An output evaluation of a health research foundation's enhanced grant review process for new investigators.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the ability of the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation (MMSF, a small not-for-profit foundation affiliated with Manitoba Blue Cross) to determine the best candidates for selection to receive research funding support among new researchers applying to the Research Operating Grants Programme (ROGP). METHODS: Using bibliometric and grants funding analyses, we retrospectively compared indices of academic outputs from five cohorts of MMSF-funded and not MMSF-funded applicants to the annual MMSF ROGP over 2008 to 2012, from 1 to 5 years after having received evaluation decisions from the MMSF enhanced grant review process. RESULTS: Those researchers funded by the MMSF competition (MMSF-funded) had a statistically significant greater number of publications, a higher h-index and greater national Tri-Council (TC) funding, versus those not selected for funding (not MMSF-funded). MMSF-funded applicants and the Manitoba research community have created a strong and rapid (within 1 to 5 years of receiving the MMSF grant) local economic return on investment associated with the MMSF ROGP that supports new investigators, of approximately nine-fold for TC grants by the principal investigator, and of 34-fold for the principal investigator on collaborative (total) TC grants. CONCLUSIONS: The use of small amounts of seed money for competitive research grants at early stages of an MMSF-funded applicant's career correlates with future short-term success of that applicant. The ability to correctly select promising candidates who subsequently demonstrate greater academic performance after the MMSF funding shows the selection process and the ROGP to be of merit. Multiple components may have contributed to this outcome, including a direct presentation and interview process of the candidate with five-person selection subcommittees, plus an assessment by an external reviewer (the enhanced grant review process). The selection methods used here may add value to the research grant selection processes of new researchers.

No association between 2008-09 influenza vaccine and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection, Manitoba, Canada, 2009.

We conducted a population-based study in Manitoba, Canada, to investigate whether use of inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) during the 2008-09 influenza season was associated with subsequent infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus during the first wave of the 2009 pandemic. Data were obtained from a provincewide population-based immunization registry and laboratory-based influenza surveillance system. The test-negative case-control study included 831 case-patients with confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection and 2,479 controls, participants with test results negative for influenza A and B viruses. For the association of TIV receipt with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection, the fully adjusted odds ratio was 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.4). Among case-patients, receipt of 2008-09 TIV was associated with a statistically nonsignificant 49% reduction in risk for hospitalization. In agreement with study findings outside Canada, our study in Manitoba indicates that the 2008-09 TIV neither increased nor decreased the risk for infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus.

Splenic infarction secondary to COVID-19 complicated by Clostridium Paraputrificum infection.

A 58-year-old woman with COVID-19 presented with an acute abdomen. Her spleen was found to be infarcted with a large fluid and gas collection. Treatment included broad-spectrum antibiotics and CT-guided drainage. Definitive treatment was splenectomy. We postulate that COVID-19 related splenic infarction created ideal conditions for Clostridium paraputrificum to cause a splenic abscess.

First description of an extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Escherichia fergusonii strain in a patient with cystitis.

Extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms have captured the attention of clinicians and laboratorians and are agents of nosocomial and community onset infections (J. D. Pitout and K. B. Laupland, Lancet Infect. Dis. 8:159-166, 2008). ESBLs in many enterobacteriaceae and in nonfermenting Gram-negative organisms have been described (K. Bush and G. A. Jacoby, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 54:969-976, 2010). We present the first case of a clinical isolate of multidrug-resistant Escherichia fergusonii expressing an extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL).

Clostridioides difficile toxin testing and positivity in Manitoba, Canada.

We assessed Clostridioides difficile toxin testing and positivity for all patients in Manitoba hospitals during June 2016-November 2018. The testing rate was 30 per 10,000 patient bed days (95% confidence interval [CI], 30-31) and the incidence rate was 3.5 per 10,000 patient bed days (95% CI, 3.3-3.7). The context of testing is essential to the interpretation of data among jurisdictions.

Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst in rural Manitoba, Canada: Case report and review of the literature.

Echinococcal infections are a rare but important disease in Canada. The parasite's traditional endemic area includes rural, northern communities with wild canines and ungulates. There is evidence that the endemic area is enlarging. Echinococcus can cause significant morbidity, and rarely death. An 18-year-old female presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a 5.4 × 4 cm cyst with the presence of "water lily sign". She showed signs of cyst leak including eosinophilia and fever. Therefore, she underwent surgical resection of her cyst with Albendazole cover and was continued post-operatively for three months. CT head, chest, and pelvis failed to identify further sites of cyst formation. She has recovered well from surgery and is no longer followed by Infectious Diseases. The annual incidence and prevalence of Echinococcus disease are very low among the Canadian population. Therefore, there is a paucity of experience with new interventional techniques. Traditional management with surgery and anti-helminthic drugs is a reasonable alternative to percutaneous drainage. Screening communities has previously been determined not to be cost effective. Screening family members with similar risk factors has not been previously documented, and treatment has historically been reserved for symptomatic individuals with the disease.

