Toward the Adoption of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Salmonella Screening at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System's Retail Meat Sites.

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) is a One Health program in the United States that collects data on antimicrobial resistance in enteric bacteria from humans, animals, and the environment. Salmonella is a major pathogen tracked by the NARMS retail meat arm but currently lacks a uniform screening method. We evaluated a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid screening of Salmonella from 69 NARMS retail meat and poultry samples. All samples were processed side by side for culture isolation using two protocols, one from NARMS and the other one described in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM). Overall, 10 (14.5%) samples screened positive by the Salmonella LAMP assay. Of those, six were culture-confirmed by the NARMS protocol and six by the BAM method with overlap on four samples. No Salmonella isolates were recovered from samples that screened negative with LAMP. These results suggested 100% sensitivity for LAMP in reference to culture. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing analysis confirmed identities of these isolates. Using the BAM protocol, all Salmonella isolates were recovered from samples undergoing Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium selective enrichment and presumptive colonies (n = 130) were dominated by Hafnia alvei (44.6%), Proteus mirabilis (22.3%), and Morganella morganii (9.9%) based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This method comparison study clearly demonstrated the benefit of a rapid, robust, and highly sensitive molecular screening method in streamlining the laboratory workflow. Fourteen NARMS retail meat sites further verified the performance of this assay using a portion of their routine samples, reporting an overall specificity of 98.8% and sensitivity of 90%. As of July 2022, the vast majority of NARMS retail meat sites have adopted the Salmonella LAMP assay for rapid screening of Salmonella in all samples.

Cancer Progression Is Linked to Increased Risk of Death Within 30 Days of COVID-19 Diagnosis.

Disease progression and treatment with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin ere associated with increased all-cause 30-day mortality in patients with cancer compared with patients either in remission or with no evidence of disease, according to data presented during a 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology Virtual Scientific Program press briefing.

Extended-Release Naltrexone to Prevent Opioid Relapse in Criminal Justice Offenders.

BACKGROUND: Extended-release naltrexone, a sustained-release monthly injectable formulation of the full mu-opioid receptor antagonist, is effective for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence. Data supporting its effectiveness in U.S. criminal justice populations are limited. METHODS: In this five-site, open-label, randomized trial, we compared a 24-week course of extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol) with usual treatment, consisting of brief counseling and referrals for community treatment programs, for the prevention of opioid relapse among adult criminal justice offenders (i.e., persons involved in the U.S. criminal justice system) who had a history of opioid dependence and a preference for opioid-free rather than opioid maintenance treatments and who were abstinent from opioids at the time of randomization. The primary outcome was the time to an opioid-relapse event, which was defined as 10 or more days of opioid use in a 28-day period as assessed by self-report or by testing of urine samples obtained every 2 weeks; a positive or missing sample was computed as 5 days of opioid use. Post-treatment follow-up occurred at weeks 27, 52, and 78. RESULTS: A total of 153 participants were assigned to extended-release naltrexone and 155 to usual treatment. During the 24-week treatment phase, participants assigned to extended-release naltrexone had a longer median time to relapse than did those assigned to usual treatment (10.5 vs. 5.0 weeks, P<0.001; hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36 to 0.68), a lower rate of relapse (43% vs. 64% of participants, P<0.001; odds ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.65), and a higher rate of opioid-negative urine samples (74% vs. 56%, P<0.001; odds ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.48 to 3.54). At week 78 (approximately 1 year after the end of the treatment phase), rates of opioid-negative urine samples were equal (46% in each group, P=0.91). The rates of other prespecified secondary outcome measures--self-reported cocaine, alcohol, and intravenous drug use, unsafe sex, and reincarceration--were not significantly lower with extended-release naltrexone than with usual treatment. Over the total 78 weeks observed, there were no overdose events in the extended-release naltrexone group and seven in the usual-treatment group (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this trial involving criminal justice offenders, extended-release naltrexone was associated with a rate of opioid relapse that was lower than that with usual treatment. Opioid-use prevention effects waned after treatment discontinuation. (Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00781898.).

