Reduced effectiveness of repeat influenza vaccination: distinguishing among within-season waning, recent clinical infection, and subclinical infection.

Studies have reported that prior-season influenza vaccination is associated with higher risk of clinical influenza infection among vaccinees. This effect might arise from incomplete consideration of within-season waning and recent infection. Using data from the US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) Network (2011-2012 to 2018-2019 seasons), we found that repeat vaccinees were vaccinated earlier in a season by one week. After accounting for waning VE, repeat vaccinees were still more likely to test positive for A(H3N2) (OR=1.11, 95%CI:1.02-1.21) but not for influenza B or A(H1N1). We found that clinical infection influenced individuals' decision to vaccinate in the following season while protecting against clinical infection of the same (sub)type. However, adjusting for recent clinical infections did not strongly influence the estimated effect of prior-season vaccination. In contrast, we found that adjusting for subclinical infection could theoretically attenuate this effect. Additional investigation is needed to determine the impact of subclinical infections on VE.

Incidence and visual outcomes of acute endophthalmitis post intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in a single referral center.

BACKGROUND: To describe the incidence and factors predicting visual outcome in patients with infectious endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. METHODS: Retrospective, single-site, cohort study. Patients with acute endophthalmitis within 6 weeks of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection who were referred to our practice after inciting injection or were injected by us between January 2010 and July 2017 were included. All patients received intravitreal antibiotics with either vitreous/anterior chamber tap (TAP) or pars plana vitrectomy. Visual outcomes pre/post treatment, baseline variables (age, gender, ocular disease) and cultures results were studied. RESULTS: Seventy eyes of 69 patients were included. Presenting VA was the strongest factor associated with final visual outcome after adjusting for other variables including culture status and baseline VA (p = .0002). Cultures were positive in 62.8% of eyes and were associated with worse visual outcome (p = .0087). Growth of Streptococcus or microorganisms other than coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) was also associated with worse prognosis, regardless of baseline and presenting VA (p = .0002). The crude incidence of post-injection endophthalmitis was 0.028% in our practice (40 eyes in 143,628 injections) during the study time. No significant difference was found between pre-filled bevacizumab versus ranibizumab or aflibercept drawn from a vial. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, single center, retrospective study, the incidence of acute endophthalmitis post anti-VEGF injection was relatively low. Worse visual acuity at presentation of endophthalmitis and growth of Streptococcus or organisms other than CNS were associated with the worst visual outcomes.

Improving Cost-effectiveness and Access to Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Depression: Providing Remote-Ready, Computer-Assisted Psychotherapy in Times of Crisis and Beyond.

INTRODUCTION: There is growing evidence that computer-delivered or computer-assisted forms of cognitive behavior therapy (CCBT) are helpful, but cost-effectiveness versus standard therapies is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a therapist-supported method for CCBT in comparison to standard cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). METHODS: A total of 154 drug-free major depressive disorder outpatients were randomly assigned to either 16 weeks of standard CBT (up to twenty 50-min sessions) or CCBT using the Good Days Ahead program (including up to 5.5 h of therapist contact). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, weeks 8 and 16, and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Economic analyses took into account the costs of services received and work/social role impairment. RESULTS: In the context of almost identical efficacy, a form of CCBT that used only about one third the amount of therapist contact as conventional CBT was highly cost-effective compared to conventional therapy and reduced the adjusted cost of treatment by USD 945 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: A method of CCBT that blended internet-delivered modules and abbreviated therapeutic contact reduced the cost of treatment substantially without adversely affecting outcomes. Results suggest that use of this approach can more than double the access to CBT. Because clinician support in CCBT can be provided by telephone, videoconference, and/or email, this highly efficient form of treatment could be a major advance in remote treatment delivery.

Influenza Vaccine Intention After a Medically Attended Acute Respiratory Infection.

