Public Health Response to an Avian Influenza A(H7N8) Virus Outbreak in Commercial Turkey Flocks - Indiana, 2016.

In January 2016, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H7N8) virus and low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A(H7N8) virus were detected in commercial turkey flocks in Dubois County, Indiana. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Dubois County Health Department (DCHD) coordinated the public health response to this outbreak, which was the first detection of HPAI A(H7N8) in any species (1). This response was the first to fully implement unpublished public health monitoring procedures for HPAI responders that were developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and CDC in 2015 (Sonja Olsen, CDC, personal communication, October 2017). No cases of zoonotic avian influenza infection in humans were detected during the outbreak.

Notes from the Field: Expanded Chemoprophylaxis Offered in Response to a Case of Meningococcal Meningitis in an Elementary School - Indiana, 2015.

On December 11, 2015, the Fort Wayne-Allen County (Indiana) Department of Health was notified by a local hospital laboratory of a suspected case of meningococcal meningitis based on Gram stain results of cerebrospinal fluid. The county health department interviewed close family members and friends of the patient to establish an infectious period, timeline of events, and possible exposures. Close medical and household contacts were offered chemoprophylaxis (1). This case was associated with an elementary school. The patient had intermittent, close, potentially face-to-face contact with many students, and was reported to have had a persistent, productive cough throughout the exposure period. In light of these unusual circumstances, and the fact that elementary school-aged children are not routinely vaccinated against meningococcal disease,* local and state health officials, with CDC support, decided to offer chemoprophylaxis to the patient's contacts. A total of 581 child and adult contacts were identified.

Lack of Transmission among Close Contacts of Patient with Case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Imported into the United States, 2014.

In May 2014, a traveler from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the first person identified with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the United States. To evaluate transmission risk, we determined the type, duration, and frequency of patient contact among health care personnel (HCP), household, and community contacts by using standard questionnaires and, for HCP, global positioning system (GPS) tracer tag logs. Respiratory and serum samples from all contacts were tested for MERS-CoV. Of 61 identified contacts, 56 were interviewed. HCP exposures occurred most frequently in the emergency department (69%) and among nurses (47%); some HCP had contact with respiratory secretions. Household and community contacts had brief contact (e.g., hugging). All laboratory test results were negative for MERS-CoV. This contact investigation found no secondary cases, despite case-patient contact by 61 persons, and provides useful information about MERS-CoV transmission risk. Compared with GPS tracer tag recordings, self-reported contact may not be as accurate.

Clinical and laboratory findings of the first imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus to the United States.

BACKGROUND: The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was discovered September 2012 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The first US case of MERS-CoV was confirmed on 2 May 2014. METHODS: We summarize the clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory and radiologic findings, and MERS-CoV-specific tests. RESULTS: The patient is a 65-year-old physician who worked in a hospital in KSA where MERS-CoV patients were treated. His illness onset included malaise, myalgias, and low-grade fever. He flew to the United States on day of illness (DOI) 7. His first respiratory symptom, a dry cough, developed on DOI 10. On DOI 11, he presented to an Indiana hospital as dyspneic, hypoxic, and with a right lower lobe infiltrate on chest radiography. On DOI 12, his serum tested positive by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for MERS-CoV and showed high MERS-CoV antibody titers, whereas his nasopharyngeal swab was rRT-PCR negative. Expectorated sputum was rRT-PCR positive the following day, with a high viral load (5.31 × 10(6) copies/mL). He was treated with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin, and oxygen by nasal cannula. He was discharged on DOI 22. The genome sequence was similar (>99%) to other known MERS-CoV sequences, clustering with those from KSA from June to July 2013. CONCLUSIONS: This patient had a prolonged nonspecific prodromal illness before developing respiratory symptoms. Both sera and sputum were rRT-PCR positive when nasopharyngeal specimens were negative. US clinicians must be vigilant for MERS-CoV in patients with febrile and/or respiratory illness with recent travel to the Arabian Peninsula, especially among healthcare workers.

Lasers and laser-like devices: part two.

