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2.
Clin Infect Dis ; 73(2): e345-e354, 2021 07 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32615591

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Death in patients with chikungunya is rare and has been associated with encephalitis, hemorrhage, and septic shock. We describe clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings in individuals who died following chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. METHODS: We identified individuals who died in Puerto Rico during 2014 following an acute illness and had CHIKV RNA detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in a pre- or postmortem blood or tissue specimen. We performed histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CHIKV antigen on tissue specimens and collected medical data via record review and family interviews. RESULTS: Thirty CHIKV-infected fatal cases were identified (0.8/100 000 population). The median age was 61 years (range: 6 days-86 years), and 19 (63%) were male. Death occurred a median of 4 days (range: 1-29) after illness onset. Nearly all (93%) had at least 1 comorbidity, most frequently hypertension, diabetes, or obesity. Nine had severe comorbidities (eg, chronic heart or kidney disease, sickle cell anemia) or coinfection (eg, leptospirosis). Among 24 fatal cases with tissue specimens, 11 (46%) were positive by IHC. CHIKV antigen was most frequently detected in mesenchymal tissues and mononuclear cells including tissue macrophages, blood mononuclear cells, splenic follicular dendritic cells, and Kupffer cells. Common histopathologic findings were intra-alveolar hemorrhage and edema in the lung, chronic or acute tenosynovitis, and increased immunoblasts in the spleen. CHIKV infection likely caused fatal septic shock in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of tissue specimens provided insights into the pathogenesis of CHIKV, which may rarely result in septic shock and other severe manifestations.


Subject(s)
Chikungunya Fever , Chikungunya virus , Diabetes Mellitus , Chikungunya Fever/complications , Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Puerto Rico
3.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 14(9): e0008532, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32956416

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: After Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged in the Americas, laboratory-based surveillance for arboviral diseases in Puerto Rico was adapted to include ZIKV disease. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Suspected cases of arboviral disease reported to Puerto Rico Department of Health were tested for evidence of infection with Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses by RT-PCR and IgM ELISA. To describe spatiotemporal trends among confirmed ZIKV disease cases, we analyzed the relationship between municipality-level socio-demographic, climatic, and spatial factors, and both time to detection of the first ZIKV disease case and the midpoint of the outbreak. During November 2015-December 2016, a total of 71,618 suspected arboviral disease cases were reported, of which 39,717 (55.5%; 1.1 cases per 100 residents) tested positive for ZIKV infection. The epidemic peaked in August 2016, when 71.5% of arboviral disease cases reported weekly tested positive for ZIKV infection. Incidence of ZIKV disease was highest among 20-29-year-olds (1.6 cases per 100 residents), and most (62.3%) cases were female. The most frequently reported symptoms were rash (83.0%), headache (64.6%), and myalgia (63.3%). Few patients were hospitalized (1.2%), and 13 (<0.1%) died. Early detection of ZIKV disease cases was associated with increased population size (log hazard ratio [HR]: -0.22 [95% confidence interval -0.29, -0.14]), eastern longitude (log HR: -1.04 [-1.17, -0.91]), and proximity to a city (spline estimated degrees of freedom [edf] = 2.0). Earlier midpoints of the outbreak were associated with northern latitude (log HR: -0.30 [-0.32, -0.29]), eastern longitude (spline edf = 6.5), and higher mean monthly temperature (log HR: -0.04 [-0.05, -0.03]). Higher incidence of ZIKV disease was associated with lower mean precipitation, but not socioeconomic factors. CONCLUSIONS: During the ZIKV epidemic in Puerto Rico, 1% of residents were reported to public health authorities and had laboratory evidence of ZIKV disease. Transmission was first detected in urban areas of eastern Puerto Rico, where transmission also peaked earlier. These trends suggest that ZIKV was first introduced to Puerto Rico in the east before disseminating throughout the island.