Background. Little is known about vaccine intention behavior among patients recovering from a medically attended acute respiratory infection. Methods. Adults ≥ 18 years old with an acute respiratory infection in the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 influenza seasons were tested for influenza and completed surveys. Across seasons, unvaccinated participants were grouped into those who intended to receive the influenza vaccine in the following season (vaccine intention) and those who did not (no vaccine intention). In 2016-2017, participants were asked the reasons for their vaccination behavior. Results. Of the 837 unvaccinated participants, 308 (37%) intended to be vaccinated the next season. The groups did not differ in demographic or overall health factors. In logistic regression, non-Whites, those reporting wheezing or nasal congestion, and those receiving an antiviral prescription were more likely to be in the vaccine intention group. That group was significantly more likely to cite perceived behavioral control reasons for not being vaccinated (forgot), while the no vaccine intention group was significantly (p < .001) more likely to report knowledge/attitudinal reasons (side effects). Conclusion. Because influenza vaccine is given annually, adults must make a conscious decision to receive the vaccine each year. Understanding the factors related to vaccination behavior and intent can help shape interventions to improve influenza vaccination rates. A medical visit at the time of an acute respiratory illness, especially one in which the provider suspects influenza, as evidenced by an antiviral prescription, is an ideal opportunity to recommend influenza vaccine in the next season, to prevent a similar experience.

Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to predict influenza in primary care patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of neuraminidase-inhibiting anti-viral medication to treat influenza is relatively infrequent. Rapid, cost-effective methods for diagnosing influenza are needed to enable appropriate prescribing. Multi-viral respiratory panels using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to diagnose influenza are accurate but expensive and more time-consuming than low sensitivity rapid influenza tests. Influenza clinical decision algorithms are both rapid and inexpensive, but most are based on regression analyses that do not account for higher order interactions. This study used classification and regression trees (CART) modeling to estimate probabilities of influenza. METHODS: Eligible enrollees ≥ 5 years old (n = 4,173) who presented at ambulatory centers for treatment of acute respiratory illness (≤7 days) with cough or fever in 2011-2012, provided nasal and pharyngeal swabs for PCR testing for influenza, information on demographics, symptoms, personal characteristics and self-reported influenza vaccination status. RESULTS: Antiviral medication was prescribed for just 15 % of those with PCR-confirmed influenza. An algorithm that included fever, cough, and fatigue had sensitivity of 84 %, specificity of 48 %, positive predictive value (PPV) of 23 % and negative predictive value (NPV) of 94 % for the development sample. CONCLUSIONS: The CART algorithm has good sensitivity and high NPV, but low PPV for identifying influenza among outpatients ≥5 years. Thus, it is good at identifying a group who do not need testing or antivirals and had fair to good predictive performance for influenza. Further testing of the algorithm in other influenza seasons would help to optimize decisions for lab testing or treatment.

Effectiveness of Pharmacological Therapies for Intracranial Hypertension in Children With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury--Results From an Automated Data Collection System Time-Synched to Drug Administration.

OBJECTIVES: To describe acute cerebral hemodynamic effects of medications commonly used to treat intracranial hypertension in children with traumatic brain injury. Currently, data supporting the efficacy of these medications are insufficient. DESIGN: In this prospective observational study, intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure ≥ 20 mm Hg for > 5 min) was treated by clinical protocol. Administration times of medications for intracranial hypertension (fentanyl, 3% hypertonic saline, mannitol, and pentobarbital) were prospectively recorded and synchronized with an automated database that collected intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure every 5 seconds. Intracranial pressure crises confounded by external stimulation or mechanical ventilator adjustments were excluded. Mean intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure from epochs following drug administration were compared with baseline values using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Dunn test. Frailty modeling was used to analyze the time to intracranial pressure crisis resolution. Mixed-effect models compared intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure 5 minutes after the medication versus baseline and rates of treatment failure. SETTING: A tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Children with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We analyzed 196 doses of fentanyl, hypertonic saline, mannitol, and pentobarbital administered to 16 children (median: 12 doses per patient). Overall, intracranial pressure significantly decreased following the administration of fentanyl, hypertonic saline, and pentobarbital. After controlling for administration of multiple medications, intracranial pressure was decreased following hypertonic saline and pentobarbital administration; cerebral perfusion pressure was decreased following fentanyl and was increased following hypertonic saline administration. After adjusting for significant covariates (including age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and intracranial pressure), hypertonic saline was associated with a two-fold faster resolution of intracranial hypertension than either fentanyl or pentobarbital. Fentanyl was significantly associated with the most frequent treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial pressure decreased after multiple drug administrations, but hypertonic saline may warrant consideration as the first-line drug for treating intracranial hypertension, as it was associated with the most favorable cerebral hemodynamics and fastest resolution of intracranial hypertension.