Bacterial community analysis of marine recirculating aquaculture system bioreactors for complete nitrogen removal established from a commercial inoculum.

An experimental recirculating aquaculture system was constructed under ambient seawater conditions to compare microbial community diversity of nitrifying and denitrifying biofilters that were derived from a commercial inoculum used for aquarium applications. Next generation sequencing revealed distinct and diverse microbial communities in samples analyzed from the commercial inoculant and the denitrification and nitrification biofilters. In all samples, communities were represented by a few dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Bacteria having the capacity to carry out ammonia and nitrite oxidation were more abundant in the nitrification biofilter. Similarly, the proportion of the bacterial taxa known to carry out heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification and participate in sulfur cycling were found in the denitrification bioreactor, and likely originated from the ambient environmental water source. Our results indicated that environmental seawater can be a favorable enhancement to the bacterial consortium of recirculating aquaculture systems biofilters.

Detection of enterovirus D68 in Canadian laboratories.

The recent emergence of a severe respiratory disease caused by enterovirus D68 prompted investigation into whether Canadian hospital and provincial laboratories can detect this virus using commercial and laboratory-developed assays. This study demonstrated analytical sensitivity differences between commercial and laboratory-developed assays for the detection of enterovirus D68.

Surgical transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine at cesarean: a pilot randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Postcesarean pain control is challenging. In addition to intrathecal morphine, recent studies have shown that liposomal bupivacaine administered via conventional transversus abdominis plane block reduces postcesarean opioid use. However, whether the administration of liposomal bupivacaine via a surgical approach also reduces opioid use is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the administration of liposomal bupivacaine via surgical transversus abdominis plane block (TAP block) reduces the cumulative dose of opioids administered in the first 48 hours after cesarean delivery among participants who also receive intrathecal morphine. STUDY DESIGN: This was a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial of 60 parturients undergoing cesarean delivery at a community tertiary referral hospital staffed by academic physicians. Immediately before fascial closure during cesarean delivery, a total of 80 mL of dilute bupivacaine plus liposomal bupivacaine or dilute bupivacaine alone was administered via surgical transversus abdominis plane block (40 mL on each side). The primary outcome was a median cumulative opioid dose received within the first 48 hours after cesarean delivery measured in morphine milligram equivalents. In addition, opioid use at other time points, pain scores, and participant satisfaction were assessed. A sample size of 60 was determined to be adequate to inform a potential future adequately powered randomized trial. The primary outcome of morphine milligram equivalents and pain scores were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: Between October 11, 2021, and August 29, 2022, 60 participants were randomized and analyzed: 31 were allocated to liposomal bupivacaine plus regular bupivacaine (intervention group), and 29 were allocated to regular bupivacaine alone (control group). Participants allocated to the intervention group used a median cumulative dose of 2 morphine milligram equivalents of opioids (interquartile range, 0-24) in the first 48 hours compared with 8 morphine milligram equivalents (interquartile range, 0-40) among participants allocated to the control group (P=.236). The percentage of participants who used ≤15 morphine milligram equivalents of opioids was 61% in the intervention arm and 41% in the control arm (P=.123), and the percentage who used zero opioids was 45% in the intervention arm and 34% in the control arm (P=.399). The total number of opioid pills prescribed at discharge was fewer in the intervention arm than in the control arm (P=.029). Patient satisfaction with the intervention group and control group was similar. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study suggests that liposomal bupivacaine administered via surgical transversus abdominis plane block is worth critical evaluation as an adjunctive analgesic modality in an adequately powered randomized trial.

