An Outbreak of Covid-19 on an Aircraft Carrier.

Background: An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) occurred on the U.S.S.

Hepatitis B seroprevalence in the U.S. military and its impact on potential screening strategies.

Introduction: Knowledge of the contemporary epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among military personnel can inform potential Department of Defense (DoD) screening policy and infection and disease control strategies.

Materials And Methods: HBV infection status at accession and following deployment was determined by evaluating reposed serum from 10,000 service members recently deployed to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in the period from 2007 to 2010. A cost model was developed from the perspective of the Department of Defense for a program to integrate HBV infection screening of applicants for military service into the existing screening program of screening new accessions for vaccine-preventable infections.

Next-generation sequencing of HIV-1 single genome amplicons.

The analysis of HIV-1 sequences has helped understand the viral molecular epidemiology, monitor the development of antiretroviral drug resistance, and design candidate vaccines. The introduction of single genome amplification (SGA) has been a major advancement in the field, allowing for the characterization of multiple sequences per patient while preserving linkage among polymorphisms in the same viral genome copy. Sequencing of SGA amplicons is performed by capillary Sanger sequencing, which presents low throughput, requires a high amount of template, and is highly sensitive to template/primer mismatching.

Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Increase Cortical Perfusion in Renovascular Disease.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (RVD) reduces renal blood flow (RBF) and GFR and accelerates poststenotic kidney (STK) tissue injury. Preclinical studies indicate that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can stimulate angiogenesis and modify immune function in experimental RVD. We assessed the safety and efficacy of adding intra-arterial autologous adipose-derived MSCs into STK to standardized medical treatment in human subjects without revascularization.

D-Dimer Levels before HIV Seroconversion Remain Elevated Even after Viral Suppression and Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Non-AIDS Events.

The mechanism underlying the excess risk of non-AIDS diseases among HIV infected people is unclear. HIV associated inflammation/hypercoagulability likely plays a role. While antiretroviral therapy (ART) may return this process to pre-HIV levels, this has not been directly demonstrated.

Costs and consequences: Hepatitis C seroprevalence in the military and its impact on potential screening strategies.

Unlabelled: Knowledge of the contemporary epidemiology of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection among military personnel can inform potential Department of Defense screening policy. HCV infection status at the time of accession and following deployment was determined by evaluating reposed serum from 10,000 service members recently deployed to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in the period 2007-2010. A cost model was developed from the perspective of the Department of Defense for a military applicant screening program.

Perceived risk of watery diarrhea and dysentery and intended compliance with chemoprophylaxis among a deployed military population.

Background: Infectious diseases are a leading cause of morbidity among travelers to resource-limited regions and primary prevention is a cornerstone to risk reduction. Chemoprophylaxis has been successfully utilized for specific diseases.

Methods: We assessed self-reported compliance to daily chemoprophylaxis among deployed US military personnel.

Effects of pre-deployment loperamide provision on use and travelers' diarrhea outcomes among U.S. military personnel deployed to Turkey.

Objective: This study assessed the efficacy of education and self-treatment with loperamide on diarrhea morbidity and healthcare utilization in a deployed military setting.

Method: In this prospective, controlled study, volunteers from military personnel deployed to Incirlik Air Base received either travelers' diarrhea education (non-loperamide group) or education plus a supply of loperamide (loperamide group). Volunteers were surveyed to determine frequency and outcomes of diarrheal illness.

Pathogenicity and phenotypic characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from a birth cohort of children in rural Egypt.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) has consistently been the predominant bacterial cause of diarrhea in many birth cohort- and hospital-based studies conducted in Egypt. We evaluated the pathogenicity of ETEC isolates in a birth cohort of children living in a rural community in Egypt. Between 2004 and 2007, we enrolled and followed 348 children starting at birth until their second year of life.

Molecular epidemiology of early and acute HIV type 1 infections in the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 2005-2010.

The U.S. military represents a unique population within the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) pandemic.

Willingness to receive a hypothetical avian influenza vaccine among US military personnel in mid-deployment.

Though no avian influenza vaccine currently exists, development efforts have increased. Given recent reports of suboptimal vaccination rates among US military personnel, we sought to assess factors associated with a willingness to receive a hypothetical avian influenza vaccine. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by US military personnel during mid-deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding regions.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from U.S. military personnel participating in Operation Bright Star, Egypt, from 2005 to 2009.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major health problem for travelers to the Middle East. During the autumn months of 2005, 2007, and 2009, U.S.

Genotypic characterization of Egypt enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates expressing coli surface antigen 6.

Introduction: One approach to control enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections has been to develop vaccines focused on inducing protective immunity against surface expressed antigenic factors. One such factor is coli surface antigen 6 (CS6); ETEC isolates expressing CS6 may also simultaneously co-express surface antigens CS4 or CS5. However, there is little information regarding the inter-relationships of isolates expressing the CS6 antigen alone or in combination with CS4 or CS5.