Agreement of Physicians and Nurses Performing Tender and Swollen Joint Counts in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the agreement of physicians and nurses performing tender and swollen joint counts (TJCs/SJCs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and identify factors that might influence their examinations including patient age, sex, race, RA disease duration, body mass index, RA disease activity level, comorbid fibromyalgia, comorbid osteoarthritis, and levels of acute-phase reactants. METHODS: Seventy-two RA participants underwent TJCs/SJCs of 28 joints using a standardized protocol by 2 nurses and 2 rheumatologists. Demographic, laboratory, radiographic, and clinical data were obtained to assess the influence of these factors on TJCs/SJCs. Intraclass correlations (ICCs) among examiners were determined for TJCs/SJCs. Nurse-physician differences and agreement of individual joints were evaluated using Cohen κ. Analysis of variance was performed to detect differences in means between examiners for TJCs/SJCs. Intraclass correlation and Fisher Z tests were used to identify factors influencing TJCs/SJCs. RESULTS: Agreement was strong among these nurses and physicians for total TJCs/SJCs (ICC = 0.84/ICC = 0.79, respectively). κ was best for hand joint tenderness and poorest for shoulder swelling. Some significant differences in mean TJCs/SJCs were found between examiners. Fibromyalgia significantly reduced agreement of both TJCs and SJCs. Agreement of TJC was significantly reduced when patients had lower disease activity, greater work impairment, lower mental health quality of life, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, whereas female sex, assessor's perception of but not radiographic hand osteoarthritis, and elevated C-reactive protein significantly reduced agreement for SJC. CONCLUSIONS: Strong agreement was found among nurses and physicians for total 28-joint counts, with agreement at individual joints being stronger for tenderness than swelling. Fibromyalgia significantly reduced ICCs of TJCs/SJCs.

Viral infections in outpatients with medically attended acute respiratory illness during the 2012-2013 influenza season.

BACKGROUND: While it is known that acute respiratory illness (ARI) is caused by an array of viruses, less is known about co-detections and the resultant comparative symptoms and illness burden. This study examined the co-detections, the distribution of viruses, symptoms, and illness burden associated with ARI between December 2012 and March 2013. METHODS: Outpatients with ARI were assayed for presence of 18 viruses using multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (MRT-PCR) to simultaneously detect multiple viruses. RESULTS: Among 935 patients, 60% tested positive for a single virus, 9% tested positive for ≥1 virus and 287 (31%) tested negative. Among children (<18 years), the respective distributions were 63%, 14%, and 23%; whereas for younger adults (18-49 years), the distributions were 58%, 8%, and 34% and for older adults (≥50 years) the distributions were 61%, 5%, and 32% (P < 0.001). Co-detections were more common in children than older adults (P = 0.01), and less frequent in households without children (P = 0.003). Most frequently co-detected viruses were coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza A virus. Compared with single viral infections, those with co-detections less frequently reported sore throat (P = 0.01), missed fewer days of school (1.1 vs. 2 days; P = 0.04), or work (2 vs. 3 days; P = 0.03); other measures of illness severity did not vary. CONCLUSIONS: Among outpatients with ARI, 69% of visits were associated with a viral etiology. Co-detections of specific clusters of viruses were observed in 9% of ARI cases particularly in children, were less frequent in households without children, and were less symptomatic (e.g., lower fever) than single infections.

Influenza C virus in U.S. children with acute respiratory infection 2016-2019.

Influenza C virus (ICV) is an orthomyxovirus related to influenza A and B, yet due to few commercial assays, epidemiologic studies may underestimate incidence of ICV infection and disease. We describe the epidemiology and characteristics of ICV within the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN), a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led network that conducts population-based surveillance for pediatric acute respiratory illness (ARI). Nasal or/combined throat swabs were collected from emergency department (ED) or inpatient ARI cases, or healthy controls, between 12/05/2016-10/31/2019 and tested by molecular assays for ICV and other respiratory viruses. Parent surveys and chart review were used to analyze demographic and clinical characteristics of ICV+ children. Among 19,321 children tested for ICV, 115/17,668 (0.7 %) ARI cases and 8/1653 (0.5 %) healthy controls tested ICV+. Median age of ICV+ patients was 18 months and 88 (71.5 %) were ≤36 months. Among ICV+ ARI patients, 40 % (46/115) were enrolled in the ED, 60 % (69/115) were inpatients, with 15 admitted to intensive care. Most ICV+ ARI patients had fever (67.8 %), cough (94.8 %), or wheezing (60.9 %). Most (60.9 %) ARI cases had ≥1 co-detected viruses including rhinovirus, RSV, and adenovirus. In summary, ICV detection was rarely associated with ARI in children, and most ICV+ patients were ≤3 years old with co-detected respiratory viruses.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Children Identified by Preprocedural Testing at 5 US Children's Hospital Systems.

