The Association Among Clinical Profiles, Modifiers, and Prolonged Recovery in Adolescents With Sport-Related Concussion.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes were to (1) describe the prevalence of clinical profiles and modifiers, (2) examine the association between clinical profiles and prolonged recovery, and (3) examine the interaction between clinical profiles and modifiers and prolonged recovery in adolescents with sport-related concussion (SRC). DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional. SETTING: Interdisciplinary specialty sports concussion clinic. PATIENTS: Patients (n = 299) aged 12 to 19 years who were diagnosed with SRC within 30 days of injury. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Clinical profiles and modifiers were decided by the clinical judgment of the clinical neuropsychologist and sports medicine physician, using data from the Clinical Profile Screen and information gathered from the clinical interview, neurocognitive, and vestibular and ocular motor testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prolonged recovery was defined as ≥28 days from the date of injury to the date of clearance. RESULTS: The most common clinical profiles were migraine (34.8%) and cognitive-fatigue (23.4%). There were no significant relationships between clinical profiles and prolonged recovery (Wald = 5.89, df = 4, P = 0.21). The presence of a modifier did not significantly affect the relationship between clinical profiles and prolonged recovery ( = 6.5, df = 5, P = 0.26). The presence of any modifier yielded a 10-day increase in median recovery time within the cognitive/fatigue clinical profile (Wilcoxon rank-sum = 268.5, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with a clinical profile and modifier may not experience prolonged recovery, they may experience longer recovery time than patients with a clinical profile and no modifier.

In-Person Versus Telehealth for Concussion Clinical Care in Adolescents: A Pilot Study of Therapeutic Alliance and Patient Satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a pilot study of caregiver ratings of therapeutic alliance and patient satisfaction outcomes between telehealth and in-person concussion clinical care in male and female adolescent athletes. SETTING: Outpatient neuropsychology concussion clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients (aged 15.40 ± 1.35 years; 33% female) with a concussion and their accompanying caregivers ( n = 15; 87% female) were randomly assigned to an in-person clinic visit and 15 patients (aged 15.13 ± 1.25 years; 40% female) with a concussion and their accompanying caregivers ( n = 15; 73% female) were randomly assigned to a telehealth clinic visit. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized design. MAIN MEASURES: Therapeutic alliance and patient satisfaction scores. RESULTS: Therapeutic alliance scores were not significantly different for patients in the in-person or telehealth setting, and caregiver therapeutic alliance scores were significantly higher for the in-person condition than for the telehealth condition. There were no significant differences between in-person and telehealth session satisfaction scores for patients on depth, smoothness, positivity, arousal, and bad-good outcomes. Patient and caregiver satisfaction with the clinical setting was high (ie, General Endorsement). CONCLUSION: Telehealth is feasible for assessing and interpreting clinical concussion examination, interview, and neurocognitive findings, which are perceived by patients and their caregivers to be comparable with in-person care. Positive satisfaction scores also serve to reinforce the need for healthcare providers to seek ways to actively engage with patients and their caregivers through elements of communicative skills such as active listening, building patient rapport, encouraging patient autonomy, and providing an adequate amount of time for interaction and questions. Telehealth for concussion care is increasing in implementation across health systems, and demand is likely to grow in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and advances in telehealth delivery.

The Emerging Role of Telehealth for Concussion Clinical Care During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially altered the delivery of healthcare for providers and their patients. Patients have been reticent to seek care for many diseases and injuries including concussion due to fears of potential exposure to COVID-19. Moreover, because of social distancing recommendations and stay-at-home orders, patient screening, evaluation, and delivery of care have become less efficient or impossible to perform via in-person clinic visits. Consequently, there was a sudden need to shift healthcare delivery from primarily in-person visits to telehealth. This sudden shift in healthcare delivery brings with it both challenges and opportunities for clinical concussion care. This article is designed to discuss these challenges and opportunities and provide an experiential-based framework for providing concussion care via telehealth. We first provide an overview of a clinical concussion model utilized at concussion specialty clinics from 3 geographically disparate healthcare systems for in-person service delivery prior to COVID-19. We then discuss the creation of new clinical workflows to facilitate the continued provision of concussion specialty care using telehealth. Finally, we examine lessons learned during this healthcare delivery shift including limitations and potential barriers for telehealth for concussion care, as well as opportunities for expansion of concussion care in rural and underserved areas. We also discuss the need to empirically evaluate the comparative efficacy of telehealth and in-person concussion care moving forward.