Did the H1N1 Vaccine Reduce the Risk of Admission with Influenza and Pneumonia during the Pandemic?

BACKGROUND: The extent to which A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza vaccines prevented hospital admissions with pneumonia and influenza (P&I) during the 2009 pandemic remains poorly understood. We evaluated the effectiveness of the A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza vaccines (TIV) used during the 2009 mass vaccination campaign in Manitoba (Canada) in preventing P&I hospitalization. METHODS: A population-based record-linkage nested case-control study. Cases (N = 1,812) were persons hospitalized with influenza (ICD-10:J09-J11) or pneumonia (ICD-10:J12-J18) during the study period. Age-, gender- and area of residence-matched controls (N = 7,915) were randomly sampled from Manitoba's Population Registry. Information on receipt of A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine and TIV was obtained from the Manitoba Immunization Monitoring System, a province-wide vaccine registry. RESULTS: Overall, the adjuvanted A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine was 27% (95%CI 13-39%) effective against P&I hospitalization ≥ 14 days following administration. Effectiveness seemed lower among older (≥ 65 years) adults (10%; -16-30%), particularly when compared to under-5 children (58%; 30-75%). The number-needed-to-vaccinate to prevent 1 P&I admission was lowest among <4 year-olds (928) and ≥65 years (1,721). VE against hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 was 70% (39-85%) overall and (91%; 62-98%) ≥ 14 days following vaccination. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that the adjuvanted A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine was effective in preventing about 55-60% of P&I hospitalizations among children and younger adults who were at much higher risk of infection. Unfortunately, the vaccine was less effective among 65 or older adults. Despite that the vaccine still had a significant population-based impact especially among the very young (<5) and the older (≥ 65 years).

Nontoxigenic Vibrio cholerae Septicemia in an Immunocompromised Patient.

We report a recent case of non-O1, non-O139, nontoxigenic Vibrio cholerae septicemia in a post-liver-transplant immunocompromised patient associated with prior seafood consumption. Non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae strains have been reported in several cases of extraintestinal infections and seem to be emerging infectious agents especially in patients with immunocompromising conditions.

Effectiveness of the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines against laboratory-confirmed H1N1 infections: population-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Excellent immune responses following 1 or 2 doses of the monovalent inactivated pandemic H1N1 vaccines have been documented, but the effectiveness of these vaccines against laboratory-confirmed H1N1 infections in the general population is not clear. We evaluated the effectiveness of the pandemic H1N1 and seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines (TIV) used during the 2009 mass vaccination campaign in Manitoba (Canada) in preventing laboratory-confirmed H1N1 infections. METHODS: A population-based case-control study using data from Cadham Provincial Laboratory (CPL) and the Manitoba Immunization Monitoring System (MIMS). All Manitoba residents ≥6 months of age who had a respiratory specimen tested at CPL for H1N1 were included in the study. Cases were individuals who tested positive for pandemic H1N1 influenza A by reverse transcriptase-PCR (N=1435). Controls were individuals who tested negative for both influenza A and B (N=2309). Information on receipt of TIV or H1N1 vaccine was obtained by record linkage with MIMS, the population-based province-wide immunization registry. RESULTS: Overall, the adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine was 86% (95%CI 75-93%) effective in preventing laboratory-confirmed H1N1 infections when vaccination occurred ≥14 days before testing. Effectiveness seemed lower among older (≥50 years) individuals [51% (-51 to 84%)] and among those with immunocompromising conditions [67% (-13 to 90%)]. There was also evidence that the H1N1 vaccine might be less effective among those who had received the 2009/10 TIV. DISCUSSION: The adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine used during Manitoba's H1N1 mass vaccination campaign was highly effective against laboratory-confirmed pandemic H1N1 infection, especially among children and younger adults.

The Manitoba human papillomavirus vaccine surveillance and evaluation system.

BACKGROUND: With the recent introduction of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Canada, it is important to establish surveillance and evaluation programs that not only track the uptake of the vaccine, but also assess its safety and its impact on: distribution of HPV type, cervical cancer screening programs, the incidence of anogenital warts, precancerous lesions and various cancers, and sexual behaviour. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Administrative databases, registries and questionnaire information are being linked to identify people receiving the HPV vaccine and to develop an evaluation system. INTERPRETATION: The availability of extensive linkable databases in Manitoba allows for the development of a comprehensive HPV vaccine surveillance and evaluation system that can address many of the questions related to the HPV vaccine. Aspects of the Manitoba surveillance and evaluation system could be implemented in other provinces that have similar databases.