BACKGROUND: The burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in asymptomatic children was initially presumed to be high, which influenced hospital, school and childcare policies. Before vaccines were widely available, some hospitals implemented universal preprocedural SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing on asymptomatic patients. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in asymptomatic children is needed to illuminate the diversity of viral characteristics and inform policies implemented during future pandemics. METHODS: Data were extracted from patient records of outpatient children who were preprocedurally tested for SARS-CoV-2 from 5 US hospital systems between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. Prevalence was determined from positive test results. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated using mixed logistic regression with the site as a random effect. RESULTS: This study analyzed 93,760 preprocedural SARS-CoV-2 test results from 74,382 patients and found 2693 infections (3.6%) from 2889 positive tests (3.1%). Site-specific prevalence varied across sites. Factors modestly associated with infection included being uninsured [AOR, 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-2.13)], publicly insured [AOR, 1.17 (95% CI, 1.05-1.30)], Hispanic [AOR, 1.78 (95% CI, 1.59-1.99)], Black [AOR, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06-1.39)], elementary school age [5-11 years; AOR, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-1.28)], or adolescent [12-17 years; AOR, 1.26 (95% CI, 1.13-1.41)]. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was low in outpatient children undergoing preprocedural testing, a population that was predominantly asymptomatic at the time of testing. This study contributes evidence that suggests that undetected infection in children likely did not play a predominant role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the early prevaccine pandemic period when the general population was naive to the virus.

Understanding the Added Value of High-Resolution CT Beyond Chest X-ray in Determining Extent of Physiologic Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis staging primarily has relied on the Scadding chest radiographic system, although chest CT imaging is finding increased clinical use. RESEARCH QUESTION: Whether standardized chest CT scan assessment provides additional understanding of lung function beyond Scadding stage and demographics is unknown and the focus of this study. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We used National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute study Genomics Research in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and Sarcoidosis (GRADS) cases of sarcoidosis (n = 351) with Scadding stage and chest CT scans obtained in a standardized manner. One chest radiologist scored all CT scans with a visual scoring system, with a subset read by another chest radiologist. We compared demographic features, Scadding stage and CT scan findings, and the correlation between these measures. Associations between spirometry and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (Dlco) results and CT scan findings and Scadding stage were determined using regression analysis (n = 318). Agreement between readers was evaluated using Cohen's κ value. RESULTS: CT scan features were inconsistent with Scadding stage in approximately 40% of cases. Most CT scan features assessed on visual scoring were associated negatively with lung function. Associations persisted for FEV1 and Dlco when adjusting for Scadding stage, although some CT scan feature associations with FVC became insignificant. Scadding stage was associated primarily with FEV1, and inclusion of CT scan features reduced significance in association between Scadding stage and lung function. Multivariable regression modeling to identify radiologic measures explaining lung function included Scadding stage for FEV1 and FEV1 to FVC ratio (P < .05) and marginally for Dlco (P < .15). Combinations of CT scan measures accounted for Scadding stage for FVC. Correlations among Scadding stage and CT scan features were noted. Agreement between readers was poor to moderate for presence or absence of CT scan features and poor for degree and location of abnormality. INTERPRETATION: In this study, CT scan features explained additional variability in lung function beyond Scadding stage, with some CT scan features obviating the associations between lung function and Scadding stage. Whether CT scan features, phenotypes, or endotypes could be useful for treating patients with sarcoidosis needs more study.

Does early-onset chronic or recurrent major depression impact outcomes with antidepressant medications? A CO-MED trial report.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have suggested that major depressive disorder (MDD) with pre-adult onset represents a distinct subtype with greater symptom severity and higher rates of suicidal ideation. Whether these patients have poorer response to various types of antidepressant treatment than those with adult-onset MDD is unclear. Method A total of 665 psychiatric and primary care out-patients (aged 18-75 years) with non-psychotic chronic or recurrent MDD participated in a single-blind, randomized trial that compared the efficacy of escitalopram plus placebo, bupropion sustained-release plus escitalopram, or venlafaxine extended-release plus mirtazapine. We compared participants who self-reported MDD onset (before age 18) to those with a later onset (adult onset) with respect to baseline characteristics and treatment/outcome variables at 12 and 28 weeks. RESULTS: Early-onset chronic/recurrent MDD was associated with a distinct set of sociodemographic (female, younger age) and clinical correlates (longer duration of illness, greater number of prior episodes, greater likelihood of atypical features, higher rates of suicidality and psychiatric co-morbidity, fewer medical problems, poorer quality of life, greater history of child abuse/neglect). However, results from unadjusted and adjusted analyses showed no significant differences in response, remission, tolerability of medications, quality of life, or retention at 12 or 28 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Although early-onset chronic/recurrent MDD is associated with a more severe clinical picture, it does not seem to be useful for predicting differential treatment response to antidepressant medication. Clinicians should remain alert to an increased risk of suicidality in this population.