Effects of wearing a cloth face mask on performance, physiological and perceptual responses during a graded treadmill running exercise test.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) determine if wearing a cloth face mask significantly affected exercise performance and associated physiological responses, and (2) describe perceptual measures of effort and participants' experiences while wearing a face mask during a maximal treadmill test. METHODS: Randomised controlled trial of healthy adults aged 18-29 years. Participants completed two (with and without a cloth face mask) maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) on a treadmill following the Bruce protocol. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, exertion and shortness of breath were measured. Descriptive data and physical activity history were collected pretrial; perceptions of wearing face masks and experiential data were gathered immediately following the masked trial. RESULTS: The final sample included 31 adults (age=23.2±3.1 years; 14 women/17 men). Data indicated that wearing a cloth face mask led to a significant reduction in exercise time (-01:39±01:19 min/sec, p<0.001), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (-818±552 mL/min, p<0.001), minute ventilation (-45.2±20.3 L/min), maximal heart rate (-8.4±17.0 beats per minute, p<0.01) and increased dyspnoea (1.7±2.9, p<0.001). Our data also suggest that differences in SpO2 and rating of perceived exertion existed between the different stages of the CPET as participant's exercise intensity increased. No significant differences were found between conditions after the 7-minute recovery period. CONCLUSION: Cloth face masks led to a 14% reduction in exercise time and 29% decrease in VO2max, attributed to perceived discomfort associated with mask-wearing. Compared with no mask, participants reported feeling increasingly short of breath and claustrophobic at higher exercise intensities while wearing a cloth face mask. Coaches, trainers and athletes should consider modifying the frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise when wearing a cloth face mask.

One size fits none: neurobiologic-specific modifications for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sport-related concussion (SRC).

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: - To discuss how the underlying neuroanatomy and neurobiology of five sport-related concussion (SRC) clinical profiles impacts assessment and treatment. RESEARCH DESIGN: - Narrative review. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: - Based on the current literature and clinical experience, arguments against the traditional SRC protocol and for a clinical profiles-based SRC protocol are made. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: - While the clinical profiles-based SRC protocol is widely used and accepted, there has been little published regarding the link to the underlying neuropathology. Our narrative review describes the five SRC clinical profiles: vestibular, ocular, mood, post-traumatic migraine, and cognitive/fatigue. For these profiles, the underlying neuroanatomy and neurobiology is outlined, as well as how that anatomy and biology impact the profiles' etiology, assessment, and treatment. The cervical and sleep modifiers are also briefly covered. CONCLUSIONS: - Utilizing this model, clinicians are able to provide an individualized assessment, conceptualization, and treatment plan for SRC, leading to improved outcomes and clinical experiences for athletes.

