Publications by authors named "Anne E McCarthy"
Background: The continued increase in global migration compels clinicians to be aware of specific health problems faced by refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM). This analysis aimed to characterize RIM evaluated at GeoSentinel sites, their migration history, and infectious diseases detected through screening and diagnostic workups.
Methods: A case report form was used to collect data on demographics, migration route, infectious diseases screened, test results, and primary infectious disease diagnosis for RIM patients seen at GeoSentinel sites.
Background: Vaccine safety surveillance is a core component of vaccine pharmacovigilance. In Canada, active, participant-centered vaccine surveillance is available for influenza vaccines and has been used for COVID-19 vaccines.
Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of using a mobile app for reporting participant-centered seasonal influenza adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) compared to a web-based notification system.
Artesunate is the drug of choice for treating patients with severe malaria. Post-artesunate delayed hemolysis (PADH) is an uncommon adverse event from malaria treatment. Most patients with PADH are non-immune travelers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- This study examines data on pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease in Canadian hospitalized adults from 2010 to 2017, highlighting the importance of active surveillance for understanding disease trends.
- It finds that adults aged 65 and older are significantly affected by both bacteremic and non-bacteremic community-acquired pneumonia (pCAP), with a notable decline in certain serotypes from 2010 to 2014, followed by a plateau from 2015 to 2017.
- The study concludes that monitoring both types of pCAP is crucial, especially as current vaccination strategies show insufficient herd protection, necessitating further attention to vaccination efforts in adults.
BackgroundThe Canadian National Vaccine Safety (CANVAS) network monitors the safety of seasonal influenza vaccines in Canada.AimTo provide enhanced surveillance for seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza vaccines.MethodsIn 2017/18 and 2018/19 influenza seasons, adults (≥ 15 years of age) and parents of children vaccinated with the seasonal influenza vaccine participated in an observational study using web-based active surveillance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: International travellers contribute to the rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its sentinel identification globally. We describe ZIKV infections among international travellers seen at GeoSentinel sites with a focus on ZIKV acquired in the Americas and the Caribbean, describe countries of exposure and traveller characteristics, and assess ZIKV diagnostic testing by site.
Methods: Records with an international travel-related diagnosis of confirmed or probable ZIKV from January 2012 through December 2019 reported to GeoSentinel with a recorded illness onset date were included to show reported cases over time.
Background: Traumatic cervicogenic dizziness is dizziness that is temporally associated with neck pain and injury after other causes of dizziness have been excluded. It can lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions that may include lost duty or work days. The objective of this systematic review is to determine which interventions are most effective in decreasing dizziness or vertigo and neck pain in military-aged adults with traumatic cervicogenic dizziness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Concern about adverse events following immunization is frequently cited by both those who receive or decline vaccines. Neurological adverse events are especially concerning.
Objectives: Our aim was to detect associations between seasonal influenza vaccination and the occurrence of severe anesthesia/paresthesia or severe headaches.
Objectives: To gain the perspectives of patients who underwent lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery and physical therapists who treat spine-related disorders regarding rehabilitation and other care prior to LSS surgery.
Design: Qualitative focus group study.
Methods: Sixteen patients (4 female; average ± SD age, 64.
Background: The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was recently shown to be effective against PCV13-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and pneumococcal community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in healthy adults aged ≥65 years, prompting many countries to re-assess adult immunization. In Canada, the potential benefits of adult PCV13 immunization were unclear given anticipated herd immunity from PCV13 childhood immunization introduced since 2010. This study describes the serotype distribution and clinical outcomes of Canadian adults aged ≥16 years, who were hospitalized with CAP and IPD from 2010 to 2015.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Due to ongoing political instability and conflict in many parts of the world, migrants are increasingly seeking asylum and refuge in Canada.
Methods: We examined demographic and travel correlates of illnesses among migrants to Canada to establish a detailed epidemiologic framework of this population for Canadian practitioners. Data on ill-returned Canadian travellers presenting to a CanTravNet site between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were analyzed.