Vaccine effectiveness of recombinant and standard dose influenza vaccines against influenza related hospitalization using a retrospective test-negative design.

BACKGROUND: Relative effectiveness of various vaccine formulations provide important input for vaccine policy decisions and provider purchasing decisions. We used electronic databases to conduct a test-negative case control study to determine relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4) compared with standard dose vaccines (SD-IIV4) against influenza hospitalization. METHODS: Adults 18-64 and ≥65 years of age hospitalized in a large U.S. health system (19 hospitals) in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 who were clinically tested for influenza using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were included. The hospital system electronic medical record (EMR) and the state immunization registry were used to confirm influenza vaccination. Propensity scores with inverse probability weighting were used to adjust for potential confounders and determine rVE. RESULTS: Of the 14,590 individuals included in the primary analysis, 3,338 were vaccinated with RIV4 and 976 were vaccinated with SD-IIV4, with the balance of 10,276 being unvaccinated. Most participants were white (80 %), most (70 %) had a high-risk condition, just over half were female (54 %) and age 65 years or older (53 %). Overall RIV4 rVE was significant when adjusted for propensity scores with inverse probability weights (rVE = 31; 95 % CI = 11 %, 46 %). Among younger adults (18-64 years-old), overall rVE of RIV4 was significant (rVE = 29; 95 % CI = 4 %, 47 %). CONCLUSIONS: Over all adults, both RIV4 and SD-IIV4 were effective against influenza hospitalization, with RIV4 providing better protection compared with SD-IIV4 overall, for females, younger adults, and those with no high-risk conditions.

Vaccine effectiveness of recombinant and standard dose influenza vaccines against outpatient illness during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 calculated using a retrospective test-negative design.

Newer influenza vaccine formulations have entered the market, but real-world effectiveness studies are not widely conducted until there is sufficient uptake. We conducted a retrospective test-negative case-control study to determine relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of recombinant influenza vaccine or RIV4, compared with standard dose vaccines (SD) in a health system with significant RIV4 uptake. Using the electronic medical record (EMR) and the Pennsylvania state immunization registry to confirm influenza vaccination, VE against outpatient medically attended visits was calculated. Immunocompetent outpatients ages 18-64 years seen in hospital-based clinics or emergency departments who were tested for influenza using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 influenza seasons were included. Propensity scores with inverse probability weighting were used to adjust for potential confounders and determine rVE. Among this mostly white and female cohort of 5,515 individuals, 510 were vaccinated with RIV4 and 557 were vaccinated with SD, with the balance of 4,448 (81%) being unvaccinated. Adjusted influenza VE estimates were 37% overall (95% CI = 27, 46), 40% (95% CI = 25, 51) for RIV4 and 35% (95% CI = 20, 47) for standard dose vaccines. Overall, rVE of RIV4 compared to SD was not significantly higher (11%; 95% CI = -20, 33). Influenza vaccines were moderately protective against medically attended outpatient influenza during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. Although the point estimates are higher for RIV4, the large confidence intervals around VE estimates suggest this study was underpowered to detect significant rVE of individual vaccine formulations.

