Publications by authors named "Emma Crawley-Boevey"
An outbreak surveillance system for Salmonella integrating whole genome sequencing (WGS) and epidemiological data was developed in South East and London in 2016-17 to assess local WGS clusters for triage and investigation. Cases genetically linked within a 5 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) single linkage cluster were assessed using a set of locally agreed thresholds based on time, person and place, for reporting to local health protection teams (HPTs). Between September 2016 and September 2017, 230 unique 5-SNP clusters (442 weekly reports) of non-typhoidal Salmonella 5-SNP WGS clusters were identified, of which 208 unique 5-SNP clusters (316 weekly reports) were not reported to the HPTs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Care homes have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the potential role of asymptomatic infection and silent transmission in London care homes that reported no cases of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic.
Methods: Five care homes with no cases and two care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19 (non-outbreak homes) were investigated with nasal swabbing for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and serology for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies five weeks later.
Introduction: Previous investigations have identified high rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among residents and staff in care homes reporting an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated care homes reporting a single suspected or confirmed case to assess whether early mass testing might reduce risk of transmission during the peak of the pandemic in London.
Methods: Between 18 and 27 April 2020, residents and staff in care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19 to Public Health England had a nasal swab to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and subsequent whole-genome sequencing.
Article Synopsis
- A study in six London care homes with COVID-19 outbreaks examined the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents and staff, with a follow-up five weeks later to assess antibody levels.
- In the initial investigation, 77.2% of surviving residents and 81.9% of staff participated in serological testing, revealing that nearly all previously infected individuals developed antibodies, regardless of symptom status.
- The findings suggest that RT-PCR testing alone underrepresents actual exposure rates during outbreaks, highlighting that most participants had neutralizing antibodies regardless of their age or symptoms.
Article Synopsis
- Care homes in London experienced significant COVID-19 outbreaks in April 2020, with 39.8% of residents testing positive for SARS CoV-2, and a notable difference in case-fatality rates among symptomatic versus asymptomatic individuals.
- 105 out of 264 residents and 53 out of 254 staff tested positive, with many being asymptomatic, indicating that symptom-based screening may not be enough to control outbreaks.
- Whole genome sequencing revealed multiple introductions of different SARS-CoV-2 strains in individual care homes, emphasizing the complexity of infection control in these settings.
Article Synopsis
- Care homes faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with ongoing outbreaks even as community infection rates fell, highlighting their role in virus transmission.
- An assessment of infection risks among staff in six London care homes found 21% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, mostly without symptoms, with higher positivity rates in staff who worked across multiple homes compared to those in a single home.
- Whole genome sequencing revealed local infection clusters among staff, emphasizing the need for stringent infection control measures that include all interactions, not just those with residents.
A study was undertaken to determine the risk factors and trends in antimicrobial resistance for enteric fever. Demographic, antimicrobial susceptibility, typing and epidemiological data were examined for 2005-2012 in patients with enteric fever in London. Single and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors associated with antibiotic resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objective of this study was to characterize the resurgence of infectious syphilis in the United Kingdom between 1997 and 2003.
Study: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of routine surveillance data from genitourinary medicine clinics and data collected through enhanced surveillance.
Results: Between 1997 and 2002, diagnoses of primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis made at genitourinary medicine clinics increased by 213% in heterosexual males, 1412% in men who have sex with men (MSM), and 22% in females.