Risk Factors for Vestibular and Oculomotor Outcomes After Sport-Related Concussion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between risk factors and vestibular-oculomotor outcomes after sport-related concussion (SRC). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of patients seen 5.7 ± 5.4 days (range 0-30 days) after injury. SETTING: Specialty clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-five athletes (50 male athletes and 35 female athletes) aged 14.1 ± 2.8 years (range 9-24 years) seeking clinical care for SRC. INTERVENTIONS: Participants completed a clinical interview, history questionnaire, symptom inventory, and vestibular/ocularmotor screening (VOMS). Chi-square tests with odds ratios and diagnostic accuracy were used to examine the association between risk factors and VOMS outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The VOMS. RESULTS: Female sex (χ2 = 4.9, P = 0.03), on-field dizziness (χ2 = 7.1, P = 0.008), fogginess (χ2 = 10.3, P = 0.001), and post-traumatic migraine (PTM) symptoms including headache (χ2 = 16.7, P = 0.001), nausea (χ2 = 10.9, P = 0.001), light sensitivity (χ2 = 14.9, P = 0.001), and noise sensitivity (χ2 = 8.7, P = 0.003) were associated with presence of one or more postconcussion VOMS score above clinical cutoff. On-field dizziness (χ2 = 3.8, P = 0.05), fogginess (χ2 = 7.9, P = 0.005), and PTM-like symptoms including nausea (χ2 = 9.0, P = 0.003) and noise sensitivity (χ2 = 7.2, P = 0.007) were associated with obtaining a postconcussion near-point convergence (NPC) distance cutoff >5 cm. The likelihood ratios were 5.93 and 5.14 for VOMS symptoms and NPC distance, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex, on-field dizziness, fogginess, and PTM symptoms were predictive of experiencing vestibular-oculomotor symptoms/impairment after SRC.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Floral Traits in Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus).

Floral morphology and pigmentation are both charismatic and economically relevant traits associated with cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Recent work has linked floral morphology and pigmentation to pollinator efficiency and seed yield. Understanding the genetic architecture of such traits is essential for crop improvement, and gives insight into the role of genetic constraints in shaping floral diversity. A diversity panel of 288 sunflower genotypes was phenotyped for a variety of morphological, phenological, and color traits in both a greenhouse and a field setting. Association mapping was performed using 5788 SNP markers using a mixed linear model approach. Several dozen markers across 10 linkage groups were significantly associated with variation in morphological and color trait variation. Substantial trait plasticity was observed between greenhouse and field phenotyping, and associations differed between environments. Color traits mapped more strongly than morphology in both settings, with markers together explaining 16% of petal carotenoid content in the greenhouse, and 17% and 24% of variation in disc anthocyanin presence in the field and greenhouse, respectively. Morphological traits like disc size mapped more strongly in the field, with markers together explaining up to 19% of disc size variation. Loci identified here through association mapping within cultivated germplasm differ from those identified through biparental crosses between modern cultivated sunflower and either its wild progenitor or domesticated landraces. Several loci lie within genomic regions involved in domestication. Differences between phenotype expression under greenhouse and field conditions highlight the importance of plasticity in determining floral morphology and pigmentation.

Effects of Treatment Delay on Efficacy of Tecovirimat Following Lethal Aerosol Monkeypox Virus Challenge in Cynomolgus Macaques.

Background: Tecovirimat (ST-246) is being developed as an antiviral therapeutic for smallpox for use in the event of an accidental or intentional release. The last reported case of smallpox was 1978 but the potential for use of variola virus for biowarfare has renewed interest in smallpox antiviral therapeutics. Methods: Cynomolgus macaques were challenged with a lethal dose of monkeypox virus (MPXV) by aerosol as a model for human smallpox and treated orally with 10 mg/kg tecovirimat once daily starting up to 8 days following challenge. Monkeys were monitored for survival, lesions, and clinical signs of disease. Samples were collected for measurement of viremia by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and for white blood cell counts. Results: Survival in animals initiating treatment up to 5 days postchallenge was 100%. In animals treated starting 6, 7, or 8 days following challenge, survival was 67%, 100%, and 50%, respectively. Treatment initiation up to 4 days following challenge reduced severity of clinical manifestations of infection. Conclusions: Tecovirimat treatment initiated up to 8 days following a lethal aerosol MPXV challenge improves survival and, when initiated earlier than 5 days after challenge, provides protection from clinical effects of disease, supporting the conclusion that it is a promising smallpox antiviral therapeutic candidate.

Zika Virus Vector Competency of Mosquitoes, Gulf Coast, United States.

Zika virus has recently spread throughout the Americas. Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are considered the primary vector, Culex quinquefasciatus and mosquitoes of other species may also be vectors. We tested Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. taeniorhynchus mosquitoes from the US Gulf Coast; both were refractory to infection and incapable of transmission.