Subject(s)
Epidemics/statistics & numerical data , Spatio-Temporal Analysis , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Zika Virus/isolation & purification , Zika Virus Infection/diagnosis
4.
Health Promot Pract ; 21(1): 133-141, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31142152

ABSTRACT

In response to the Zika virus outbreak in Puerto Rico (2015-2016), the Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) was established to provide same-day access to the full range of reversible contraception at no cost to women. Formative research was conducted to inform the development of a communication campaign about Z-CAN. Ten focus groups with women and men, aged 18 to 49 years, in Puerto Rico were conducted to collect data on contraception awareness, use, and decision making during the Zika outbreak, as well as culturally appropriate messaging and outreach strategies. Thematic analysis was conducted using the constant comparative method. Data showed that there was community awareness regarding Zika in Puerto Rico. However, it was not a motivating factor in contraception decision making; instead, economic factors were the major drivers. Most participants preferred to receive information on contraception, potential side effects, and where to access contraceptive services via Internet-based channels and health care providers. Based on these findings, the Ante La Duda, Pregunta [When in Doubt, Ask] campaign was launched to promote awareness of Z-CAN services among those who chose to prevent pregnancy during the Zika outbreak. Our results underscore the importance of conducting formative research to develop communication initiatives, while also demonstrating that it is feasible to perform these activities as part of an emergency response.


Subject(s)
Contraception/methods , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Communication , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Focus Groups , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motivation , Pregnancy , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Young Adult , Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control
5.
J Asthma ; 57(8): 886-897, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31187658

ABSTRACT

Objective: Asthma carries a high burden of disease for residents of Puerto Rico. We conducted this study to better understand asthma-related healthcare use and to examine potential asthma triggers.Methods: We characterized asthma-related healthcare use in 2013 by demographics, region, and date using outpatient, hospital, and emergency department (ED) insurance claims with a primary diagnostic ICD-9-CM code of 493.XX. We examined environmental asthma triggers, including outdoor allergens (i.e., mold and pollen), particulate pollution, and influenza-like illness. Analyses included descriptive statistics and Poisson time-series regression.Results: During 2013, there were 550,655 medical asthma claims reported to the Puerto Rico Healthcare Utilization database, representing 148 asthma claims/1,000 persons; 71% of asthma claims were outpatient visits, 19% were hospitalizations, and 10% were ED visits. Females (63%), children aged ≤9 years (77% among children), and adults aged ≥45 years (80% among adults) had the majority of asthma claims. Among health regions, Caguas had the highest asthma claim-rate at 142/1,000 persons (overall health region claim-rate = 108). Environmental exposures varied across the year and demonstrated seasonal patterns. Metro health region regression models showed positive associations between increases in mold and particulate matter <10 microns in diameter (PM10) and outpatient asthma claims.Conclusions: This study provides information about patterns of asthma-related healthcare use across Puerto Rico. Increases in mold and PM10 were associated with increases in asthma claims. Targeting educational interventions on exposure awareness and reduction techniques, especially to persons with higher asthma-related healthcare use, can support asthma control activities in public health and clinical settings.


Subject(s)
Allergens/adverse effects , Asthma/epidemiology , Cost of Illness , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Administrative Claims, Healthcare/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Allergens/analysis , Asthma/immunology , Asthma/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Monitoring/statistics & numerical data , Female , Geography , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Particulate Matter/adverse effects , Particulate Matter/analysis , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Young Adult
6.
J Infect Dis ; 220(9): 1489-1497, 2019 09 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31342075

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The burden of leptospirosis in Puerto Rico remains unclear due to underreporting. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey and rodent trapping was performed in a community within San Juan, Puerto Rico to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for Leptospira infection. The microscopic agglutination test was used to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies as a marker of previous infection. We evaluated Leptospira carriage by quantitative polymerase chain reaction among rodents trapped at the community site. RESULTS: Of 202 study participants, 55 (27.2%) had Leptospira agglutinating antibodies. Among the 55 seropositive individuals, antibodies were directed most frequently against serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (22.0%) and Autumnalis (10.6%). Of 18 captured rodents, 11 (61.1%) carried pathogenic Leptospira (Leptospira borgpetersenii, 7 and Leptospira interrogans, 2). Four participants showed their highest titer against an isolate obtained from a rodent (serogroup Ballum). Increasing household distance to the canal that runs through the community was associated with decreased risk of infection (odds ratio = 0.934 per 10-meter increase; 95% confidence interval, .952-.992). CONCLUSIONS: There are high levels of Leptospira exposure in an urban setting in Puerto Rico, for which rodents may be an important reservoir for transmission. Our findings indicate that prevention should focus on mitigating risk posed by infrastructure deficiencies such as the canal.


