Association between sugar cane burning and acute respiratory illness on the island of Maui.

BACKGROUND: Sugar cane harvesting by burning on Maui island is an environmental health issue due to respiratory effects of smoke. Volcanic smog ("vog") from an active volcano on a neighboring island periodically blankets Maui and could confound a study of cane smoke's effects since cane burning is not allowed on vog days. This study examines the association between cane burning and emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and prescription fills for acute respiratory illnesses. METHODS: This retrospective study controlled for confounders that could increase respiratory distress on non-burn days by matching each burn day with a non-burn day and then comparing the ratio of patients with respiratory distress residing in the path of sugar burn smoke to those residing elsewhere on Maui on burn versus non-burn days. Patients with acute respiratory distress were defined as those with one or more acute respiratory diagnoses at one of the hospitals or emergency departments on Maui. Separately, patients with acute respiratory illness were identified through prescription records from four community pharmacies, specifically defined as those who filled prescriptions for acute respiratory distress. RESULTS: There were 1,256 reports of respiratory distress prescriptions and 686 hospital/ED diagnoses of acute respiratory illness. The ratio of cases within to outside of smoke exposure was higher on burn days for both the ED/hospital data and the pharmacy, though not statistically significant. In post-hoc analyses of the pharmacy data based on the number of acres burned as a proxy for volume of smoke, there was a dose response trend for acreage burned such that the highest quartile showed a statistically significant higher proportion of acute respiratory distress in the exposed versus non-exposed regions (P = 0.015, OR 2.4, 95% CI [1.2-4.8]). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for confounders on non-burn days, there was a significantly higher incidence of respiratory distress in smoke-exposed regions when greater amounts of acres were burned. Health officials should consider actions to reduce the negative health outcomes associated with sugar cane burning practices.

Sensitivity of nested-PCR for plasmodium detection in pooled whole blood samples and its usefulness to blood donor screening in endemic areas.

Transfusion-transmitted malaria is a severe disease with high fatality rate. Most Brazilian blood banks in the Amazon region perform malaria screening using microscopic examination (thick smears). Since low parasite concentrations are expected in asymptomatic blood donors a high sensitivity test should be used for donor screening. This study determined the sensitivity of a nested-PCR for plasmodium detection in pooled samples. We performed a one-stage criterion validation study with 21 positive samples pooled with samples from ten negative volunteer until three different concentrations were reached (0.33; 0.25; 0.20 parasites/µL - p/µL). Nested PCR was performed as described by Snounou et al. (1993). Sensitivities (and confidence intervals) were determined by stratum of final parasite concentration on the pooled samples. All samples with parasitemia values of 0.33 and 0.25 p/µL had 100% sensitivity (95%CI=86.3-100). One negative result was obtained from a sample with 0.20 p/µL sensitivity=95.2% (95%CI=76.2-99.9). Compared to parasitemia detectable under ideal conditions of thick smear, this nested-PCR in pooled sample was able to detect 40 times more parasites per microliter. Nested-PCR in pooled samples should be considered as a high sensitive alternative to thick smear for donor screening in blood banks at endemic regions. Local authorities need to assess cost:benefit advantages of this method compared to alternatives.

Barriers with Valve Mechanisms Are Predicted to Protect Crops from Slug Carriers of Rat Lungworm Disease.

Angiostrongyliasis (Rat Lungworm disease) is an emerging parasitic disease caused by the ingestion of gastropods infected with the neurotropic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The reduction of crop infestation with infected slug carriers may vary widely by protection method. We explored the application of barriers with valve mechanisms, whereby selective directional forces caused a greater number of slugs to exit than enter the protected plot, leading to decreased slug population densities at a steady state. Using field data, we constructed predictive models to estimate slug population densities at a steady state in protected plots with (1) no valve effect, (2) a valve effect, (3) no valve effect with a single breach of the barrier, (4) a valve effect with a single breach of the barrier, (5) a valve effect with a constant breach of the barrier, and (6) a repelling effect. For all scenarios, plots protected using a barrier with a valve effect had consistently lower slug densities at a steady state. Our findings support the use of barriers with valve mechanisms under different conditions, and potentially in combination with other interventions to reduce the contamination of crops by slug carriers of A. cantonensis. Improving barriers extends beyond disease mitigation to economic and cultural impacts on the local farmer and consumer communities.