Fracture patterns, associated injuries, management, and treatment outcomes of 530 pediatric mandibular fractures.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular fractures account for up to 48.8% of pediatric facial fractures; however, there are a wide range of available treatment modalities, and few studies describe trends in adverse outcomes of these injuries. This study describes fracture etiology, pattern, management, and treatment outcomes in pediatric mandibular fracture patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients under 18 years of age who were evaluated for mandibular fractures at a pediatric level I trauma center between 2006 and 2021. Variables studied included demographics, etiology, medical history, associated facial fractures, other associated injuries, treatments, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 530 pediatric patients with 829 mandibular fractures were included in the analysis. Most isolated mandibular fractures were treated with physical therapy (PT) and rest (n=253, 47.7%). Patients with combination fractures, specifically those involving the parasymphysis and angle, were 2.63 times more likely to undergo surgical management compared to patients with a single facial fracture (p<0.0001). Older age (p<0.001), gender (p=0.042), mechanism (p=0.008) and cause of injury (p=0.002), as well as specific fractures (e.g., isolated angle (p=0.001)) were more associated with adverse outcomes. The odds of adverse outcomes were higher for patients treated with CREF or ORIF compared to conservative management (OR=1.8; 95% Cl 1.0-3.2 and OR=2.1; 95% Cl 1.2-3.5, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fracture type, mechanism of injury, and treatment modality in pediatric mandibular fractures are associated with distinct rates and types of adverse outcomes. Large scale studies characterizing these injuries are critical for guiding physicians in the management of these patients.

Blood Inflammatory Biomarkers Differentiate Inpatient and Outpatient Coronavirus Disease 2019 From Influenza.

Background: The ongoing circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a diagnostic challenge because symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases. Our goal was to use statistical analyses and machine learning to identify biomarkers that distinguish patients with COVID-19 from patients with influenza. Methods: Cytokine levels were analyzed in plasma and serum samples from patients with influenza and COVID-19, which were collected as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (inpatient network) and the US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (outpatient network). Results: We determined that interleukin (IL)-10 family cytokines are significantly different between COVID-19 and influenza patients. The results suggest that the IL-10 family cytokines are a potential diagnostic biomarker to distinguish COVID-19 and influenza infection, especially for inpatients. We also demonstrate that cytokine combinations, consisting of up to 3 cytokines, can distinguish SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infection with high accuracy in both inpatient (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC] = 0.84) and outpatient (AUC = 0.81) groups, revealing another potential screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: This study not only reveals prospective screening tools for COVID-19 infections that are independent of polymerase chain reaction testing or clinical condition, but it also emphasizes potential pathways involved in disease pathogenesis that act as potential targets for future mechanistic studies.

Effect of mild COVID-19 on health-related quality of life.

Background: Little is known about the effects of a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection on health-related quality of life. Methods: This prospective observational study of symptomatic adults (18-87 years) who sought outpatient care for an acute respiratory illness, was conducted from 3/30/2020 to 4/30/2021. Participants completed the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at enrollment and 6-8 weeks later, to report their physical and mental health function levels as measured by the physical health and mental health composite scores (PHC and MHC, respectively). PHC and MHC scores for COVID-19 cases and non-COVID cases were compared using t-tests. Multivariable regression modeling was used to determine predictors of physical and mental health function at follow-up. Results: Of 2301 enrollees, 426 COVID-19 cases and 547 non-COVID cases completed both surveys. PHC improved significantly from enrollment to follow-up for both COVID-19 cases (5.4 ± 0.41; P < 0.001) and non-COVID cases (3.3 ± 0.32; P < 0.001); whereas MHC improved significantly for COVID-19 cases (1.4 ± 0.51; P < 0.001) and decreased significantly for non-COVID cases (-0.8 ± 0.37; P < 0.05). Adjusting for enrollment PHC, the most important predictors of PHC at follow-up included male sex (ß = 1.17; SE = 0.5; P = 0.021), having COVID-19 (ß = 1.99; SE = 0.54; P < 0.001); and non-white race (ß = -2.01; SE = 0.70; P = 0.004). Adjusting for enrollment MHC, the most important predictors of MHC at follow-up included male sex (ß = 1.92; SE = 0.63; P = 0.002) and having COVID-19 (ß = 2.42; SE = 0.67; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Both COVID-19 cases and non-COVID cases reported improved physical health function at 6-8 weeks' convalescence; whereas mental health function improved among COVID-19 cases but declined among non-COVID cases. Both physical and mental health functioning were significantly better among males with COVID-19 than females.

Reduced effectiveness of repeat influenza vaccination: distinguishing among within-season waning, recent clinical infection, and subclinical infection.