Subject(s)
Disease Reservoirs , Leptospira interrogans/isolation & purification , Leptospira/isolation & purification , Leptospirosis/epidemiology , Rodentia/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Urban Population , Young Adult
7.
Open Forum Infect Dis ; 6(1): ofy325, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30631791

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with severe thrombocytopenia. We describe the incidence, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of patients with ZIKV infection and thrombocytopenia. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of patients with ZIKV infection and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 ×109 cells/L) in Puerto Rico during 2016. Severe thrombocytopenia was defined by platelet count <20 ×109/L or a platelet count <50 ×109/L and treatment for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). RESULTS: Of 37 878 patients with ZIKV infection, 47 (0.1%) had thrombocytopenia in the absence of an alternative etiology (1.4 cases/100 000 population), including 12 with severe thrombocytopenia. Most patients with thrombocytopenia were adult (77%) and male (53%). Platelet nadir occurred a median (range) of 6 (1-16) and 5 (0-34) days after symptom onset for patients with severe and nonsevere thrombocytopenia, respectively. Among patients with severe thrombocytopenia, all had bleeding, 33% were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 8% died; 50% were treated for ITP. Among 5 patients with severe thrombocytopenia who received intravenous immunoglobulin, the median platelet count increase (range) was 112 (65-202) ×109/L. In contrast, among 4 patients who received platelet transfusion, the median increase in platelet count (range) was 8.5 (-6 to 52) ×109/L. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe thrombocytopenia and ZIKV infection experienced prominent acute morbidity. Consistent with recommended management, administration of ITP treatments to such patients may be more efficacious than platelet transfusion in resolving thrombocytopenia. Severe thrombocytopenia should be considered a rare outcome of ZIKV infection.

8.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 13(1): e0007084, 2019 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30640900

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization of patients during outbreaks of chikungunya virus has been reported to be uncommon (0.5-8.7%), but more frequent among infants and the elderly. CHIKV was first detected in Puerto Rico in May 2014. We enrolled patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) presenting to two hospital emergency departments in Puerto Rico and tested them for CHIKV infection to describe the frequency of detection of CHIKV-infected patients, identify risk factors for hospitalization, and describe patients with severe manifestations. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Serum specimens were collected from patients with AFI and tested by rRT-PCR. During May-December 2014, a total of 3,035 patients were enrolled, and 1,469 (48.4%) had CHIKV infection. A total of 157 (10.7%) CHIKV-infected patients were hospitalized, six (0.4%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and two died (0.1%). Common symptoms among all CHIKV-infected patients were arthralgia (82.6%), lethargy (80.6%), and myalgia (80.5%). Compared to patients aged 1-69 years (7.3%), infant (67.2%) and elderly (17.3%) patients were nine and two times more likely to be hospitalized, respectively (relative risk [RR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.16 [7.05-11.90] and 2.36 [1.54-3.62]). Multiple symptoms of AFI were associated with decreased risk of hospitalization, including arthralgia (RR = 0.31 [0.23-0.41]) and myalgia (RR = 0.29 [0.22-0.39]). Respiratory symptoms were associated with increased risk of hospitalization, including rhinorrhea (RR = 1.68 [1.24-2.27) and cough (RR = 1.77 [1.31-2.39]). Manifestations present among <5% of patients but associated with patient hospitalization included cyanosis (RR = 2.20 [1.17-4.12) and seizures (RR = 3.23 [1.80-5.81). DISCUSSION: Among this cohort of CHIKV-infected patients, hospitalization was uncommon, admission to the ICU was infrequent, and death was rare. Risk of hospitalization was higher in patients with symptoms of respiratory illness and other manifestations that may not have been the result of CHIKV infection.


Subject(s)
Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology , Chikungunya Fever/pathology , Hospitalization , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Chikungunya Fever/mortality , Chikungunya virus/genetics , Chikungunya virus/isolation & purification , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Retrospective Studies , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Risk Factors , Survival Analysis , Young Adult
9.
P R Health Sci J ; 37(Spec Issue): S85-S92, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30576584

