomings of the TaqMan version 1 HIV viral load assay.

BACKGROUND: The lower limit of detection of the original Roche Amplicor HIV plasma viral load (pVL) assay (50 copies/mL) has defined HIV treatment success. The Amplicor assay, however, has been replaced by the Roche TaqMan assay(s). Changes to the limits of detection and calibration have not been validated for clinical utility. Sudden increases in the number of patients with detectable pVL have been reported following the introduction of the TaqMan version 1 assay. METHODS: Between October 2009 and April 2010 all routine pVL samples from British Columbia, Canada, with 40-250 copies/mL by TaqMan were re-tested by Amplicor (N = 1198). Subsequent short-term virological and resistance outcomes were followed in patients with unchanged therapy (N = 279; median 3.2 months follow-up). RESULTS: TaqMan and Amplicor values correlated poorly at low pVL values. Low-level pVL by TaqMan was not associated with impending short-term virological failure; only 17% of patients with 40-250 copies/mL by TaqMan had detectable pVL by Amplicor at follow-up. During the follow-up period only 20% of patients had an increase in pVL by TaqMan (median [IQR]: 80 [36-283] copies/mL). In addition, in ~2.4% of samples pVL was dramatically underestimated by TaqMan due to poor binding of the proprietary TaqMan primers. CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of Amplicor with the TaqMan assay has altered the previously accepted definition of HIV treatment failure without any evidence to support the clinical relevance of the new definition. Given the systematic differences in measurement in the low pVL range the British Columbia HIV treatment guidelines now use a threshold of >250 copies/mL by TaqMan to define treatment failure.

Characterizing the HIV epidemic in the prairie provinces.

BACKGROUND: The numbers and demographics of HIV-positive patients in care between 2003 and 2007 in the prairie provinces were examined. METHODS: Estimates of HIV-positive patients presenting to care between 2003 and 2007 were obtained from four clinic registries in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Detailed data were collected from clinical records of new patients in 2007. RESULTS: By the end of December 2007, 2263 HIV-positive persons were in care in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Males and females accounted for 1674 (74.0%) and 589 of the cases, respectively. Overall, there was a 12% increase per year in new HIV cases to care between 2003 and 2007 (P=0.026), with the rate of increase for males being 60% higher than for females over this time period (P=0.002). In 2007, there were 222 new HIV cases to care (37.4% female). Heterosexual contact was the most common HIV risk, but diversity was seen across sites with frequent injection drug use and men who have sex with men risk in Saskatchewan and southern Alberta, respectively. The Aboriginal population remains heavily over-represented, with approximately 36.0% of new cases being Aboriginal. Late presentation was common across all care sites, with 35.1% of cases presenting with CD4 counts of less than 200 cells/mm(3). DISCUSSION: Heterosexual risk is the most common risk reported for HIV acquisition, but injection drug use risk remains significant in Saskatchewan. Aboriginals are over-represented at all sites, and in Saskatchewan accounted for the majority of new cases seen. In contrast to national trends, numbers of new and late diagnoses are increasing in the praire provinces, and this has significant treatment implications and potential public health consequences. Further efforts need to be made to facilitate earlier testing and linkage to care. BACKGROUND: The numbers and demographics of HIV-positive patients in care between 2003 and 2007 in the prairie provinces were examined. METHODS: Estimates of HIV-positive patients presenting to care between 2003 and 2007 were obtained from four clinic registries in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Detailed data were collected from clinical records of new patients in 2007. RESULTS: By the end of December 2007, 2263 HIV-positive persons were in care in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. Males and females accounted for 1674 (74.0%) and 589 of the cases, respectively. Overall, there was a 12% increase per year in new HIV cases to care between 2003 and 2007 (P=0.026), with the rate of increase for males being 60% higher than for females over this time period (P=0.002). In 2007, there were 222 new HIV cases to care (37.4% female). Heterosexual contact was the most common HIV risk, but diversity was seen across sites with frequent injection drug use and men who have sex with men risk in Saskatchewan and southern Alberta, respectively. The Aboriginal population remains heavily over-represented, with approximately 36.0% of new cases being Aboriginal. Late presentation was common across all care sites, with 35.1% of cases presenting with CD4 counts of less than 200 cells/mm3. DISCUSSION: Heterosexual risk is the most common risk reported for HIV acquisition, but injection drug use risk remains significant in Saskatchewan. Aboriginals are over-represented at all sites, and in Saskatchewan accounted for the majority of new cases seen. In contrast to national trends, numbers of new and late diagnoses are increasing in the praire provinces, and this has significant treatment implications and potential public health consequences. Further efforts need to be made to facilitate earlier testing and linkage to care.