Canadians are increasingly travelling to areas that would necessitate a pre-travel consultation. Changes in professional regulations in Canada allow greater autonomy of nurses and pharmacists, resulting in shifts in provision of travel health services. We surveyed 824 Canadian travel clinics, 270 (33%) of whom responded.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Zika virus (ZIKV) was first isolated in Africa; decades later, caused large outbreaks in the Pacific, and is considered endemic in Asia. We aim to describe ZIKV disease epidemiology outside the Americas, the importance of travelers as sentinels of disease transmission, and discrepancies in travel advisories from major international health organizations.
Methods And Findings: This descriptive analysis using GeoSentinel Surveillance Network records involves sixty-four travel and tropical medicine clinics in 29 countries.
Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to describe the incidence and common types of medical chart-reviewed musculoskeletal injuries, among four distinct groups of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) personnel: Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Operators, SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) students, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) Operators, and Crewman Qualification Training (CQT) students.
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 920 NSW personnel.
Background: There is increasing recognition of the contribution of community-acquired cases to the global burden of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The epidemiology of CDI among international travellers is poorly understood, and factors associated with international travel, such as antibiotic use and changes in gut microbiota, could potentially put travellers at higher risk.
Methods: We summarized demographic, travel-associated and geographic characteristics of travellers with CDI in the GeoSentinel database from 1997 to 2015.
Background: Widespread transmission of Zika virus in the Americas has occurred since late 2015. We examined demographic and travel-related characteristics of returned Canadian travellers with Zika infection acquired in the Americas to illuminate risk factors for acquisition and the clinical spectrum.
Methods: We analyzed demographic and travel-related data for returned Canadian travellers who presented to a CanTravNet site between October 2015 and September 2016 for care of Zika virus acquired in the Americas.
Background: Malaria remains the most common specific cause of fever in returned travellers and can be life-threatening. We examined demographic and travel correlates of malaria among Canadian travellers and immigrants to identify groups for targeted pretravel intervention.
Methods: Descriptive data on ill returned Canadian travellers and immigrants presenting to a CanTravNet site between 2004 and 2014 with a diagnosis of malaria were analyzed.
Background: Imported malaria is the principal, preventable, life-threatening infection among Canadians travelling abroad. The Canadian Malaria Network supplies information and parenteral malaria therapy to healthcare providers treating severe and complicated malaria and gathers surveillance information on these cases.
Methods: Data were collected on the characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of severe malaria cases in Canada from June 2001 to December 2013.
Background: There is a lack of multicentre analyses of the spectrum of dermatologic illnesses acquired by Canadian travellers and immigrants. Our objective for this study was to provide a comprehensive, Canada-specific surveillance summary of travel-related dermatologic conditions in a cohort of returned Canadian travellers and immigrants.
Methods: Data for Canadian travellers and immigrants with a primary dermatologic diagnosis presenting to CanTravNet sites between September 2009 and September 2012 were extracted and analyzed.
Background: Healthcare personnel influenza immunization rates remain sub-optimal. Following multiple studies and expert consultations, the "Successful Influenza Immunization Programs for Healthcare Personnel: A Guide for Program Planners" was produced. This trial assessed the impact of the Guide with facilitation in improving healthcare personnel influenza immunization rates in Canadian healthcare organizations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Partnerships for postgraduate medical education between institutions in high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries are increasingly common models that can create capacity in human resources for health. Nevertheless, data are currently limited to guide the development of this kind of educational program.
Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with visiting and local faculty members in the externally supported University of Zambia Master of Medicine Anesthesia Program.
Background: Important knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of migration medicine practice and the impact of pathogens imported by Canadian travellers. We present here a comprehensive, Canada-specific surveillance summary of illness in a cohort of returned Canadian travellers and new immigrants.
Methods: We extracted and analyzed (using standard parametric and nonparametric techniques) data from the Canadian Travel Medicine Network (CanTravNet) database for ill returned Canadian travellers and new immigrants who presented to a Canadian GeoSentinel Surveillance Network site between September 2009 and September 2011.