Jail-based medication for opioid use disorder and patterns of reincarceration and acute care use after release: A sequence analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with methadone and buprenorphine medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during incarceration may lead to better community re-entry, but evidence on these relationships have been mixed. We aimed to identify community re-entry patterns and examine the association between in-jail MOUD and a pattern of successful reentry defined by rare occurrence of reincarceration and preventable healthcare utilization. METHODS: Data came from a retrospective, observational cohort study of 6066 adults with opioid use disorder who were incarcerated in New York City jails and released to the community during 2011-14. An outcome was community re-entry patterns identified by sequence analysis of 3-year post-release reincarceration, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. An exposure was receipt of in-jail MOUD versus out-of-treatment (42 % vs. 58 %) for the last 3 days before discharge. The study accounted for differences in baseline demographic, clinical, behavioral, housing, and criminal legal characteristics between in-jail MOUD and out-of-treatment groups via propensity score matching. RESULTS: This study identified five re-entry patterns: stability (64 %), hospitalization (23 %), delayed reincarceration (7 %), immediate reincarceration (4 %), and continuous incarceration (2 %). After addressing confounding, 64 % and 57 % followed the stability pattern among MOUD and out-of-treatment groups who were released from jail in 2011, respectively. In 2012-14, the prevalence of following the stability pattern increased year-by-year while a consistently higher prevalence was observed among those with in-jail MOUD. CONCLUSIONS: Sequence analysis helped define post-release stability based on health and criminal legal system involvement. Receipt of in-jail MOUD was associated with a marker of successful community re-entry.

Assessing the impact of jail-initiated medication for opioid use disorder: A multisite analysis of the SOMATICS collaborative.

The objective of this study was to estimate the associations of jail-initiated medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and patient navigation (PN) with opioid use disorder (OUD) at 6 months post-release. Three randomized trials (combined N = 330) were combined to assess whether MOUD (extended-release naltrexone or interim methadone) initiated prior to release from jail with or without PN would reduce the likelihood of a DSM-5 diagnosis of OUD 6 months post-release relative to enhanced treatment-as-usual (ETAU). Across the three studies, assignment to MOUD compared to ETAU was not associated with an OUD diagnosis at 6 months post-release (69% vs. 75%, respectively, OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.42 to 1.20). Similarly, PN compared to MOUD without PN was not associated with an OUD diagnosis (63% vs 77%, respectively, OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.53). Results underscore the need to further optimize the effectiveness of MOUD for patients initiating treatment in jail, beginning with an emphasis on post-release treatment adherence.

Impact of jail-based methadone or buprenorphine treatment on non-fatal opioid overdose after incarceration.

BACKGROUND: Non-fatal overdose is a leading predictor of subsequent fatal overdose. For individuals who are incarcerated, the risk of experiencing an overdose is highest when transitioning from a correctional setting to the community. We assessed if enrollment in jail-based medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is associated with lower risk of non-fatal opioid overdoses after jail release among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of adults with OUD who were incarcerated in New York City jails and received MOUD or did not receive any MOUD (out-of-treatment) within the last three days before release to the community in 2011-2017. The outcome was the first non-fatal opioid overdose emergency department (ED) visit within 1 year of jail release during 2011-2017. Covariates included demographic, clinical, incarceration-related, and other characteristics. We performed multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to compare the risk of non-fatal opioid overdose ED visits within 1 year after jail release between groups. RESULTS: MOUD group included 8660 individuals with 17,119 incarcerations; out-of-treatment group included 10,163 individuals with 14,263 incarcerations. Controlling for covariates and accounting for competing risks, in-jail MOUD was associated with lower non-fatal opioid overdose risk within 14 days after jail release (adjusted HR=0.49, 95% confidence interval=0.33-0.74). We found no significant differences 15-28, 29-56, or 57-365 days post-release. CONCLUSION: MOUD group had lower risk of non-fatal opioid overdose immediately after jail release. Wider implementation of MOUD in US jails could potentially reduce post-release overdoses, ED utilization, and associated healthcare costs.

