Liver kinase B1 rs9282860 polymorphism and risk for multiple sclerosis in White and Black Americans.

Background: We previously reported that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9282860 in serine threonine kinase 11 (STK11) gene which codes for liver kinase B1 (LKB1) has higher prevalence in White relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients than controls. However it is not known if this SNP is a risk factor for MS in other populations.

Methods: We assessed the prevalence of the STK11 SNP in samples collected from African American (AA) persons with MS (PwMS) and controls at multiple Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers and from a network of academic MS centers.

Respiratory viruses in the patient environment.

Objective: To characterize the presence and magnitude of viruses in the air and on surfaces in the rooms of hospitalized patients with respiratory viral infections, and to explore the association between care activities and viral contamination.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Acute-care academic hospital.