Part two of this review series evaluates the use of lasers and laser-like devices in dermatology based on published evidence and the collective experience of the senior authors. Dermatologists can laser-treat a wide range of dermatoses, including vascular, pigmentary, textural, benign proliferative and premalignant conditions. Some of these conditions include vascular malformation, haemangioma, facial telangiectases, café-au-lait macules, naevi of Ota, lentigines, acne scarring, rhytides, rhinophyma and miscellaneous skin lesions. Photodynamic therapy with lasers and intense pulsed light is addressed, with particular reference to actinic keratosis and actinic cheilitis. A treatment algorithm for acne scarring based on scar morphology and severity is comprehensively outlined. Following from part one, the various devices are matched to the corresponding dermatological conditions with representative pictorial case vignettes illustrating likely clinical outcomes as well as limitations and potential complications of the various laser and light therapies.

Human infections with influenza A(H3N2) variant virus in the United States, 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND. During August 2011-April 2012, 13 human infections with influenza A(H3N2) variant (H3N2v) virus were identified in the United States; 8 occurred in the prior 2 years. This virus differs from previous variant influenza viruses in that it contains the matrix (M) gene from the Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic influenza virus. METHODS. A case was defined as a person with laboratory-confirmed H3N2v virus infection. Cases and contacts were interviewed to determine exposure to swine and other animals and to assess potential person-to-person transmission. RESULTS. Median age of cases was 4 years, and 12 of 13 (92%) were children. Pig exposure was identified in 7 (54%) cases. Six of 7 cases with swine exposure (86%) touched pigs, and 1 (14%) was close to pigs without known direct contact. Six cases had no swine exposure, including 2 clusters of suspected person-to-person transmission. All cases had fever; 12 (92%) had respiratory symptoms, and 3 (23%) were hospitalized for influenza. All 13 cases recovered. CONCLUSIONS. H3N2v virus infections were identified at a high rate from August 2011 to April 2012, and cases without swine exposure were identified in influenza-like illness outbreaks, indicating that limited person-to-person transmission likely occurred. Variant influenza viruses rarely result in sustained person-to-person transmission; however, the potential for this H3N2v virus to transmit efficiently is of concern. With minimal preexisting immunity in children and the limited cross-protective effect from seasonal influenza vaccine, the majority of children are susceptible to infection with this novel influenza virus.

Outbreak of variant influenza A(H3N2) virus in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Variant influenza virus infections are rare but may have pandemic potential if person-to-person transmission is efficient. We describe the epidemiology of a multistate outbreak of an influenza A(H3N2) variant virus (H3N2v) first identified in 2011. METHODS: We identified laboratory-confirmed cases of H3N2v and used a standard case report form to characterize illness and exposures. We considered illness to result from person-to-person H3N2v transmission if swine contact was not identified within 4 days prior to illness onset. RESULTS: From 9 July to 7 September 2012, we identified 306 cases of H3N2v in 10 states. The median age of all patients was 7 years. Commonly reported signs and symptoms included fever (98%), cough (85%), and fatigue (83%). Sixteen patients (5.2%) were hospitalized, and 1 fatal case was identified. The majority of those infected reported agricultural fair attendance (93%) and/or contact with swine (95%) prior to illness. We identified 15 cases of possible person-to-person transmission of H3N2v. Viruses recovered from patients were 93%-100% identical and similar to viruses recovered from previous cases of H3N2v. All H3N2v viruses examined were susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir and resistant to adamantane antiviral medications. CONCLUSIONS: In a large outbreak of variant influenza, the majority of infected persons reported exposures, suggesting that swine contact at an agricultural fair was a risk for H3N2v infection. We identified limited person-to-person H3N2v virus transmission, but found no evidence of efficient or sustained person-to-person transmission. Fair managers and attendees should be aware of the risk of swine-to-human transmission of influenza viruses in these settings.

Hospitalized patients with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United States--September-October 2009.

Given the potential worsening clinical severity of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus (pH1N1) infection from spring to fall 2009, we conducted a clinical case series among patients hospitalized with pH1N1 infection from September through October 2009. A case patient was defined as a hospitalized person who had test results positive for pH1N1 virus by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 255 hospitalized patients, 34% were admitted to an intensive care unit and 8% died. Thirty-four percent of patients were children <18 years of age, 8% were adults ≥ 65 years of age, and 67% had an underlying medical condition. Chest radiographs obtained at hospital admission that had findings that were consistent with pneumonia were noted in 103 (46%) of 255 patients. Among 255 hospitalized patients, 208 (82%) received neuraminidase inhibitors, but only 47% had treatment started ≤ 2 days after illness onset. Overall, characteristics of hospitalized patients with pH1N1 infection in fall 2009 were similar to characteristics of patients hospitalized with pH1N1 infection in spring 2009, which suggests that clinical severity did not change substantially over this period.