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an uncommon autoimmune disorder that follows infection or vaccination, and increased incidence has been reported during Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission. During the 2016 ZIKV epidemic, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) implemented the Enhanced GBS Surveillance System (EGBSSS). Here, we describe EGBSSS implementation and evaluate completeness, validity, and timeliness. METHODS: GBS cases were identified using passive surveillance and discharge diagnostic code for GBS. Completeness was evaluated by capture-recapture methods. Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for confirmed GBS cases were calculated for both case identification methods. Median time to completion of key time steps were compared by quarter (Q1-4) and hospital size. RESULTS: A total of 122 confirmed GBS cases with onset of neurologic illness in 2016 were identified. Capture-recapture methodology estimated that four confirmed GBS cases were missed by both identification methods. Identification of cases by diagnostic code had a higher sensitivity than passive surveillance (89% vs. 80%), but a lower PPV (60% vs. 72%). There was a significant decrease from Q1 to Q3 in median time from hospital admission to case reporting (11 days vs. 2 days, p = 0.032) and from Q2 to Q3 in median time from specimen receipt to arbovirus laboratory test reporting (35 days vs. 26 days, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: EGBSSS provided complete, valid, and increasingly timely surveillance data, which guided public health action and supported healthcare providers during the ZIKV epidemic. This evaluation provides programmatic lessons for GBS surveillance and emergency response surveillance.


Subject(s)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome/epidemiology , Population Surveillance/methods , Public Health , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Epidemics , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/diagnosis , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/virology , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Predictive Value of Tests , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Sensitivity and Specificity , Time Factors
10.
JAMA Neurol ; 75(9): 1089-1097, 2018 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29799940

ABSTRACT

Importance: The pathophysiologic mechanisms of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) infection may be indicated by differences in clinical features. Objective: To identify specific clinical features of GBS associated with ZIKV infection. Design, Setting, and Participants: During the ZIKV epidemic in Puerto Rico, prospective and retrospective strategies were used to identify patients with GBS who had neurologic illness onset in 2016 and were hospitalized at all 57 nonspecialized hospitals and 2 rehabilitation centers in Puerto Rico. Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnosis was confirmed via medical record review using the Brighton Collaboration criteria. Specimens (serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva) from patients with GBS were tested for evidence of ZIKV infection by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; serum and cerebrospinal fluid were also tested by IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this analysis of public health surveillance data, a total of 123 confirmed GBS cases were identified, of which 107 had specimens submitted for testing; there were 71 patients with and 36 patients without evidence of ZIKV infection. Follow-up telephone interviews with patients were conducted 6 months after neurologic illness onset; 60 patients with and 27 patients without evidence of ZIKV infection participated. Main Outcomes and Measures: Acute and long-term clinical characteristics of GBS associated with ZIKV infection. Results: Of 123 patients with confirmed GBS, the median age was 54 years (age range, 4-88 years), and 68 patients (55.3%) were male. The following clinical features were more frequent among patients with GBS and evidence of ZIKV infection compared with patients with GBS without evidence of ZIKV infection: facial weakness (44 [62.0%] vs 10 [27.8%]; P < .001), dysphagia (38 [53.5%] vs 9 [25.0%]; P = .005), shortness of breath (33 [46.5%] vs 9 [25.0%]; P = .03), facial paresthesia (13 [18.3%] vs 1 [2.8%]; P = .03), elevated levels of protein in cerebrospinal fluid (49 [94.2%] vs 23 [71.9%]; P = .008), admission to the intensive care unit (47 [66.2%] vs 16 [44.4%]; P = .03), and required mechanical ventilation (22 [31.0%] vs 4 [11.1%]; P = .02). Six months after neurologic illness onset, patients with GBS and evidence of ZIKV infection more frequently reported having excessive or inadequate tearing (30 [53.6%] vs 6 [26.1%]; P = .03), difficulty drinking from a cup (10 [17.9%] vs 0; P = .03), and self-reported substantial pain (15 [27.3%] vs 1 [4.3%]; P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, GBS associated with ZIKV infection was found to have higher morbidity during the acute phase and more frequent cranial neuropathy during acute neuropathy and 6 months afterward. Results indicate GBS pathophysiologic mechanisms that may be more common after ZIKV infection.