Studies have reported that prior-season influenza vaccination is associated with higher risk of clinical influenza infection among vaccinees. This effect might arise from incomplete consideration of within-season waning and recent infection. Using data from the US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) Network (2011-2012 to 2018-2019 seasons), we found that repeat vaccinees were vaccinated earlier in a season by one week. After accounting for waning VE, repeat vaccinees were still more likely to test positive for A(H3N2) (OR=1.11, 95%CI:1.02-1.21) but not for influenza B or A(H1N1). We found that clinical infection influences individuals' decision to vaccinate in the following season while protecting against clinical infection of the same (sub)type. However, adjusting for recent clinical infections did not strongly influence the estimated effect of prior-season vaccination. In contrast, we found that adjusting for subclinical infection could theoretically attenuate this effect. Additional investigation is needed to determine the impact of subclinical infections on VE.

Incidence and Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in US Child Care Centers After COVID-19 Vaccines.

Importance: SARS-CoV-2 surveillance studies in US child care centers (CCCs) in the post-COVID-19 vaccine era are needed to provide information on incidence and transmission in this setting. Objective: To characterize SARS-CoV-2 incidence and transmission in children attending CCCs (students) and their child care providers (CCPs) and household contacts. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective surveillance cohort study was conducted from April 22, 2021, through March 31, 2022, and included 11 CCCs in 2 cities. A subset (surveillance group) of CCPs and students participated in active surveillance (weekly reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] swabs, symptom diaries, and optional baseline and end-of-study SARS-CoV-2 serologic testing), as well as all household contacts of surveillance students. Child care center directors reported weekly deidentified self-reported COVID-19 cases from all CCPs and students (self-report group). Exposure: SARS-CoV-2 infection in CCC students. Main Outcomes and Measures: SARS-CoV-2 incidence, secondary attack rates, and transmission patterns were determined from diary entries, self-reports to CCC directors, and case logs. Incidence rate ratios were measured using Poisson regression clustering on centers with a random intercept and unstructured matrix. Results: From a total population of 1154 students and 402 CCPs who self-reported cases to center directors, 83 students (7.2%; mean [SD] age, 3.86 [1.64] years; 55 male [66%]), their 134 household contacts (118 adults [mean (SD) age, 38.39 (5.07) years; 62 female (53%)], 16 children [mean (SD) age, 4.73 (3.37) years; 8 female (50%)]), and 21 CCPs (5.2%; mean [SD] age, 38.5 [12.9] years; 18 female [86%]) participated in weekly active surveillance. There were 154 student cases (13%) and 87 CCP cases (22%), as defined by positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR or home antigen results. Surveillance students had a higher incidence rate than self-report students (incidence rate ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3; P = .01). Students were more likely than CCPs to have asymptomatic infection (34% vs 8%, P < .001). The CCC secondary attack rate was 2.7% to 3.0%, with the upper range representing possible but not definite secondary cases. Whether the index case was a student or CCP, transmission within the CCC was not significantly different. Household cumulative incidence was 20.5%, with no significant difference in incidence rate ratio between adults and children. Household secondary attack rates were 50% for children and 67% for adults. Of 30 household cases, only 5 (17%) represented secondary infections caused by 3 students who acquired SARS-CoV-2 from their CCC. Pre- and poststudy seroprevalence rates were 3% and 22%, respectively, with 90% concordance with antigen or RT-PCR results. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of SARS-CoV-2 incidence and transmission in CCCs and students' households, transmission within CCCs and from children infected at CCCs into households was low. These findings suggest that current testing and exclusion recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 in CCCs should be aligned with those for other respiratory viruses with similar morbidity and greater transmission to households.

Correlates and outcomes of depressed out-patients with greater and fewer anxious symptoms: a CO-MED report.

The objective of this paper was to determine whether the presence of more vs. fewer anxious symptom features, at baseline, are associated with other clinical features and treatment outcomes in out-patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This single-blind, randomized trial enrolled 665 MDD out-patients to compare the efficacy of two antidepressant medication combinations against escitalopram after 12-wk acute treatment and follow-up (total 28 wk). The sample was divided into those with greater (vs. fewer) anxiety features using the anxiety/somatization subscale of the baseline 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Baseline sociodemographic and clinical features, treatment features and outcomes compared these two groups. Overall, 74.7% of participants met the threshold for 'anxious features'. They were more likely to be female, have other concurrent anxiety disorders, more severe depression, more lethargic and melancholic features and poorer cognitive and physical functioning, quality of life and work and social adjustment. In acute treatment, participants with anxious features received comparatively higher doses of mirtazapine and venlafaxine and reported more side-effects. The groups with and without anxious features did not differ in treatment outcomes and side-effect burden. Despite being associated with a distinct clinical profile, baseline anxious features were not clinically useful in predicting acute treatment outcomes or differential treatment response.