An Effective Barrier to Prevent Crop Contamination by Slug Vectors of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

The accidental ingestion of slugs, intermediate hosts to the Angiostrongylus cantonensis parasite, is the most common cause of rat lungworm disease (RLWD) found in humans in Hawaii. This disease has high morbidity and can be complicated to diagnose and treat. With these considerations, efforts in prevention of the initial infection are of high priority. Management of the slug and snail population in food crops is a primary focus to reduce contamination of produce with the rat lungworm (RLW) parasite. The purpose of this study was to prevent RLW crop contamination by preventing the intermediate slug hosts from infesting produce. Our studies showed that an electrified metal tape was a very effective barrier first in the laboratory and then in a garden/farm setting. The intervention is simple to install and maintain and with monitoring for occasional barrier breaches should be able to significantly reduce slug invasion. An integrated pest management program will benefit from the addition of this barrier method to prevent slug carriers of RLWD from infesting produce.

Cost-benefit estimates of an elderly exercise program on Kaua'i.

The elderly consume a disproportionate amount of health care resources, and the recent trend in obesity will only escalate costs. EnhanceFitness® (EF) is an exercise program designed to increase the strength, flexibility, and balance of older adults. A comprehensive controlled study in Washington state of an elderly population has shown that participants who attend at least one EF class per week reduce healthcare costs by 20% per year. The present study reports the costs and potential benefits of replicating EF on Kaua'i. For Kaua'i the annual cost of an EF pilot program for 132 clients would be $204,735. Attendance records of the Kaua'i program showed that 96 (73%) of those enrolled attended at least weekly. Based on national reports of healthcare costs for the elderly, averting 20% of the costs for these 96 elderly would save $344,256 per year. The expected investment to return ratio, I-R ratio, for EF on Kaua'i is about 1-1.8. On economic grounds, a case can be made to support and expand these types of programs. In these times of budget cuts, cost-benefit analysis provides a common economic "language" to prioritize among different programs.

A Report on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health and Social Welfare in the County of Maui, Hawai'i.

The Community Care Outreach Unit of the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) Medical/Public Heath Branch conducted a survey to gauge the impact, needs, and threats to the health and social welfare of individuals and their families pertaining to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This article presents key findings for the County of Maui (MC) in the state. A mixed-methods framework was utilized for survey distribution and recruitment of participants from across the state. Recruitment strategies included snowball sampling via website and social media, and paper surveys. Descriptive analysis of the data is presented to give a basic overview of the impact of COVID-19 in MC. A total of 883 participants in MC responded to the survey. Approximately one-third reported that they or family members experienced reduced work hours or lost their job because of COVID-19. In all questions related to paying for essential living needs, the percentage of participants who expected to have future problems was higher than the percentage who reported having current problems. Of those preparing for the fall 2020 school semester, expected challenges included lack of funds to purchase school supplies, lack of face coverings, and language barriers. Most participants in MC perceived the severity of COVID-19 to be moderate to very high, and there was a moderate level of knowledge about which groups are more at risk for contracting severe COVID-19. Less than half would know how to provide care for someone in their family with COVID-19. Several resource barriers for caring for a family member with COVID-19 were identified. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a more severe impact on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups compared to others in the county. The results may provide a baseline for understanding the impact, needs, and threats to the health and social welfare of individuals and their families in MC. Local stakeholders can utilize this information to develop priorities, strategies, and programs to address the COVID-19 pandemic response in MC.

Diagnostic approach to acute diarrheal illness in a military population on training exercises in Thailand, a region of campylobacter hyperendemicity.