Subject(s)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome/diagnosis , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/virology , Zika Virus Infection/complications , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/epidemiology , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology
11.
J Infect Dis ; 217(11): 1678-1689, 2018 05 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29216376

ABSTRACT

Background: During the outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) disease in Puerto Rico in 2016, nonpregnant women aged 20-39 years were disproportionately identified with ZIKV disease. We used household-based cluster investigations to determine whether this disparity was associated with age- or sex-dependent differences in the rate of ZIKV infection or reported symptoms. Methods: Participation was offered to residents of households within a 100-m radius of the residences of a convenience sample of 19 laboratory-confirmed ZIKV disease cases. Participants answered a questionnaire and provided specimens for diagnostic testing by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Among 367 study participants, 114 (31.1%) were laboratory positive for ZIKV infection, of whom 30% reported a recent illness (defined as self-reported rash or arthralgia) attributable to ZIKV infection. Age and sex were not associated with ZIKV infection. Female sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40, 3.67), age <40 years (aPR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.55, 3.70), and asthma (aPR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.12, 2.37) were independently associated with symptomatic infection. Conclusions: Although neither female sex nor age were associated with an increased prevalence of ZIKV infection, both were associated with symptomatic infection. Further investigation to identify a potential mechanism of age- and sex-dependent differences in reporting symptomatic ZIKV infection is warranted.


Subject(s)
Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Zika Virus/pathogenicity , Adult , Aged , Disease Outbreaks , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Puerto Rico/epidemiology
13.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 97(4): 1085-1087, 2017 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28722594

ABSTRACT

Coinfection with pathogens that cause acute febrile illness (AFI) can complicate patient diagnosis and management. This report describes a fatal case of Leptospira spp./Zika virus (ZIKV) coinfection in Puerto Rico. The patient presented with a 5-day history of AFI; reported behavioral risk factors for leptospirosis; was diagnosed with possible leptospirosis, dengue, chikungunya, or ZIKV disease; and received appropriate treatment for leptospirosis and dengue. Following a 3-day hospitalization, the patient died due to acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and kidney and liver failure. Serologic diagnostic testing for leptospirosis and ZIKV disease was negative; however, molecular diagnostic testing performed postmortem was positive for detection of Leptospira spp. and ZIKV nucleic acid. This case demonstrates the need for continued clinical awareness of leptospirosis in areas experiencing outbreaks of pathogens that cause AFI and the need for evaluation of coinfection with AFI-causing pathogens as a risk factor for increased severity of disease.


Subject(s)
Leptospirosis/epidemiology , Leptospirosis/mortality , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Zika Virus Infection/mortality , Coinfection/epidemiology , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Puerto Rico/epidemiology
14.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 97(3): 758-760, 2017 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28749761

ABSTRACT

The Caribbean island of Hispaniola is targeted for malaria elimination. Currently, this is the only island with ongoing transmission of malaria in the Caribbean. In 2015, six patients from Puerto Rico and one from Massachusetts, who traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, were confirmed to be infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Additional molecular analysis was performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to characterize the drug-resistant alleles and Plasmodium population genetic markers. All specimens carried wildtype genotypes for chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and artemisinin resistance genetic markers. A mutation in codon 184 (Y/F) of Pfmdr-1 gene was observed in all samples and they shared an identical genetic lineage as determined by microsatellite analysis. This genetic profile was similar to one previously reported from Hispaniola suggesting that a clonal P. falciparum residual parasite population present in Punta Cana is the source population for these imported malaria cases.


Subject(s)
Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Plasmodium falciparum/genetics , Travel , Genetic Markers , Humans , Malaria , Phylogeny , Plasmodium falciparum/isolation & purification , Puerto Rico/epidemiology
15.
J Neurol Sci ; 377: 102-106, 2017 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28477675

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Zika virus has been associated with increases in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) incidence. A GBS incidence estimation and clinical description was performed to assess baseline GBS epidemiology before the introduction of Zika virus in Puerto Rico. METHODS: Hospitalization administrative data from an island-wide insurance claims database and U.S. Census Bureau population estimates provided a crude GBS incidence for 2013. This estimate was adjusted using the proportion of GBS cases meeting Brighton criteria for confirmed GBS from nine reference hospitals. Characteristics of confirmed GBS cases in the same nine hospitals during 2012-2015 are described. RESULTS: A total of 136 GBS hospitalization claims were filed in 2013 (crude GBS incidence was 3.8 per 100,000 population). The adjusted GBS incidence was 1.7 per 100,000 population. Of 67 confirmed GBS cases during 2012-2015, 66% had an antecedent illness. Median time from antecedent illness to GBS onset was 7days. Most cases (67%) occurred during July-September. CONCLUSIONS: Puerto Rico's GBS incidence for 2013 was estimated using a combination of administrative data and medical records review; this method could be employed in other regions to monitor GBS incidence before and after the introduction of GBS infectious triggers.