Transitions of care between jail-based medications for opioid use disorder and ongoing treatment in the community: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Offering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in carceral settings significantly reduces overdose. However, it is unknown to what extent individuals in jails continue MOUD once they leave incarceration. We aimed to assess the relationship between in-jail MOUD and MOUD continuity in the month following release. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of linked NYC jail-based electronic health records and community Medicaid OUD treatment claims for individuals with OUD discharged from jail between 2011 and 2017. We compared receipt of MOUD within 30 days of release, among those with and without MOUD at release from jail. We tested for effect modification based on MOUD receipt prior to incarceration and assessed factors associated with treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: Of 28,298 eligible incarcerations, 52.8 % received MOUD at release. 30 % of incarcerations with MOUD at release received community-based MOUD within 30 days, compared to 7 % of incarcerations without MOUD (Risk Ratio: 2.62 (2.44-2.82)). Most (69 %) with MOUD claims prior to incarceration who received in-jail MOUD continued treatment in the community, compared to 9 % of those without prior MOUD. Those who received methadone (vs. buprenorphine), were younger, Non-Hispanic Black and with no history of MOUD were less likely to continue MOUD following release. CONCLUSIONS: MOUD maintenance in jail is strongly associated with MOUD continuity upon release. Still, findings highlight a gap in treatment continuity upon-reentry, especially among those who initiate MOUD in jail. In the wake of worsening overdose deaths and troubling disparities, improving MOUD continuity among this population remains an urgent priority.

Physcomitrium patens (Hedw.) Mitt. growing in the dark defaults to an auxin- and cytokinin-independent developmental programme.

Auxin and cytokinin partially restore Physcomitrium (formerly Physcomitrella ) patens gametophores that have developed in the dark to a form more typical of those grown in light. Auxin synthesis and/or transport in gametophores decrease with time spent in the dark. Auxin synthesis resumes in the apices of dark-grown gametophores upon their return to the light. Red light and to a lesser extent blue light are sufficient for this. The mas and GH3 promoters are both auxin-inducible but respond differentially to spatial cues.

Association between jail-based methadone or buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder and overdose mortality after release from New York City jails 2011-17.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death during the immediate time after release from jail or prison. Most jails in the United States do not provide methadone and buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and research in estimating its impact in jail settings is limited. We aimed to test the hypothesis that in-jail MOUD is associated with lower overdose mortality risk post-release. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective, observational cohort study of 15 797 adults with opioid use disorder who were released from New York City jails to the community in 2011-2017. They experienced 31 382 incarcerations and were followed up to 1 year. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes were death caused by accidental drug poisoning and all-cause death. The exposure was receipt of MOUD (17 119 events) versus out-of-treatment (14 263 events) during the last 3 days before community re-entry. Covariates included demographic, clinical, behavioral, housing, health-care utilization and legal characteristics variables. We performed a multivariable, mixed-effect Cox regression analysis to test association between in-jail MOUD and deaths. FINDINGS: The majority were male (82%) and their average age was 42 years. Receiving MOUD was associated with misdemeanor charges, being female, injection drug use and homelessness. During 1 year post-release, 111 overdose deaths occurred and crude death rates were 0.49 and 0.83 per 100 person-years for in-jail MOUD and out-of-treatment groups, respectively. Accounting for confounding and random effects, in-jail MOUD was associated with lower overdose mortality risk [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.08-0.46] and all-cause mortality risk (aHR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.11-0.42) for the first month post-release. CONCLUSIONS: Methadone and buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder during incarceration was associated with an 80% reduction in overdose mortality risk for the first month post-release.

whole-genome sequence of livestock-associated st398 methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Humans in Canada.

Despite reports of high colonization rates of ST398 livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) among pigs and pig farmers, the incidence of LA-MRSA infection in the general population in Canada appears to be rare in comparison to that in some European countries. In this study, the complete genome sequence of a Canadian representative LA-MRSA isolate (08BA02176) from a human postoperative surgical site infection was acquired and compared to the sequenced genome of an LA-MRSA isolate (S0385) from Europe to identify genetic traits that may explain differences in the success of these particular strains in some locales.

