Dynamics of the Oral Microbiome During Initial Military Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Introduction: Military trainees are at increased risk for infectious disease outbreaks because of the unique circumstances of the training environment (e.g., close proximity areas and physiologic/psychologic stress).

Profiling of serum factors associated with skin and soft tissue infections as a foundation for biomarker identification.

Background: People living in close quarters, such as military trainees, are at increased risk for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), especially those caused by methicillin-resistant (MRSA). The serum immune factors associated with the onset of SSTI are not well understood.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of SSTIs, enrolling US Army trainees before starting military training and following up for 14 weeks.

Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 Saliva and Dried Blood Spot Surveillance Strategies in a Congregate Population.

The optimal approach to COVID-19 surveillance in congregate populations remains unclear. Our study at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, USA, assessed the concordance of antibody prevalence in longitudinally collected dried blood spots and saliva in a setting of frequent PCR-based testing. Our findings highlight the utility of salivary-based surveillance.

Breath Biomarkers of Influenza Infection.

Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced systemically due to varied physiological states such as oxidative stress and are excreted through the lungs. Benchtop and preliminary clinical data suggest that breath testing may be a useful diagnostic modality for viral respiratory tract infections.

Methods: Patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting to a single clinic in San Antonio, Texas, from 3/2017 to 3/2019 submitted a 2-minute breath sample in addition to a nasopharyngeal swab collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for respiratory pathogens.

Nasal microbiota evolution within the congregate setting imposed by military training.

The human microbiome is comprised of a complex and diverse community of organisms that is subject to dynamic changes over time. As such, cross-sectional studies of the microbiome provide a multitude of information for a specific body site at a particular time, but they fail to account for temporal changes in microbial constituents resulting from various factors. To address this shortcoming, longitudinal research studies of the human microbiome investigate the influence of various factors on the microbiome of individuals within a group or community setting.

COVID-19 Outcomes Among US Military Health System Beneficiaries Include Complications Across Multiple Organ Systems and Substantial Functional Impairment.

Background: We evaluated clinical outcomes, functional burden, and complications 1 month after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in a prospective US Military Health System (MHS) cohort of active duty, retiree, and dependent populations using serial patient-reported outcome surveys and electronic medical record (EMR) review.

Methods: MHS beneficiaries presenting at 9 sites across the United States with a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test, a COVID-19-like illness, or a high-risk SARS-CoV-2 exposure were eligible for enrollment. Medical history and clinical outcomes were collected through structured interviews and International Classification of Diseases-based EMR review.

Impact of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medically Attended Acute Respiratory Infection: The U.S. Naval Academy Experience.

Introduction: Medically attended acute respiratory infections (MAARI) at the U.S. Naval Academy increase during Plebe Summer, a training program for incoming freshmen.

Clinical, Immunological, and Virological SARS-CoV-2 Phenotypes in Obese and Nonobese Military Health System Beneficiaries.

Background: The mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity remain unclear. After verifying that obesity was a correlate of severe COVID-19 in US Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries, we compared immunological and virological phenotypes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in both obese and nonobese participants.

Methods: COVID-19-infected MHS beneficiaries were enrolled, and anthropometric, clinical, and demographic data were collected.

Skin and soft tissue infections, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, January 2016-September 2020.

During 1 January 2016-30 September 2020, there were 210,914 incident cases of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) among active component U.S. military members, corresponding to a crude overall incidence rate of 352.

Safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of NDV-3A against Staphylococcus aureus colonization: A phase 2 vaccine trial among US Army Infantry trainees.

Background: Military trainees are at increased risk for Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection. Disease prevention strategies are needed, but a S. aureus vaccine does not currently exist.

Effects of human immunodeficiency virus status on symptom severity in influenza-like illness in an otherwise healthy adult outpatient cohort.

The impact of HIV on influenza-like illness (ILI) has been incompletely described in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy, particularly in the post-H1N1 pandemic period. This analysis informs on ILI in an otherwise healthy, predominantly outpatient cohort of adults with HIV in the USA. From September 2010 to March 2015, this multisite observational cohort study enrolled otherwise healthy adults presenting to a participating US military medical center with ILI, a subset of whom were HIV positive.