A comprehensive, targeted approach to the clinical care of athletes following sport-related concussion.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to discuss risk and prognostic factors for concussion outcomes, review comprehensive approaches to assessment, and describe a new method for conceptualizing treatment for sport-related concussion using clinical experience. METHODS: Based on the current literature of sport-related concussion and clinical experience, an approach for conceptualizing concussion care using clinical trajectories and targeted treatments was developed. RESULTS: A comprehensive approach to assessment and targeted treatments for sport-related concussion was developed using specific clinical trajectories. CONCLUSION: Sport-related concussions are heterogeneous and require an individualized clinical approach. The use of a comprehensive approach for assessing specific clinical trajectories following a sport-related concussion will help clinicians better conceptualize this injury. Clinicians can then match targeted treatment pathways to specific clinical trajectories to accelerate safe return to play for athletes following a sport-related concussion.

Human surfactant protein A inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and alleviates lung injury in a mouse infection model.

Introduction: SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2)-expressing lung epithelial cells through its spike (S) protein. The S protein is highly glycosylated and could be a target for lectins. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a collagen-containing C-type lectin, expressed by mucosal epithelial cells and mediates its antiviral activities by binding to viral glycoproteins. Objective: This study examined the mechanistic role of human SP-A in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and lung injury in vitro and in vivo. Results: Human SP-A can bind both SARS-CoV-2 S protein and hACE2 in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01). Pre-incubation of SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) with human SP-A inhibited virus binding and entry and reduced viral load in human lung epithelial cells, evidenced by the dose-dependent decrease in viral RNA, nucleocapsid protein (NP), and titer (p<0.01). We observed significant weight loss, increased viral burden, and mortality rate, and more severe lung injury in SARS-CoV-2 infected hACE2/SP-A KO mice (SP-A deficient mice with hACE2 transgene) compared to infected hACE2/mSP-A (K18) and hACE2/hSP-A1 (6A2) mice (with both hACE2 and human SP-A1 transgenes) 6 Days Post-infection (DPI). Furthermore, increased SP-A level was observed in the saliva of COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05), but severe COVID-19 patients had relatively lower SP-A levels than moderate COVID-19 patients (p<0.05). Discussion: Collectively, human SP-A attenuates SARS-CoV-2-induced acute lung injury (ALI) by directly binding to the S protein and hACE2, and inhibiting its infectivity; and SP-A level in the saliva of COVID-19 patients might serve as a biomarker for COVID-19 severity.

Comparative Pathogenesis of Two Lineages of Powassan Virus Reveals Distinct Clinical Outcome, Neuropathology, and Inflammation.

Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFV) can cause severe neuroinvasive disease which may result in death or long-term neurological deficit in over 50% of survivors. Multiple mechanisms for invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by flaviviruses have been proposed including axonal transport, transcytosis, endothelial infection, and Trojan horse routes. Flaviviruses may utilize different or multiple mechanisms of neuroinvasion depending on the specific virus, infection site, and host variability. In this work we have shown that the infection of BALB/cJ mice with either Powassan virus lineage I (Powassan virus) or lineage II (deer tick virus) results in distinct spatial tropism of infection in the CNS which correlates with unique clinical presentations for each lineage. Comparative transcriptomics of infected brains demonstrates the activation of different immune pathways and downstream host responses. Ultimately, the comparative pathology and transcriptomics are congruent with different clinical signs in a murine model. These results suggest that the different disease presentations occur in clinical cases due to the inherent differences in the two lineages of Powassan virus.

Healthy Work Environment Standards in Tele-Critical Care Nursing.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated staffing challenges in intensive care units, with increased burnout and moral distress cited as major problems. A healthy work environment is critical to nurses' success and wellbeing. During the pandemic, a survey by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses revealed decreased composite scores in each of the 6 critical elements of a healthy work environment. Hospital units that improved even 1 critical element reported higher job satisfaction. The use of telehealth tools by expert nurses expanded care delivery during the pandemic by improving response to acutely and critically ill patients while supporting hospital-based nurses. All of the critical elements of a healthy work environment are relevant to the tele-critical care nurse's role and challenges. This article describes how tele-critical care nurses were affected by the pandemic and how healthy work environment strategies promoted successful nurse and patient outcomes.