High rates of Campylobacter fluoroquinolone resistance highlight the need to evaluate diagnostic strategies that can be used to assist with clinical management. Diagnostic tests were evaluated with U.S. soldiers presenting with acute diarrhea during deployment in Thailand. The results of bedside and field laboratory diagnostic tests were compared to stool microbiology findings for 182 enrolled patients. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 62% of the cases. Clinical and laboratory findings at the time of presentation were evaluated to determine their impact on the posttest probability, defined as the likelihood of a diagnosis of Campylobacter infection. Clinical findings, the results of tests for inflammation (stool occult blood testing [Hemoccult], fecal leukocytes, fecal lactoferrin, plasma C-reactive protein), and the numbers of Campylobacter-specific antibody-secreting cells in peripheral blood failed to increase the posttest probability above 90% in this setting of Campylobacter hyperendemicity when these findings were present. Positive results by a Campylobacter-specific commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and, less so, a research PCR were strong positive predictors. The negative predictive value for ruling out Campylobacter infection, defined as a posttest probability of less than 10%, was similarly observed with these Campylobacter-specific stool-based tests as well the fecal leukocyte test. Compared to the other tests evaluated, the Campylobacter EIA is a sensitive and specific rapid diagnostic test that may assist with diagnostic evaluation, with consideration of the epidemiological setting, logistics, and cost.

Cost benefit considerations of preventing elderly falls through environmental modifications to homes in Hana, Maui.

The community of Hana, Hawai'i began a program of home modifications to help their elderly prevent falls. We estimated the cost benefit of these modifications from construction costs and published reports of effectiveness and cost of treating falls. We interviewed clients to determine risk of falling. The average cost of home modifications was $800. The average annual averted medical cost of falling was $1728.

An Economic Evaluation of Preventing Falls Using a New Exercise Program in Institutionalized Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Falls in the elderly represent a public health crisis. Effective prevention programs need to conduct economic analyses. The Move With Balance program showed a 65% reduction in falls in institutionalized elderly. METHODS: We evaluated the return on investment (ROI) of Move With Balance. We calculated the ROI for 2 situations: first, using data from the current study (N = 27); second, extrapolating the data to an "intended" annual program (N = 45) where training costs can be spread over 6 years. RESULTS: The program costs for the current study was $11,143. Based on an efficacy rate of 65%, we estimated that 13 falls were averted among the 21 participants in the treatment group. At a cost of $1440/fall, total averted cost of falls was $18,720. The ROI was 1.7:1 for a 10-week period. Program effects persisted for at least 6 months. Extrapolating the current program costs and fall rates to include classes for 45 people twice a year, the annual program costs would be $27,217. Total annual averted cost of falls would be $208,594. The annual ROI in this group would be 7.6:1. CONCLUSIONS: Move With Balance not only is efficacious in reducing falls in institutionalized elderly but also has a positive ROI.

Traveler's diarrhea in Thailand: randomized, double-blind trial comparing single-dose and 3-day azithromycin-based regimens with a 3-day levofloxacin regimen.

BACKGROUND: Traveler's diarrhea in Thailand is frequently caused by Campylobacter jejuni. Rates of fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance in Campylobacter organisms have exceeded 85% in recent years, and reduced fluoroquinolone efficacy has been observed. METHODS: Azithromycin regimens were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind trial of azithromycin, given as a single 1-g dose or a 3-day regimen (500 mg daily), versus a 3-day regimen of levofloxacin (500 mg daily) in military field clinics in Thailand. Outcomes included clinical end points (time to the last unformed stool [TLUS] and cure rates) and microbiological end points (pathogen eradication). RESULTS: A total of 156 patients with acute diarrhea were enrolled in the trial. Campylobacter organisms predominated (in 64% of patients), with levofloxacin resistance noted in 50% of Campylobacter organisms and with no azithromycin resistance noted. The cure rate at 72 h after treatment initiation was highest (96%) with single-dose azithromycin, compared with the cure rates of 85% noted with 3-day azithromycin and 71% noted with levofloxacin (P=.002). Single-dose azithromycin was also associated with the shortest median TLUS (35 h; P=.03, by log-rank test). Levofloxacin's efficacy was inferior to azithromycin's efficacy, except in patients with no pathogen identified during the first 24 h of treatment or in patients with levofloxacin-susceptible Campylobacter isolates, in whom it appeared to be equal to azithromycin. The rate of microbiological eradication was significantly better with azithromycin-based regimens (96%-100%), compared with levofloxacin (38%) (P=.001); however, this finding was poorly correlated with clinical outcome. A higher rate of posttreatment nausea in the 30 min after receipt of the first dose (14% vs. <6%; P=.06) was observed as a mild, self-limited complaint associated with single-dose azithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose azithromycin is recommended for empirical therapy of traveler's diarrhea acquired in Thailand and is a reasonable first-line option for empirical management in general.