Community-based educational intervention to limit the dissemination of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance examining the incidence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was conducted over 8 years beginning in 2001 in three health regions covering the northern half of Saskatchewan. The annual rate of individuals reported with CA-MRSA infection in these regions dramatically increased from 8.2 per 10,000 population in 2001 (range to 4.4-10.1 per 10,000) to 168.1 per 10,000 in 2006 (range 43.4-230.9 per 10,000). To address this issue, a team of community members, healthcare professionals, educators and research scientists formed a team called "the Northern Antibiotic Resistance Partnership" (NARP) to develop physician, patient, community, and school based educational materials in an attempt to limit the spread of CA-MRSA. METHODS: Posters, radio broadcasts, community slide presentations, physician treatment algorithms, patient pamphlets, and school educational programs Do Bugs Need Drugs http://www.dobugsneeddrugs.org and Germs Away http://www.germsaway.ca were provided to targeted northern communities experiencing high rates of infections. RESULTS: Following implementation of this program, the rates of MRSA infections in the targeted communities have decreased nearly two-fold (242.8 to 129.3 infections/10,000 population) from 2006 to 2008. Through pre-and post-educational intervention surveys, this decrease in MRSA infections coincided with an increase in knowledge related to appropriate antimicrobial usage and hand washing in these communities. CONCLUSION: These educational materials are all freely available http://www.narp.ca and will hopefully aid in increasing awareness of the importance of proper antimicrobial usage and hygiene in diminishing the spread of S. aureus and other infectious diseases in other communities.

Versatility of a Salmonella Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay Using Multiple Platforms and Master Mixes in Animal Food Matrices.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in Salmonella detection methods greatly enhances the efficiency of various food testing programs. A Salmonella loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has been validated in animal food through multi-laboratory validation. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to demonstrate the versatility of this molecular assay while expanding it to multiple platforms and various reagent choices for use in animal food testing. METHODS: Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s Guidelines for the Validation of Analytical Methods for the Detection of Microbial Pathogens in Foods and Feeds, we examined the inclusivity, exclusivity, and LOD of the assay using two platforms (7500 Fast and Genie II) and three LAMP master mixes (GspSSD, GspSSD2.0, and WarmStart) in seven animal food matrixes (dry cat food, dry dog food, cattle feed, dairy feed, horse feed, poultry feed, and swine feed). The FDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Salmonella culture method was the reference method. RESULTS: Inclusivity and exclusivity data were consistent among all six platform and master mix combinations with a few exceptions. Comparable LODs were observed down to the single-cell level (WarmStart was 10-fold less sensitive). Performance was similar to the BAM method for detecting fractional positive results in seven animal food matrixes. Nonetheless, LAMP time to positive results and annealing/melting temperature differed among master mixes and platforms. CONCLUSION: The Salmonella LAMP assay was successfully validated in two platforms and three master mixes, making it a flexible tool for use by the FDA's field laboratories in regulatory testing of animal food and for adoption by other food testing programs. HIGHLIGHTS: We demonstrated the LAMP assay's versatility on two platforms and three master mixes for the rapid and reliable screening of Salmonella in seven animal food matrixes. GspSSD2.0 was the fastest master mix (time to positive results as early as 3.5 min) while Genie II had several attractive features from a user perspective.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatments: An Evidence Map.

