Public Health Response to Zika Virus Exposure of Air Force Members Deployed to Caribbean Islands, 2016.

Introduction: The emergence of Zika virus disease (ZVD) in areas of military operations provided a new opportunity for force health protection. ZVD infection had an estimated 4:1 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic ratio and can cause neurologic sequelae.

Materials And Methods: We provide a brief report of a field investigation utilizing laboratory-based surveillance and survey instruments to characterize ZVD risk among personnel deployed to the Dominican Republic in support of Operation NEW HORIZONS (NH).

Development of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. and its evaluation on colonies, culture broths, and stool.

Detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) typically depends on identification of virulence genes from stool cultures, not on stool itself. We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that detects key DEC virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eae, bfpA, ipaH, LT, STh, aaiC, aatA). The assay involved a multiplex PCR reaction followed by detection of amplicon(s) using Luminex beads.

An evaluation of the relationship between the implementation of a newly designed prescription drug label at Target pharmacies and health outcomes.

Background: Medication errors represent a major public health concern, and inadequate prescription drug labels have been identified as a root cause of errors. A new prescription medication labeling system was implemented by Target pharmacies in May 2005 and aimed to improve health outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the new Target label influenced patient health services utilization.

Can improved prescription medication labeling influence adherence to chronic medications? An evaluation of the Target pharmacy label.

Background: Prescription medication labels contain valuable health information, and better labels may enhance patient adherence to chronic medications. A new prescription medication labeling system was implemented by Target pharmacies in May 2005 and aimed to improve readability and understanding.

Objective: We evaluated whether the new Target label influenced patient medication adherence.

Telithromycin: the perils of hasty adoption and persistence of off-label prescribing.

Background: Telithromycin (Ketek) was approved in April 2004 for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (ABECB), bacterial sinusitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. The approval of telithromycin was controversial due to trial irregularities, noninferiority study designs, and use of foreign safety data. Safety concerns involving hepatotoxicity, myasthenia gravis exacerbation, and visual disturbances were increasingly documented in the literature after approval.