Population pharmacokinetics of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin following intra-rectal dosing of artesunate in malaria patients.

BACKGROUND: Intra-rectal artesunate has been developed as a potentially life-saving treatment of severe malaria in rural village settings where administration of parenteral antimalarial drugs is not possible. We studied the population pharmacokinetics of intra-rectal artesunate and the relationship with parasitological responses in patients with moderately severe falciparum malaria. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Adults and children in Africa and Southeast Asia with moderately severe malaria were recruited in two Phase II studies (12 adults from Southeast Asia and 11 children from Africa) with intensive sampling protocols, and three Phase III studies (44 children from Southeast Asia, and 86 children and 26 adults from Africa) with sparse sampling. All patients received 10 mg/kg artesunate as a single intra-rectal dose of suppositories. Venous blood samples were taken during a period of 24 h following dosing. Plasma artesunate and dihydroartemisinin (DHA, the main biologically active metabolite) concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The pharmacokinetic properties of DHA were determined using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. Artesunate is rapidly hydrolysed in vivo to DHA, and this contributes the majority of antimalarial activity. For DHA, a one-compartment model assuming complete conversion from artesunate and first-order appearance and elimination kinetics gave the best fit to the data. The mean population estimate of apparent clearance (CL/F) was 2.64 (l/kg/h) with 66% inter-individual variability. The apparent volume of distribution (V/F) was 2.75 (l/kg) with 96% inter-individual variability. The estimated DHA population mean elimination half-life was 43 min. Gender was associated with increased mean CL/F by 1.14 (95% CI: 0.36-1.92) (l/kg/h) for a male compared with a female, and weight was positively associated with V/F. Larger V/Fs were observed for the patients requiring early rescue treatment compared with the remainder, independent of any confounders. No associations between the parasitological responses and the posterior individual estimates of V/F, CL/F, and AUC0-6h were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetic properties of DHA were affected only by gender and body weight. Patients with the lowest area under the DHA concentration curve did not have slower parasite clearance, suggesting that rectal artesunate is well absorbed in most patients with moderately severe malaria. However, a number of modelling assumptions were required due to the large intra- and inter-individual variability of the DHA concentrations.

Risk factors for infection during a dengue-1 outbreak in Maui, Hawaii, 2001.

Autochthonous dengue virus transmission, last identified in the state of Hawaii in 1945, was detected again in 2001. A seroepidemiological survey in a high-incidence community (Nahiku) and a nearby low-incidence community (Hana Subdivision) was implemented. The two communities studied differed in median household size (two vs. four persons), median lot size (2.8 vs. 0.8acres), proportion of households with mosquito larvae (81 vs. 28%) and incidence of recent infection (39% [28/72] vs. 1% [1/131]). The average number of reported anti-mosquito actions by residents of both locations remained low, and approximately 50% (42/80) of the inspected houses had larvae, evidencing the need for more effective community mosquito control. Logistic regression analysis of risk factors for infection in Nahiku identified residing in properties with birds in the house or yard as significantly associated with infection (odds ratio 7.0, 95% CI 1.7-28.5), probably as an indicator of unspecified environmental characteristics that were attractive to the vector. We documented that nearly 40% of Nahiku residents had acquired dengue locally in 2001 and that undetected dengue outbreaks had occurred in Hawaii. Our data suggest that ecological characteristics may help Hawaii health officials identify communities at increased risk of dengue infection.