Subject(s)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome/epidemiology , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/virology , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Databases, Factual/statistics & numerical data , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Insurance, Major Medical/statistics & numerical data , Male , Population Surveillance , Puerto Rico/epidemiology
17.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 23(5): 790-795, 2017 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28263141

ABSTRACT

Puerto Rico has been heavily impacted by Zika virus, a mosquitoborne flavivirus that emerged in the Americas during 2015. Although most persons with Zika virus show no symptoms, the virus can cause neurologic and other complications, including fetal microcephaly. Local Zika virus transmission in Puerto Rico has been reported since December 2015. To prevent transfusion-associated transmission, local blood collection ceased in March 2016 but resumed in April 2016 after Zika virus screening of blood donations became available. Using data from screening of blood donations collected by the 2 largest blood centers in Puerto Rico during April 3-August 12, 2016, and assuming a 9.9-day duration of viremia, we estimated that 469,321 persons in Puerto Rico were infected during this period, for an estimated cumulative incidence of 12.9%. Results from blood donation screening during arboviral outbreaks can supplement routine clinical and surveillance data for improved targeting of prevention efforts.


Subject(s)
Blood Donors , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Zika Virus , Adolescent , Adult , Female , History, 21st Century , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Population Surveillance , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Seasons , Young Adult , Zika Virus/immunology
19.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 23(1): 74-82, 2017 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27805547

ABSTRACT

We modeled the potential cost-effectiveness of increasing access to contraception in Puerto Rico during a Zika virus outbreak. The intervention is projected to cost an additional $33.5 million in family planning services and is likely to be cost-saving for the healthcare system overall. It could reduce Zika virus-related costs by $65.2 million ($2.8 million from less Zika virus testing and monitoring and $62.3 million from avoided costs of Zika virus-associated microcephaly [ZAM]). The estimates are influenced by the contraception methods used, the frequency of ZAM, and the lifetime incremental cost of ZAM. Accounting for unwanted pregnancies that are prevented, irrespective of Zika virus infection, an additional $40.4 million in medical costs would be avoided through the intervention. Increasing contraceptive access for women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy in Puerto Rico during a Zika virus outbreak can substantially reduce the number of cases of ZAM and healthcare costs.


Subject(s)
Contraception/economics , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Disease Outbreaks , Microcephaly/prevention & control , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control , Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control , Adult , Contraception/methods , Decision Trees , Female , Forecasting , Health Care Costs , Humans , Microcephaly/economics , Microcephaly/epidemiology , Microcephaly/virology , Population Surveillance , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/economics , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Zika Virus/pathogenicity , Zika Virus/physiology , Zika Virus Infection/economics , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology , Zika Virus Infection/virology
20.
J Infect Dis ; 214(suppl 5): S475-S481, 2016 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27920177

ABSTRACT

After chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission was detected in Puerto Rico in May 2014, multiple surveillance systems were used to describe epidemiologic trends and CHIKV-associated disease. Of 28 327 cases reported via passive surveillance, 6472 were tested for evidence of CHIKV infection, and results for 4399 (68%) were positive. Of 250 participants in household cluster investigations, 70 (28%) had evidence of recent CHIKV infection. Enhanced surveillance for chikungunya at 2 hospitals identified 1566 patients who tested positive for CHIKV, of whom 10.9% were hospitalized. Enhanced surveillance for fatal cases enabled identification of 31 cases in which CHIKV was detected in blood or tissue specimens. All surveillance systems detected a peak incidence of chikungunya in September 2014 and continued circulation in 2015. Concomitant surveillance for dengue demonstrated low incidence, which had decreased before CHIKV was introduced. Multifaceted chikungunya surveillance in Puerto Rico resolved gaps in traditional passive surveillance and enabled a holistic description of the spectrum of disease associated with CHIKV infection.


Subject(s)
Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology , Chikungunya Fever/virology , Dengue/epidemiology , Epidemiological Monitoring , Chikungunya Fever/mortality , Chikungunya virus/isolation & purification , Dengue/virology , Dengue Virus/isolation & purification , Family Characteristics , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Puerto Rico/epidemiology
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