Mixed-Genotype HCV Direct Acting Antiviral Outcomes: A CANUHC Analysis.

The prevalence of mixed hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype infection in a representative Canadian HCV cohort is reported and virological response with direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment was evaluated. 3272 HCV-positive participants were enrolled, of which 2945 (90.0%) initiated DAA therapy.

Vaccine Effectiveness of non-adjuvanted and adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines in the prevention of influenza-related hospitalization in older adults: A pooled analysis from the Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN).

Background: Influenza vaccines prevent influenza-related morbidity and mortality; however, suboptimal vaccine effectiveness (VE) of non-adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (naTIV) or quadrivalent formulations in older adults prompted the use of enhanced products such as adjuvanted TIV (aTIV). Here, the VE of aTIV is compared to naTIV for preventing influenza-associated hospitalization among older adults.

Methods: A test-negative design study was used with pooled data from the 2012 to 2015 influenza seasons.

Leveraging Influenza Virus Surveillance From 2012 to 2015 to Characterize the Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease in Canadian Adults ≥50 Years of Age Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Illness.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in older adults is undercharacterized. To help inform future immunization policies, this study aimed to describe the disease burden in Canadian adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized with RSV.

Methods: Using administrative data and nasopharyngeal swabs collected from active surveillance among adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized with an acute respiratory illness (ARI) during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 influenza seasons, RSV was identified using a respiratory virus multiplex polymerase chain reaction test to describe the associated disease burden, incidence, and healthcare costs.

A new paradigm of hearing loss and preservation with cochlear implants: Learnings from fundamental studies and clinical research.

In 2010 Cochlear initiated a coordinated preclinical research program to identify the factors and underlying mechanisms of acoustic hearing loss following cochlear implantation and device use. At its inception the program was structured around several major hypotheses implicated in the loss of acoustic hearing. The understanding of causes evolved over the course of the program, leading to an increased appreciation of the role of the biological response in post-implant hearing loss.

Timing of elimination of hepatitis C virus in Canada's provinces.

Infection with chronic hepatitis C virus is a global public health concern. A recent study concluded that Canada is on track to achieve hepatitis C elimination goals set by the World Health Organization if treatment levels are maintained. However, recently a falling temporal trend in treatments in Canada was observed, with most provinces seeing a decrease before the global coronavirus pandemic.

Fluorescence hybridization and microbial community profiling analysis of explanted cochlear implants.

Background: Cochlear implant (CI) infections affect a small, but significant number of patients. Unremitting infections can lead to explantation. Fluorescence hybridization (FISH) and microbial community profiling (MCP) are methods of studying microbial environments of explanted devices that can provide information to reduce morbidity and costs of infected CIs.

Effects of chronic implantation and long-term stimulation of a cochlear implant in the partial hearing cat model.

The expansion of criteria for cochlear implantation has resulted in increasing numbers of cochlear implant subjects having some level of residual hearing. The present study examined the effects of implantation surgery and long-term electrical stimulation on residual hearing in a partially deafened cat model. Eighteen animals were partially deafened, implanted and chronically stimulated.

Antimicrobial utilization and stewardship in patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections managed by pharmacists in the community: A sub-study of the ROUTMAP trial.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) often lead to suboptimal antibacterial use. Pharmacists are accessible primary care professionals who have an important role to play in antimicrobial stewardship. Our objective was to evaluate the appropriateness of pharmacists' antibacterial prescribing for patients with uncomplicated UTI.

Device Design Modifications Informed by In Vitro Testing of Bacterial Attachment Reduce Infection Rates of Cochlear Implants in Clinical Practice.

Recalcitrant chronic infections of implanted medical devices are often linked to the presence of biofilms. The prevention and treatment of medical device-associated infections is a major source of antibiotic use and driver of antimicrobial resistance globally. Lowering the incidence of infection in patients that receive implanted medical devices could therefore significantly improve antibiotic stewardship and reduce patient morbidity.

Differences among hepatitis C patients seen in community and specialist outpatient care settings.

Background: In the province of New Brunswick, care for patients infected with hepatitis C is provided in both community-based care settings and specialist-based care settings, but little is known about the differences between these populations. The aim of the current study is to characterize the demographic, socioeconomic, mental health and substance use factors of patients seen in these settings.

Methods: Enrolling sites for this study included four specialist office-based clinics and one community-based clinic in three communities in New Brunswick.

Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of the management of uncomplicated urinary tract infection by community pharmacists.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common infections treated in primary care and the emergency department. The ROUTMAP study demonstrated that management of uncomplicated UTI by community pharmacists resulted in high clinical cure rates similar to those reported in the literature and a high degree of patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of community pharmacist-initiated compared to family or emergency physician-initiated management of uncomplicated UTI.