A large, travel-associated outbreak of legionellosis among hotel guests: utility of the urine antigen assay in confirming Pontiac fever.

BACKGROUND: During March 2004, a large outbreak of legionnaires disease and Pontiac fever occurred among hotel guests in Oklahoma. An investigation was conducted to identify the source and evaluate the utility of the Legionella urine antigen assay and serologic testing for the identification of Pontiac fever. METHODS: A retrospective cohort investigation of hotel guests and employees and an environmental evaluation were performed. Participants were interviewed, and clinical specimens were collected from consenting individuals. RESULTS: Six cases of legionnaires disease and 101 cases of Pontiac fever were identified. Exposure to the indoor pool and hot tub area was associated with legionellosis (relative risk, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-6.9). Specimens from the pool and hot tub tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 by polymerase chain reaction. For Pontiac fever, the sensitivity and positive predictive value were 35.7% and 100%, respectively, for the urine antigen assay, and 46.4% and 90%, respectively, for serologic testing. The specificity and negative predictive value were 100% and 47.8%, respectively, for the urine antigen assay, and 89.3% and 45.5%, respectively, for serologic testing. CONCLUSIONS: Urine antigen testing, with or without serologic testing, can be used to confirm outbreak-associated cases of Pontiac fever caused by L. pneumophila serogroup 1.

Basal cell carcinoma treated with Mohs surgery in Australia I. Experience over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Only a few prospective studies have been published on surgical treatments for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to report the clinical findings of all patients with BCC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in Australia between 1993 and 2002. METHOD: This prospective, multicenter case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for BCC, who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation between 1993 and 2002. The main outcome measures were patient demographics, reason for referral, duration of tumor, site, preoperative tumor size, recurrences before MMS, histologic classification of malignancy, and postoperative defect size. RESULTS: The study included 11,127 patients (47% females and 53% males) with a mean age of 62 years (range, 15-98 years). In 43.8% of cases BCC was a recurrent tumor. Most of the tumors (98.3%) were on the head and neck area, most commonly on the nose (39%), cheek and maxilla (16.5%), periocular area (12.7%), and auricular region (11.4%). The most common histologic subtypes were infiltrating (30.7%), nodulocystic (24.2%), and superficial (13.6%). Previously recurrent tumors were larger than primary tumors (P < .001), had a larger postexcision defect and more subclinical extension, and required more levels of excision (P < .001). LIMITATIONS: Data were missing for some outcome measures. CONCLUSION: This large prospective series of BCC managed by MMS is characterized by a high percentage of high-risk tumors. Most tumors were located in the mid-facial area and the histologic subtype was mainly infiltrating or nodulocystic. That previously recurrent tumors were larger and demonstrated a more extensive subclinical extension compared with primary tumors emphasizes the importance of initial tumor eradication with margin control.

Basal cell carcinoma treated with Mohs surgery in Australia II. Outcome at 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up is essential to evaluate the role of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in the treatment for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to report the 5-year follow-up outcome of patients treated with MMS for BCC. METHOD: This prospective, multicenter case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for BCC, who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation between 1993 and 2002. Parameters recorded were patient demographics, duration of tumor, site, preoperative tumor size, recurrences before MMS, histologic classification of malignancy, postoperative defect size, and 5-year recurrence after MMS. RESULTS: Three thousand three hundred seventy (3370) patients (1594 female and 1776 male patients) completed a 5-year follow-up period. Fifty-six percent of the tumors were primary and 44% were previously recurrent. Most of them (98.4%) were located on the head and neck, and the most common histologic subtypes were nodulocystic (29.3%) and infiltrating (28.3%). Recurrence at 5 years was diagnosed in 1.4% of primary and in 4% of recurrent tumors. Previous tumor recurrence (P < .001), longer tumor duration before MMS (P = .015), infiltrating histology (P = .13), and more levels for tumor (P < .001) were the main predictors for tumor recurrence after MMS. LIMITATION: Data were missing for some outcome measures. CONCLUSION: The low 5-year recurrence rate of BCC with MMS emphasizes the importance of margin-controlled excision.

Basal cell carcinoma treated with Mohs surgery in Australia III. Perineural invasion.