BACKGROUND: Evidence maps are emerging data visualization of a systematic review. There are no published evidence maps summarizing opioid use disorder (OUD) interventions. AIM: Our aim was to publish an interactive summary of all peer-reviewed interventional and observational trials assessing the treatment of OUD and common clinical outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and Web of Science were queried using multiple OUD-related MESH terms, without date limitations, for English-language publications. Inclusions were human subjects, treatment of OUD, OUD patient or community-level outcomes, and systematic reviews of OUD interventions. Exclusions were laboratory studies, reviews, and case reports. Two reviewers independently scanned abstracts for inclusion before coding eligible full-text articles by pre-specified filters: research design, study population, study setting, intervention, outcomes, sample size, study duration, geographical region, and funding sources. RESULTS: The OUD Evidence Map (https://med.nyu.edu/research/lee-lab/research/opioid-use-disorder-treatment-evidence-map) identified and assessed 12,933 relevant abstracts through 2020. We excluded 9455 abstracts and full text reviewed 2839 manuscripts; 888 were excluded, 1591 were included in the final evidence map. The most studied OUD interventions were methadone (n = 754 studies), buprenorphine (n = 499), and naltrexone (n = 134). The most common outcomes were heroin/opioid use (n = 708), treatment retention (n = 557), and non-opioid drug use (n = 368). Clear gaps included a wider array of opioid agonists for treatment, digital behavioral interventions, studies of OUD treatments in criminal justice settings, and overdose as a clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: This OUD Evidence Map highlights the importance of pharmacologic interventions for OUD and reductions in opioid use. Future iterations will update results annually and scan policy-level interventions.

Translational feasibility and efficacy of nasal photodynamic disinfection of SARS-CoV-2.

The lack of therapeutic options to fight Covid-19 has contributed to the current global pandemic. Despite the emergence of effective vaccines, development of broad-spectrum antiviral treatment remains a significant challenge, in which antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) may play a role, especially at early stages of infection. aPDT of the nares with methylene blue (MB) and non-thermal light has been successfully utilized to inactivate both bacterial and viral pathogens in the perioperative setting. Here, we investigated the effect of MB-aPDT to inactivate human betacoronavirus OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in a proof-of-principle COVID-19 clinical trial to test, in a variety of settings, the practicality, technical feasibility, and short-term efficacy of the method. aPDT yielded inactivation of up to 6-Logs in vitro, as measured by RT-qPCR and infectivity assay. From a photo-physics perspective, the in vitro results suggest that the response is not dependent on the virus itself, motivating potential use of aPDT for local destruction of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In the clinical trial we observed variable effects on viral RNA in nasal-swab samples as assessed by RT-qPCR attributed to aPDT-induced RNA fragmentation causing falsely-elevated counts. However, the viral infectivity in clinical nares swabs was reduced in 90% of samples and undetectable in 70% of samples. This is the first demonstration based on quantitative clinical viral infectivity measurements that MB-aPDT is a safe, easily delivered and effective front-line technique that can reduce local SARS-CoV-2 viral load.

Perceptions and experiences toward extended-release buprenorphine among persons leaving jail with opioid use disorders before and during COVID-19: an in-depth qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Extended-release buprenorphine (XRB) offers a novel approach to sustained monthly treatment for people who use opioids in criminal justice settings (CJS). This study explores the experiences of adults receiving XRB as a jail-to-community treatment. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted among adult participants with opioid use disorder (OUD; n = 16) who were recently released from NYC jails and maintained on XRB after switching from daily sublingual buprenorphine (SLB). Interviews elaborated on the acceptability and barriers and facilitators of XRB treatment pre- and post-release. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for content related to factors influencing XRB treatment uptake and community reentry. Important themes were grouped into systems, medication, and patient-level factors. Key systems-level factors influencing initiation of XRB in jail included an alternative to perceived stigmatization and privacy concerns associated with daily in-jail SLB administration and less concerns with buprenorphine diversion. In-jail peer networks positively influenced participant adoption of XRB. XRB satisfaction was attributed to reduced in-jail clinic and medication administration visits, perceived efficacy and blockade effects upon the use of heroin/fentanyl following release, and averting the risk of criminal activities to fund opioid use. Barriers to retention included post-injection withdrawal symptoms and cravings attributed to perceived suboptimal medication dosing, injection site pain, and lack of in-jail provider information about the medication. CONCLUSION: Participants were generally favorable to XRB initiation in jail and retention post-release. Further studies are needed to address factors influencing access to XRB in criminal justice settings, including stigma, ensuring patient privacy following initiation on XRB, and patient-, provider-, and correctional staff education pertaining to XRB. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identified: NCT03604159.