Outcomes of Urinary Tract Infection Management by Pharmacists (ROUTMAP): A study of pharmacist prescribing and care in patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections in the community.

Background: Pharmacists have the authorization to prescribe medications for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) in some provinces. However, there are limited data on the outcomes of this care by pharmacists. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and patient satisfaction with pharmacist prescribing and care in patients with uncomplicated UTI.

Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccination on Hospitalizations and Risk Factors for Severe Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With COPD.

Background: The effectiveness of influenza vaccination in reducing influenza-related hospitalizations among patients with COPD is not well described, and influenza vaccination uptake remains suboptimal.

Methods: Data were analyzed from a national, prospective, multicenter cohort study including patients with COPD, hospitalized with any acute respiratory illness or exacerbation between 2011 and 2015. All patients underwent nasopharyngeal swab screening with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for influenza.

The clinical impact of a urinary tract infection management bundle in a tertiary-care teaching hospital.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a urinary tract infection (UTI) management bundle to reduce the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) and to improve the management of symptomatic UTIs.

Design: Before-and-after intervention study.SettingsTertiary-care hospital.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness to prevent influenza-related hospitalizations and serious outcomes in Canadian adults over the 2011/12 through 2013/14 influenza seasons: A pooled analysis from the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS Network).

Background: Ongoing assessment of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) is critical to inform public health policy. This study aimed to determine the VE of trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) for preventing influenza-related hospitalizations and other serious outcomes over three consecutive influenza seasons.

Methods: The Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) conducted active surveillance for influenza in adults ≥16 years (y) of age during the 2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons in hospitals across Canada.

Early Successes in an Open Access, Provincially Funded Hepatitis C Treatment Program in Prince Edward Island.

Introduction: The availability of curative hepatitis C therapies has created an opportunity to improve treatment delivery and access. Local providers, government, industry, and community groups in Prince Edward Island developed an innovative province-wide care model. Our goal was to describe the first year of program implementation.

Resource utilization and cost of influenza requiring hospitalization in Canadian adults: A study from the serious outcomes surveillance network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network.

Background: Consideration of cost determinants is crucial to inform delivery of public vaccination programs.

Objectives: To estimate the average total cost of laboratory-confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization in Canadians prior to, during, and 30 days following discharge. To analyze effects of patient/disease characteristics, treatment, and regional differences in costs.

Perilymph pharmacokinetics of marker applied through a cochlear implant in guinea pigs.

Patients undergoing cochlear implantation could benefit from a simultaneous application of drugs into the ear, helping preserve residual low-frequency hearing and afferent nerve fiber populations. One way to apply drugs is to incorporate a cannula into the implant, through which drug solution is driven. For such an approach, perilymph concentrations achieved and the distribution in the ear over time have not previously been documented.

Early Successes in an Open Access, Provincially Funded Hepatitis C Treatment Program in Prince Edward Island.

Introduction: The availability of curative hepatitis C therapies has created an opportunity to improve delivery and access. Local providers, government, industry, and community groups in Prince Edward Island developed an innovative province-wide care model. Our goal was to describe the first year of program implementation.

Magnitude and Trends in Heavy Episodic Drinking, Alcohol-Impaired Driving, and Alcohol-Related Mortality and Overdose Hospitalizations Among Emerging Adults of College Ages 18-24 in the United States, 1998-2014.

Objective: This article estimates percentages of U.S. emerging adults ages 18-24 engaging in past-month heavy episodic drinking and past-year alcohol-impaired driving, and numbers experiencing alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths and overdose hospitalizations between 1998 and 2014.

Antimicrobial peptide melimine coating for titanium and its in vivo antibacterial activity in rodent subcutaneous infection models.

Implant-associated infections represent a significant health problem and financial burden on healthcare systems. Current strategies for the treatment or prevention of such infections are still inadequate and new strategies are needed in this era of antibiotic resistance. Melimine, a synthetic antimicrobial peptide with broad spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi and protozoa, has been shown to be a promising candidate for development as antimicrobial coating for biomedical devices and implants.

Transitioning to highly effective therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a policy statement and implementation guideline.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases all-cause mortality, rates of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation and overall health care utilization. Morbidity and mortality disproportionately affect individuals born between 1945 and 1975. The recent development of well-tolerated and highly effective therapies for chronic HCV infection represents a unique opportunity to dramatically reduce rates of HCV-related complications and their costs.

The characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae that produce KPC-2 imported from Greece.

We report a case of lower urinary tract infection due to KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae (KpCG02) in an elderly patient who had recently been hospitalized in Greece. The patient was treated successfully on an outpatient basis by removing the Foley catheter and with a prophylactic dose of gentamicin.