The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, salivary factors exacerbate the clinical outcome of Heartland virus disease in a small animal model.

Heartland virus was first isolated in 2009 from two patients in Missouri and is transmitted by the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum. To understand disease transmission and pathogenesis, it is necessary to develop an animal model which utilizes the natural route of transmission and manifests in a manner similar to documented human cases. Herein we describe our investigations on identifying A129 mice as the most appropriate small animal model for HRTV pathogenesis that mimics human clinical outcomes. We further investigated the impact of tick saliva in enhancing pathogen transmission and clinical outcomes. Our investigations revealed an increase in viral load in the groups of mice that received both virus and tick salivary gland extract (SGE). Spleens of all infected mice showed extramedullary hematopoiesis (EH), depleted white pulp, and absence of germinal centers. This observation mimics the splenomegaly observed in natural human cases. In the group that received both HRTV and tick SGE, the clinical outcome of HRTV infection was exacerbated compared to HRTV only infection. EH scores and the presence of viral antigens in spleen were higher in mice that received both HRTV and tick SGE. In conclusion, we have developed a small animal model that mimics natural human infection and also demonstrated the impact of tick salivary factors in exacerbating the HRTV infection.

The Lone Star Tick, Amblyomma americanum, salivary factors exacerbate the clinical outcome of Heartland virus disease in a small animal model.

Heartland virus was first isolated in 2009 from two patients in Missouri and is transmitted by the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. To understand disease transmission and pathogenesis, it is necessary to develop an animal model that utilizes the natural transmission route and manifests in a manner similar to documented human cases. Herein we describe our investigations on identifying A129 mice as the most appropriate small animal model for HRTV pathogenesis that mimics human clinical outcomes. We further investigated the impact of tick saliva in enhancing pathogen transmission and clinical outcomes. Our investigations revealed an increase in viral load in the groups of mice that received both virus and tick salivary gland extract (SGE). Spleens of all infected mice showed extramedullary hematopoiesis (EH), depleted white pulp, and absence of germinal centers. This observation mimics the splenomegaly observed in natural human cases. In the group that received both HRTV and tick SGE, the clinical outcome of HRTV infection was exacerbated compared to HRTV-only infection. EH scores and viral antigens in the spleen were higher in mice that received both HRTV and tick SGE. In conclusion, we have developed a small animal model that mimics natural human infection and also demonstrated the impact to tick salivary factors in exacerbating the HRTV infection.

Quantification and persistence of COVID-19 virus in recently deceased individuals before and after embalming.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the medical education worldwide. The infection risk for medical students and healthcare personnel who work with COVID-19 positive cadavers or tissues remains unclear. Moreover, COVID-19 positive cadavers have been rejected by medical schools, adversely impacting the continuum of medical education. Herein, the viral genome abundance in tissues from four COVID-19 positive donors before and after embalming were compared. Tissue samples were collected from the lungs, liver, spleen, and brain both pre- and postembalming. The possible presence of infectious COVID-19 was determined by inoculating human tissue homogenates onto a monolayer of human A549-hACE2 cells and observing for cytopathic effects up to 72 h postinoculation. A real- time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify COVID-19 present in culture supernatants. Fully intact viral genome sequence was possible to obtain in samples with higher levels of virus, even several days postmortem. The embalming procedure described above substantially reduces the abundance of viable COVID-19 genomes in all tissues, sometimes even to undetectable levels. However, in some cases, COVID-19 RNA can still be detected, and a cytopathic effect can be seen both pre- and postembalmed tissues. This study suggests that embalmed COVID-19 positive cadavers might be used safely with appropriate precautions followed in gross anatomy laboratories and in clinical and scientific research. Deep lung tissue is the best specimen to test for the virus. If the tests on the lung tissues are negative, there is a very low likelihood that other tissues will show positive results.