The impact of COVID-19 on the treatment of opioid use disorder in carceral facilities: a cross-sectional study.

While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery everywhere, persons with carceral system involvement and opioid use disorder (OUD) were disproportionately impacted and vulnerable to severe COVID-associated illness. Carceral settings and community treatment programs (CTPs) rapidly developed protocols to sustain healthcare delivery while reducing risk of COVID-19 transmission. This survey study assessed changes to OUD treatment, telemedicine use, and re-entry support services among carceral and CTPs participating in the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded study, Long-Acting Buprenorphine vs. Naltrexone Opioid Treatments in Criminal Justice System-Involved Adults (EXIT-CJS) study. In December 2020, carceral sites (n = 6; median pre-COVID 2020 monthly census = 3468 people) and CTPs (n = 7; median pre-COVID 2020 monthly census = 550 patients) participating in EXIT-CJS completed a cross-sectional web-based survey. The survey assessed changes pre- (January-March 2020) and post- (April-September 2020) COVID-19 in OUD treatment, telemedicine use, re-entry supports and referral practices. Compared to January-March 2020, half of carceral sites (n = 3) increased the total number of persons initiating medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) from April-September 2020, while a third (n = 2) decreased the number of persons initiated. Most CTPs (n = 4) reported a decrease in the number of new admissions from April-September 2020, with two programs stopping or pausing MOUD programs due to COVID-19. All carceral sites with pre-COVID telemedicine use (n = 5) increased or maintained telemedicine use, and all CTPs providing MOUD (n = 6) increased telemedicine use. While expansion of telemedicine services supported MOUD service delivery, the majority of sites experienced challenges providing community support post-release, including referrals to housing, employment, and transportation services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this small sample of carceral and CTP sites innovated to continue delivery of treatment for OUD. Expansion of telemedicine services was critical to support MOUD service delivery. Despite these innovations, sites experienced challenges providing reintegration supports for persons in the community. Pre-COVID strategies for identifying and engaging individuals while incarcerated may be less effective since the pandemic. In addition to expanding research on the most effective telemedicine practices for carceral settings, research exploring strategies to expand housing and employment support during reintegration are critical.

Immunogenicity of convalescent and vaccinated sera against clinical isolates of ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern (VOC) has evolved multiple mutations within the spike protein, raising concerns of increased antibody evasion. In this study, we assessed the neutralization potential of COVID-19 convalescent sera and sera from vaccinated individuals against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs. Methods: The neutralizing activity of sera from 65 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine recipients and convalescent individuals against clinical isolates of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and Beta, Delta, and Omicron VOCs was assessed using a micro-neutralization assay. Findings: Convalescent sera from unvaccinated individuals infected by the ancestral virus demonstrated reduced neutralization against Beta and Omicron VOCs. Sera from individuals that received three doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines demonstrated reduced neutralization of the Omicron variant relative to ancestral SARS-CoV-2. Sera from individuals that were naturally infected with ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine induced significantly higher neutralizing antibody levels against ancestral virus and all VOCs. Infection alone, either with ancestral SARS-CoV-2 or the Delta variant, was not sufficient to induce high neutralizing antibody titers against Omicron. Conclusions: In summary, we demonstrate that convalescent and vaccinated sera display varying levels of SARS-CoV-2 VOC neutralization. Data from this study will inform booster vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Funding: This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). VIDO receives operational funding from the Government of Saskatchewan through Innovation Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Agriculture and from the Canada Foundation for Innovation through the Major Science Initiatives for its CL3 facility.