Epidemiology of contemporary seroincident HIV infection in the Navy and Marine corps.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection continues at a steady rate among U.S. Sailors and Marines.

Transgene-free disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology enables derivation of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells from adult somatic cells without using an embryonic cell source. Redifferentiation of iPSCs from diabetic patients into pancreatic islets will allow patient-specific disease modeling and autologous cell replacement therapy for failing islets. To date, diabetes-specific iPSCs have been generated from patients with type 1 diabetes using integrating retroviral vectors.

A pilot online survey assessing risk factors for HIV acquisition in the Navy and Marine Corps, 2005-2010.

The Department of Defense policy Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) ended in September, 2011. The Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center conducted a post-DADT pilot survey of HIV seroconverters identified when the DADT policy was in effect. Sailors and Marines newly diagnosed as HIV positive from 2005 to 2010 were invited to participate in an online survey.

Specific IgA antibodies in the diagnosis of acute brucellosis.

An Egyptian female with night sweats, headache, and back pain was diagnosed with acute brucellosis one week after returning from a North African country. Humoral immune responses to specific immunogenic proteins were investigated before and after treatment. ELISA was performed to detect levels of specific antibody (Ab) titers.

Reprogrammed keratinocytes from elderly type 2 diabetes patients suppress senescence genes to acquire induced pluripotency.

Nuclear reprogramming enables patient-specific derivation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from adult tissue. Yet, iPS generation from patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has not been demonstrated. Here, we report reproducible iPS derivation of epidermal keratinocytes (HK) from elderly T2D patients.

Successful disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell generation from patients with kidney transplantation.

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major public health problem. Although kidney transplantation is a viable therapeutic option, this therapy is associated with significant limitations, including a shortage of donor organs. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, which allows derivation of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells, could provide a possible alternative modality for kidney replacement therapy for patients with ESRD.

Self-reported incidence of skin and soft tissue infections among deployed US military.

The incidence of skin and soft tissue infections has steadily increased over the past decade, and military populations, particularly recruits, have been affected. However, the epidemiology of skin and soft tissue infections in deployed personnel has not previously been described. We conducted a cross-sectional study of United States military personnel in mid-deployment using self-reported questionnaire data containing 11 demographic questions and 20 questions related to skin and soft tissue infections.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of travelers' diarrhea management among frontline providers.

Background: Many studies have found acute gastrointestinal infections to be among the most likely reason for clinic visits among forward deployed soldiers and are considered a significant contributor to morbidity in this population. This occurs despite the controlled food and water distribution systems under which military populations operate. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that providers often fail to appropriately identify and treat the typical causes of these infections.

Pre-deployment vaccinations and perception of risk among US military personnel.

Background: Vaccination programs have significantly reduced the incidence of numerous infectious diseases; however, public attitudes toward immunization oftentimes remain contentious. Concerns over vaccine safety and effectiveness, compounded with reduced perceived risk of disease, influence decision making and frequently override public health recommendations. Although vaccinations are compulsory for US military personnel, their concerns mirror the general population, resulting in sub-optimal coverage.

Discovery and phylogenetic analysis of novel members of class b enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli adhesive fimbriae.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is recognized to be a common cause of acute watery diarrhea in children from developing countries. Colonization factors (CFAs) have been identified predominantly in ETEC isolates secreting heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) or cosecreting ST with a heat-labile toxin (LT). We hypothesized that LT-only-secreting ETEC produces unique colonization factors not previously described in ST and LTST-secreting ETEC.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of rifaximin for the prevention of travelers' diarrhea in US military personnel deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Incirlik, Turkey.

Background: Infectious diarrhea is an important problem among travelers and deployed US military overseas causing substantial morbidity due to acute illness and may result in burdensome postinfectious sequelae.

Methods: The nonsystemic antibiotic rifaximin was evaluated for prevention of travelers' diarrhea (TD) in a US military and civilian adult beneficiary population in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. In all, 100 volunteers deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, received rifaximin 1,100 mg once daily or placebo for 2 weeks, and participants were followed daily for 2 weeks.

Design and validation of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction for the identification of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and associated colonization factor antigens.

Development of a genetic tool for the detection of genes encoding enterotoxins and colonization factors would greatly enhance enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) surveillance. Oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify genes encoding human ST, porcine ST, LT and the structural genes of colonization factor antigen (CFA)/I, CS1 to CS8, CS12 to CS15, CS17 to CS22, and PCFO71. Screening 89 ETEC isolates phenotypically expressing a known CFA showed that, without exception, the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) detected the structural gene of the expressed CFA, in addition to CS21 in 22.