Variation over Time in Child and Neighborhood Characteristics Associated with COVID-19.

Introduction: To examine the associations between child and neighborhood characteristics and incidence of COVID-19 infection during the first 19 months of the pandemic. Study Design: We utilized individual electronic health record data and corresponding census tract characteristics for pediatric SARS-CoV-2 cases (age <18 years) from March 23, 2020 to September 30, 2021 with molecular tests resulted at a children's health system in Colorado. We compared associations between individual SARS-CoV-2 cases and census tract SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates over three time periods (TP1: March-September 2020; TP2: October 2020-March 2021; TP3: April-September 2021) using multinomial logistic regression for individual associations and negative binomial regression for census tract associations. Results: We included 7498 pediatric SARS-CoV-2 cases and data from 711 corresponding census tracts. Spanish preferred health care language was associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity for TP1 (odds ratio [OR] 4.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-6.5) and TP2 (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.6-2.6) compared with TP3. Other non-English preferred health care language was associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity in TP1 (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.2). Increasing percentage internationally born in a census tract was associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity for TP1 (multivariable incident rate ratio [IRR]=1.040, p<0.0001), TP2 (multivariable IRR=1.028, p<0.0001), and in all TP combined (multivariable IRR=1.024, p<0.0001). Discussion: Our study is notable for the identification of COVID-19 disparities among children in immigrant families and communities, particularly early in the pandemic. Addressing disparities for immigrant communities requires targeted investments in public health infrastructure.

The Emergence of Zoonotic Onchocerca lupi Infection in the United States--A Case-Series.

This case-series describes the 6 human infections with Onchocerca lupi, a parasite known to infect cats and dogs, that have been identified in the United States since 2013. Unlike cases reported outside the country, the American patients have not had subconjunctival nodules but have manifested more invasive disease (eg, spinal, orbital, and subdermal nodules). Diagnosis remains challenging in the absence of a serologic test. Treatment should be guided by what is done for Onchocerca volvulus as there are no data for O. lupi. Available evidence suggests that there may be transmission in southwestern United States, but the risk of transmission to humans is not known. Research is needed to better define the burden of disease in the United States and develop appropriately-targeted prevention strategies.