BACKGROUND: Perineural invasion (PNI) is an important factor may possibly influence the aggressiveness of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the incidence, features, and outcomes of BCC with PNI in patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). METHOD: This prospective, multicenter case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for BCC with PNI, who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia between 1993 and 2002. The parameters recorded were patient demographics, reason for referral, duration of tumor, site, preoperative tumor size, recurrence before MMS, histologic subtypes, postoperative defect size, and recurrence at 5 years after MMS. RESULTS: Two-hundred eighty-three patients were diagnosed with PNI. Most cases occurred in male patients (61%; P = .006) and in previously recurrent tumors (60.4%; P < .001). The infiltrating, morpheic, and basosquamous subtypes were more likely to be associated with PNI (P < .0001). Tumor sizes before excision and postoperative defect sizes were significantly larger in cases with PNI compared with cases with no PNI (P < .001 for both parameters), as was the mean number of Mohs excision levels. Seventy-eight patients completed a 5-year follow-up period after MMS, and 6 of them (7.7%) were diagnosed with recurrence. LIMITATIONS: Data were missing for some outcome measures. CONCLUSION: PNI is an uncommon feature of BCC. When present, PNI is associated with larger, more aggressive tumors, and the risk of 5-year recurrence is higher. This emphasizes the importance of tumor excision with margin control and long-term patient monitoring.

Cutaneous squamous carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease): treatment with Mohs micrographic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bowen's disease (BD), also known as squamous intraepidermal carcinoma, is a malignant skin tumor with a potential to progress to invasive carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: We sought to report a large series of patients with BD treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for BD, who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation between 1993 and 2002. RESULTS: There were 270 cases; the majority (93.4%) were located in the head and neck area. In 50.7% of cases it was a recurrent tumor. In 20% the tumor was initially misdiagnosed as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. No cases with perineural invasion were diagnosed. There were 6 cases of recurrence (6.3%) of 95 patients who completed a 5-year follow-up period after MMS. CONCLUSION: The low 5-year recurrence rate of BD with MMS emphasizes the importance of margin-controlled excision, especially in the head and neck area where tissue preservation is essential.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: treatment with Mohs micrographic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is reported to have a high rate of recurrence with standard wide local excision. OBJECTIVE: To report a large series of patients with MAC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). METHODS: This prospective, multi-center case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for MAC, who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation between 1993 and 2002. RESULTS: There were 44 cases; most of them (90.9%) were located in the head and neck area. In 31.8% of cases it was a recurrent tumor. In 32.5% of cases the tumor was initially misdiagnosed as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Perineural invasion was recorded in 17.5% of cases; most of them (85.7%) were previously recurrent tumors. There was only one case of recurrence (5%) out of 20 patients who completed a 5 year follow-up period after MMS. CONCLUSION: The low 5-year recurrence rate of MAC with MMS emphasizes the importance of margin-controlled excision.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with Mohs micrographic surgery in Australia I. Experience over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Only a few reports have been published on the long-term outcome of surgical excision of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to report the clinical findings and 5-year recurrence rate of all patients with cutaneous SCC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in Australia between 1993 and 2002. METHOD: This prospective, multicenter case series included all patients with SCC who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation. The main outcome measures were patient demographics, reason for referral, duration of tumor, site, preoperative tumor size, postoperative defect size, recurrences before MMS, histological subtypes, and 5-year recurrence after MMS. RESULTS: The case series comprised 1263 patients (25.7% female and 74.3% male; P < .0001) with a mean age of 66 +/- 13 years. In 61.1% of cases the lesion was a primary tumor, and in 38.9% it was a recurrent tumor. Most of the tumors (96.5%) were on the head and neck area. Recurrent tumors were larger than primary tumors (P < .0001), had a larger postexcision defect (P < .0001), required more levels of excision (P < .0001), and had more cases of subclinical extension (P = .002). Recurrence after MMS was diagnosed in 15 of the 381 patients (3.9%) who completed the 5-year follow-up after MMS. The recurrence rate was 2.6% in patients with primary SCC and 5.9% in patients with previously recurrent SCC (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This large prospective series of SCC managed by MMS is characterized by a high percentage of high-risk tumors. The low 5-year recurrence rate with MMS emphasizes the importance of margin-controlled excision.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with Mohs micrographic surgery in Australia II. Perineural invasion.