Human Surfactant Protein A Alleviates SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity in Human Lung Epithelial Cells.

SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2)-expressing lung epithelial cells through its spike (S) protein. The S protein is highly glycosylated and could be a target for lectins. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a collagen-containing C-type lectin, expressed by mucosal epithelial cells and mediates its antiviral activities by binding to viral glycoproteins. This study examined the mechanistic role of human SP-A in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. The interactions between human SP-A and SARS-CoV-2 S protein and hACE2 receptor, and SP-A level in COVID-19 patients were assessed by ELISA. The effect of SP-A on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity was analyzed by infecting human lung epithelial cells (A549-ACE2) with pseudoviral particles and infectious SARS-CoV-2 (Delta variant) pre-incubated with SP-A. Virus binding, entry, and infectivity were assessed by RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and plaque assay. The results showed that human SP-A can bind SARS-CoV-2 S protein/RBD and hACE2 in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01). Human SP-A inhibited virus binding and entry, and reduce viral load in lung epithelial cells, evidenced by the dose-dependent decrease in viral RNA, nucleocapsid protein, and titer (p<0.01). Increased SP-A level was observed in the saliva of COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05), but severe COVID-19 patients had relatively lower SP-A levels than moderate COVID-19 patients (p<0.05). Therefore, SP-A plays an important role in mucosal innate immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by directly binding to the S protein and inhibiting its infectivity in host cells. SP-A level in the saliva of COVID-19 patients might serve as a biomarker for COVID-19 severity.

Human attachment site preferences of ticks parasitizing in New York.

Ticks transmit several arthropod-borne pathogens in New York State. The primary human-biting ticks in this region are Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis. Body regions where tick bites human vary depending on the tick species and life stage, and clothing worn by the host. A community tick submission system was used to acquire information about bite-site location prior to pathogen testing to understand species and life stage-specific body-segment preferences. These data resulted in the identification of species-specific preferences for location, with D. variabilis preferentially biting the head and neck and A. americanum preferring the thighs, groin, and abdomen. Ixodes scapularis was found across the body, although it showed a significant life stage difference with adults preferring the head, midsection, and groin, while nymphs/larvae preferred the extremities. Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi resulted in a significant change in attachment site. This provides an assessment of which body region ticks of the most common species in New York are likely to be found.

Community engaged tick surveillance and tickMAP as a public health tool to track the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in New York.

A community engaged passive surveillance program was utilized to acquire ticks and associated information throughout New York state. Ticks were speciated and screened for several tick-borne pathogens. Of these ticks, only I. scapularis was commonly infected with pathogens of human relevance, including B. burgdorferi, B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, B. microti, and Powassan virus. In addition, the geographic and temporal distribution of tick species and pathogens was determined. This enabled the construction of a powerful visual analytical mapping tool, tickMAP to track the emergence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in real-time. The public can use this tool to identify hot-spots of disease emergence, clinicians for supportive evidence during differential diagnosis, and researchers to better understand factors influencing the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in New York. Overall, we have created a community-engaged tick surveillance program and an interactive visual analytical tickMAP that other regions could emulate to provide real-time tracking and an early warning for the emergence of tick-borne diseases.

Anti-Yersinia antibodies are not associated with microscopic colitis in an American case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic colitis (MC), which consists of lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis, may be triggered by gastrointestinal infections. Studies have suggested a relationship between MC and Yersinia enterocolitica infection. We tested this hypothesis in a case-control study of American patients with MC. METHODS: Serum was collected from 47 patients with MC and 44 age- and gender-matched healthy controls at a large referral center in the mid-western United States. Anti-IgA and IgG antibodies to Y. enterocolitica were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fisher's exact test was used to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups for seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia IgA (cases 2.1%, controls 2.3%, p = 1.00) or IgG antibodies (cases 4.3%, controls 6.8%, p = 0.67). There was no correlation between antibody titers and duration of MC diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our data do not support the role of exposure to Y. enterocolitica in an American group of patients with MC.