A Pilot Dental Survey on Maui.

Routine dental screening surveys of third graders have proven to be a useful tool to monitor the dental health of a community, especially those of highest risk. In 2010 the PEW Charitable Trust (PEW) conducted state-by-state oral hygiene assessments, giving Hawai'i a poor grade, with routine dental surveys of children one of several criteria not met. The Maui Oral Health Task Force piloted its own survey for the island of Maui to assess the challenges in implementing a dental screening and to gain an understanding as to how obstacles might be addressed. Three issues were identified: technical (sampling methodology, data interpretation, and analysis), administrative (approvals of protocols, consent forms, and confidentiality), and operational (participation rates, dental referrals, and missing data of socio-economic status). These issues were relatively easy to resolve over the course of a few months due to the public's and providers' outcry over the negative findings of the PEW report. Two hundred and eighty-one students were surveyed, which represents 46% of the children whose forms were sent home for parental consent and approval. Of those returning the forms, 77% had parent's consent to participate. Based on our island survey, the estimated sample size and participation rate for the State of Hawai'i would be comparable to those of other states, which had met the PEW survey criteria. Comparative exploratory analysis between Maui and survey data from other states underscores the value of prevention in averting dental treatment.

Characterization of a community cluster of group a streptococcal invasive disease in Maui, Hawaii.

A community cluster of severe group A streptococcal skin infections occurred in Maui, Hawaii with 3 fatal cases of necrotizing fasciitis in 2002. emm types 1, 12, 58, 74, 85 and 109 were identified from 8 patients. emm types 74 and 109 have not been previously described in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention database. The identification of uncommon emm types suggested that group A streptococcal sero-types in Hawaii are different from those in the continental United States and can result in serious disease.

Epidemiology of malaria in a hypoendemic Brazilian Amazon migrant population: a cohort study.

The present study describes aspects of the epidemiology of malaria in a migrant population living in a hypoendemic area in Brazil using an open cohort study design. Rural settlement residents in Leonislândia, Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso, Brazil were followed from September 1996 to April 1997. At baseline, an interview and malaria diagnoses were carried out and spleen size was measured. Incident cases were detected through follow-up visits and laboratory records. Cox regression was used to assess risk factors for time to malaria onset. Eighty percent (n = 414) of the study population (n = 521) contributed follow-up data. Overall, malaria prevalence during any study visit ranged from 0.3% to 5.4% and the malaria incidence rate (IR) was 4.49 (95% confidence interval = 3.66, 5.46) per 100 person-months. The IR of Plasmodium vivax malaria was approximately four times higher than the IR for P. falciparum malaria during follow-up. Among individuals who had had malaria during his or her lifetime, 14.03% reported hospitalization (median duration = 3 days) and 70.1% reported days of work lost (median duration = 4 days for P. falciparum malaria and 3 days for P. vivax malaria) related to the last malaria episode. No important risk factor was associated with the malaria IR. The fact that neither work-related factors nor age was associated with the risk of malaria indicates that indoor/peri-domiciliary transmission by the local vector is more important or as important as workplace-related transmission.

Failure of national guidelines to diagnose uncomplicated malaria in Bangladesh.

During the mid 1990s, national guidelines were established in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations for the diagnosis of uncomplicated malaria in Bangladesh. Based on simple clinical and epidemiologic criteria these guidelines were designed to be applied outside of tertiary care centers where microscopy was not feasible. We evaluated the positive predictive value (PPV) of these criteria using microscopic slide examinations as the gold standard in 684 subjects diagnosed and treated for malaria, sampling from eight subdistrict centers. The PPV for malaria was 32% with 19% for falciparum and 14% for Plasmodium vivax. Medical officers assigned to the study also gave their own clinical impression of whether cases could have been malaria. With the additional criteria of a medical officers' diagnosis, the PPV increased negligibly to 37% with 23% and 14% for falciparum and vivax, respectively. Since the PPV of diagnosis is low and cannot be improved on clinical grounds alone, we recommend the incorporation of laboratory diagnosis. This is especially important as we detect resistance to the first-line therapy chloroquine and require more expensive, potentially more toxic, regimens.