BACKGROUND: Perineural invasion (PNI) is an important histologic factor that plays a significant role in cutaneous tumors' aggressiveness. OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the incidence, features, and outcomes of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with PNI in patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). METHOD: This prospective, multicenter, case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for squamous cell carcinoma with PNI who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia between 1993 and 2002. The parameters recorded were patient demographics, duration of tumor, site, preoperative tumor size, recurrence before MMS, histologic subtypes, postoperative defect size, and recurrence at 5 years after MMS. RESULTS: Seventy patients were given a diagnosis of PNI. PNI was more common in men (77.1%) and in previously recurrent tumors (P = .04). The moderately and poorly differentiated histologic subtypes were more likely to be associated with PNI (P < .0001). Tumor sizes before excision, postoperative defect sizes, subclinical extension, and mean number of MMS levels were significantly larger in cases with PNI compared with cases without PNI (P < .0001, P < .0001, P = .002, and P < .0001, respectively). Most patients with PNI (52.9%) were treated with adjunctive radiotherapy. In all, 25 patients completed a 5-year follow-up post-MMS, and two of them (8.0%) were given a diagnosis of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although PNI is an uncommon feature of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, when present, it is associated with larger, more aggressive tumors, and the risk of recurrence is higher. This emphasizes the importance of tumor excision with margin control and long-term patient monitoring.

Lichen planus-like drug eruptions due to ß-blockers: a case report and literature review.

Lichen planus-like drug eruptions (LDE) can appear similar or identical to idiopathic lichen planus. We present a 45-year-old man with a widespread, violaceous, papular, generalized exanthema with histologic features of a lichenoid reaction, which subsequently resolved with the cessation of labetatol. We found 29 cases of previously reported ß-adrenoceptor antagonist (ß-blocker)-associated LDE. This is a relatively rare complication that may present as classic lichenoid papules indistinguishable from lichen planus and has a predilection for the limbs, chest, back, and oral mucosa. Histologically, there is a lichenoid infiltrate often with eosinophils. LDE may be due to drug cross-reactivity or as a result of a suppressed skin adrenergic system. Multiple potential medications in case studies and the inability to differentiate LDE from idiopathic lichen planus in cross-sectional association studies make any conclusive analysis difficult.

The Australian Mohs database: short-term recipient-site complications in full-thickness skin grafts.

BACKGROUND: There are only a few reports on the outcome with full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG) in defect reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the complications with FTSG in patients treated with MMS for cutaneous tumors. METHODS: This study is based on a prospective data collection of all patients in Australia treated with MMS and monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation, between 1993 and 2002. Primary outcome measures were FTSG recipient-site complications (partial/complete graft failure, graft infection, acute bleeding/hematoma, graft hypertrophy, and graft contracture). RESULTS: The study group included 2,673 patients (50.2% men) with a mean age of 64+/-14 years. Most tumors were basal call carcinoma (90.9%) and were located on the nose (63.8%), periocular area (14.8%), or auricular area (8.1%). A total of 11.7% of cases had recipient-site complications (graft hypertrophy, 42.3%; partial graft failure, 27.2%; graft contraction, 15.3%). Only 45.2% of complicated cases required treatment. CONCLUSION: Short-term recipient-site complications occurred in less than 12% of reconstructions with FTSG. Graft hypertrophy and partial graft failure accounted for most cases of complications. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Scalp tumors treated with Mohs micrographic surgery: clinical features and surgical outcome.

BACKGROUND: There are only a small number of reports on the outcome of scalp tumors treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to present a large series of patients with scalp tumors treated with MMS in Australia between 1993 and 2002. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter study included all patients with scalp tumors who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia. The variables analyzed were patient demographics, reason for referral, preoperative tumor size and postoperative defect size, recurrences before MMS, histologic subtypes, perineural invasion, and 5-year recurrence. RESULTS: The study included 316 patients (68% men) with a mean age of 65+/-15 years. The most common tumors were basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 57.9%; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 35.8%; Bowen's disease (BD), 4.1%; and atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), 1.6%. Recurrent tumors comprised 37% of cases. The recurrence rate for 70 BCC patients who completed the 5-year follow-up was 5.7%, and for 31 SCC cases it was 3.2%. No cases of recurrence were noted in the patients with BD and AFX. CONCLUSION: BCC was the most common scalp tumor managed by MMS. The low 5-year recurrence rate emphasizes the importance of margin controlled excision of scalp tumors.