Antigen-based multiplex strategies to discriminate SARS-CoV-2 natural and vaccine induced immunity from seasonal human coronavirus humoral responses.

Sensitive and specific SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays remain critical for community and hospital-based SARS-CoV-2 sero-surveillance. With the rollout of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, such assays must be able to distinguish vaccine from natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and related human coronaviruses. Here, we developed and implemented multiplex microsphere-based immunoassay strategies for COVD-19 antibody studies that incorporates spike protein trimers of SARS-CoV-2 and the endemic seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoV), enabling high throughout measurement of pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies.

SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Serologic Responses Among Military Personnel Deployed on the USNS COMFORT to New York City During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a unique challenge to United States Navy hospital ships. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among US Navy personnel deployed on the USNS COMFORT to augment the inpatient health care capacity in New York City.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on USNS COMFORT crewmembers returning to Norfolk, Virginia, following deployment.

SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Marine Recruits during Quarantine.

Background: The efficacy of public health measures to control the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has not been well studied in young adults.

Methods: We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infections among U.S.

Comparable Disease Severity by Influenza Virus Subtype in the Acute Respiratory Infection Consortium Natural History Study.

Introduction: Since the influenza A/H1N1 pandemic of 2009 to 2010, numerous studies have described the clinical course and outcome of the different subtypes of influenza (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B). A recent systematic literature review concluded that there were no appreciable differences in either clinical presentation or disease severity among these subtypes, but study parameters limit the applicability of these results to military populations. We sought to evaluate differences in disease severity among influenza subtypes in a cohort of healthy, primarily outpatient adult U.

Corrigendum: Conjugative Transfer of a Novel Staphylococcal Plasmid Encoding the Biocide Resistance Gene, .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.

The Acute Respiratory Infection Consortium: A Multi-Site, Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Research Network in the Department of Defense.

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) result in substantial annual morbidity among military personnel and decrease operational readiness. Herein, we summarize the research efforts of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) related to ARIs.

Methods: The ARI Research Area of the IDCRP was established in response to the 2009 emergence of pandemic influenza A/H1N1.

Opportunities and Obstacles in the Prevention of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections Among Military Personnel.

Introduction: Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are an important cause of infectious disease morbidity among military populations. Due to the high direct and indirect costs associated with SSTIs, particularly with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, there remains a critical need for the development and evaluation of SSTI prevention strategies among high-risk military personnel. Herein, we review efforts of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) related to the prevention of SSTIs in the military.

Pre- and post-operative antibiotics in conjunction with cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) should be considered for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) treatment.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a subtype of peritoneal carcinomatosis that is traditionally treated by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). A growing body of evidence suggests that microbes are associated with various tumor types and have been found in organs and cavities that were once considered sterile. Prior and ongoing research from our consortium of PMP researchers strongly suggests that bacteria are associated with PMP tumors.

Conjugative Transfer of a Novel Staphylococcal Plasmid Encoding the Biocide Resistance Gene, .

is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Some strains harbor plasmids that carry genes that affect resistance to biocides. Among these genes, encodes the QacA Multidrug Efflux Pump that imparts decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine, a biocide used ubiquitously in healthcare facilities.

Performance of the inFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) diary in patients with influenza-like illness (ILI).

Background: The inFLUenza Patient Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) measure is a daily diary assessing signs/symptoms of influenza across six body systems: Nose, Throat, Eyes, Chest/Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Body/Systemic, developed and tested in adults with influenza.

Objectives: This study tested the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of FLU-PRO scores in adults with influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: Data from the prospective, observational study used to develop and test the FLU-PRO in influenza virus positive patients were analyzed.

Reliability, Validity, and Responsiveness of InFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO©) Scores in Influenza-Positive Patients.

Objectives: To assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of InFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO©) scores for quantifying the presence and severity of influenza symptoms.

Methods: An observational prospective cohort study of adults (≥18 years) with influenza-like illness in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and South America was conducted. Participants completed the 37-item draft FLU-PRO daily for up to 14 days.