Proguanil plus sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

In a malaria endemic area of Brazil where P. falciparum is highly resistant to chloroquine and Fansidar, we conducted an in vivo study to evaluate the therapeutic response of proguanil plus sulfametoxazole against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Twenty-five adult subjects with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria received supervised drug administration and were followed for 28 days in an inpatient hospital or in a malaria free-transmission area. The therapeutic regimen was proguanil 100 mg BID plus sulfamethoxazole 1,000 mg BID for 7 days. Of those who took all medications (n=21), 17 (81%) were cured. Recrudescent parasitemia during follow-up occurred in four (19%) patients on days 14, 19, 20 and 21 after beginning of treatment. The remaining four (16%) subjects did not complete their therapeutic regimen because the incidence of side effects. Considering the shortage of falciparum malaria therapeutic options and the urgent need for new regimens to deal with the spread of drug resistant P. falciparum, one might consider the study results as a lead to study analogous compounds, hopefully with fewer adverse reactions.

[Internal validity of clinical trials for Plasmodium vivax malaria treatment: analysis of evaluation study of in vivo Plasmodium vivax emergence of resistance to standard doses of primaquine]. / Validade interna de ensaios terapêuticos em malária: análise de estudos de avaliação da emergência de resistência in vivo do Plasmodium vivax a doses padronizadas de primaquina.

Parasite resistance can be defined as the ability of a parasite strain to survive and/or to multiply despite the administration and absorption of a drug given in doses equal or higher than those usually recommended, but within the limits of tolerance of the patients. Therefore, the ideal study design to be used to monitor emergence of parasite resistance would use historical controls or any valid baseline data. Moreover, it is desirable to have some control of remaining determinants of therapeutic failure, not related to biological parasite resistance, which could vary over time and would have potential to distort the analysis for detecting emergence of parasite resistance. Here we comment on the internal validity of studies, which aim to assess the in vivo Plasmodium vivax emergence of resistance to standard doses of primaquine used routinely by health services. Few studies have paid attention to the need to control for other determinant factors of therapeutic failures or made any attempt to compare current findings with cure failure rates of historical controls from a given geographical area. Therefore, attention to the internal validity (and limitations) of study conclusions in these types of study is strongly advised.

Effects of Upcountry Maui water additives on health.

Since 2001 Upcountry Maui residents have been concerned that water additives may be linked to health problems in their community. A study using phone surveys was conducted to assess this issue. Most people suffered skin rashes, while others experienced eye irritations or respiratory problems. The surveys suggested that these symptoms might have been attributable to the water additives.

The changing distribution of malaria in the Brazilian Amazon, 2003-2004 and 2008-2009.

INTRODUCTION: More than half of the malaria cases reported in the Americas are from the Brazilian Amazon region. While malaria is considered endemic in this region, its geographical distribution is extremely heterogeneous. Therefore, it is important to investigate the distribution of malaria and to determine regions whereby action might be necessary. METHODS: Changes in malaria indicators in all municipalities of the Brazilian Amazon between 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 were studied. The malaria indicators included the absolute number of malaria cases and deaths, the bi-annual parasite incidence (BPI), BPI ratios and differences, a Lorenz curve and Gini coefficients. RESULTS: During the study period, mortality from malaria remained low (0.02% deaths/case), the percent of municipalities that became malaria-free increased from 15.6% to 31.7%, and the Gini coefficient increased from 82% to 87%. In 2003, 10% of the municipalities with the highest BPI accumulated 67% of all malaria cases, compared with 2009, when 10% of the municipalities (with the highest BPI) had 80% of the malaria cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study described an overall decrease in malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon region. As expected, an increased heterogeneity of malaria indicators was found, which reinforces the notion that a single strategy may not bring about uniformly good outcomes. The geographic clustering of municipalities identified as problem areas might help to define better intervention methods.