HISTORIQUE: Les chercheurs ont examiné le nombre et la démographie des patients positifs au VIH soignés entre 2003 et 2007 dans les provinces des Prairies. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont pu évaluer le nombre de patients positifs au VIH qui ont consulté pour la première fois entre 2003 et 2007 d'après quatre registres cliniques du Manitoba, de la Saskatchewan et du sud de l'Alberta. Ils ont également recueilli les données détaillées des dossiers cliniques de nouveaux patients en 2007. RÉSULTATS: À la fin de décembre 2007, 2 263 personnes positives au VIH étaient soignées au Manitoba, en Saskatchewan et dans le sud de l'Alberta. Les hommes et les femmes représentaient 1 674 (74,0 %) et 589 cas, respectivement. Dans l'ensemble, on a constaté une augmentation annuelle de 12 % des nouveaux cas de VIH soignés entre 2003 et 2007 (P=0,026), le taux d'augmentation pour les hommes étant 60 % plus élevé que pour les femmes (P=0,002). En 2007, on a recensé 222 nouveaux cas de VIH soignés (37,4 % de femmes). Le contact hétérosexuel représentait le principal risque de VIH, mais on remarquait une diversité selon les lieux, le risque posé par la consommation fréquente de drogues par injection et par les relations sexuelles entre hommes étant observé en Saskatchewan et au sud de l'Alberta, respectivement. La population autochtone demeure lourdement surreprésentée, puisqu'environ 36,0 % des nouveaux cas étaient d'origine autochtone. Une présentation tardive était fréquente partout, la numération de CD4 étant inférieure à 200 cellules/mm3 à la présentation dans 35,1 % des cas. EXPOSÉ: Les contacts hétérosexuels constituent le principal risque déclaré d'acquisition du VIH, mais la consommation de drogues par injection demeure importante en Saskatchewan. Les Autochtones sont surreprésentés partout, et en Saskatchewan, ils représentent la majorité des nouveaux cas observés. Contrairement aux tendances nationales, le nombre de nouveaux diagnostics et de diagnostics tardifs augmente dans les provinces des Prairies, ce qui a des répercussions thérapeutiques importantes et des conséquences potentielles en matière de santé publique. Il faut faire davantage d'efforts pour favoriser la tenue de tests et des mises en relation plus rapides vers les soins.

Blastomycosis in children and adolescents: a 30-year experience from Manitoba.

Blastomyces dermatitidis, a thermally dimorphic fungus endemic to areas of North America, causes a granulomatous infection which may affect any organ system. Since limited clinical data exist about pediatric blastomycosis, we conducted a retrospective review of medical records of pediatric patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of blastomycosis treated during a 30-year period at a tertiary care center. Thirty-four pediatric patients with blastomycosis were identified (20 [59%] male), with a mean age at diagnosis of 10 ± 5 years. Two patients were immunocompromised. Pulmonary disease was noted in 27 (79%) patients, and extrapulmonary disease was found in 13 (38%) patients (concurrent pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease, six patients), including five cases of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Delay in diagnosis was greater with extrapulmonary or central nervous system infections as compared with pulmonary blastomycosis. All patients received antifungal chemotherapy, with 19 (56%) patients receiving amphotericin B as initial therapy for 27.5 ± 17 days. Five patients required treatment in the intensive care unit. One patient died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Blastomycosis may occur in healthy children, including very young infants. Due to the frequency of extra-pulmonary disease, diagnosis may be difficult and frequently delayed, especially in cases of CNS infection.

Multiple zoonotic pathogens identified in canine feces collected from a remote Canadian indigenous community.

Five genera of potentially zoonotic bacteria and parasites were detected in environmentally collected fecal samples from a remote indigenous community in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Organisms identified include Toxocara canis, Echniococcus granulosus, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Campylobacter spp. The prevalence and intensity of Giardia spp. and Campylobacter spp. in fecal samples was particularly remarkable. Three-quarters of samples tested contained at least one zoonotic species of Campylobacter, and C. jejuni-containing feces had an average of 2.9 x 10(5) organisms/g. Over one-half of samples tested contained Giardia spp. with an average of 9,266 cysts/g. Zoonotic G. duodenalis Assemblage A was the only Giardia spp. genotype identified. These data suggest that canine feces have the potential to pose a significant health risk to Canadians in rural and remote indigenous communities.

Emergence of sylvatic Echinococcus granulosus as a parasitic zoonosis of public health concern in an indigenous community in Canada.

Within a remote Canadian Indigenous community, at least 11* of people had antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus and E. granulosus eggs were detected in 6* of environmentally collected canine fecal samples. Dog ownership, hunting, and trapping were not risk factors for seropositivity, suggesting that people are most likely exposed to E. granulosus through indirect contact with dog feces in the environment. In this situation, human exposure could be most effectively curtailed by preventing consumption of cervid viscera by free-roaming dogs.

Characterization of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae collected from respiratory infections and invasive disease cases in Manitoba, Canada.

With the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine, invasive Hib disease has decreased substantially, but nontypeable H. influenzae (NT Hi) disease appears to be increasing. In order to understand the origin of NT Hi strains and their relationship with serotypeable strains, we analysed 125 NT Hi isolates collected from individual patients with either invasive disease (70 isolates) or respiratory tract infections (55 isolates). Serotype-specific and capsular transport genes were absent by PCR analysis, confirming their nonencapsulated status, which also suggested the NT Hi isolates were not encapsulated strains that shed their capsules. Multilocus sequence typing confirmed the NT Hi isolates did not have the same genetic background as serotypeable strains, including Hib. Despite the genetic heterogeneity found, two major genetic clusters were identified, both containing invasive and respiratory isolates. Fourteen invasive isolates and nine respiratory isolates produced beta-lactamase and were ampicillin resistant. More invasive (26.8%) than respiratory isolates (10.9%) showed decreased susceptibility towards ampicillin by a mechanism unrelated to beta-lactamase production. Besides a change in the capsule status of invasive Hi strains, the burden of invasive Hi disease, which used to be mainly a childhood disease, has now shifted to involve both adults and infants.