SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Replacement of Delta as Predominant Variant, Puerto Rico.

We reconstructed the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic caused by Omicron variant in Puerto Rico by sampling genomes collected during October 2021-May 2022. Our study revealed that Omicron BA.1 emerged and replaced Delta as the predominant variant in December 2021.

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Puerto Rico enabled early detection and tracking of variants.

Background: Puerto Rico has experienced the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was first detected on the island in March of 2020, it spread rapidly though the island's population and became a critical threat to public health.

Methods: We conducted a genomic surveillance study through a partnership with health agencies and academic institutions to understand the emergence and molecular epidemiology of the virus on the island.

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Puerto Rico reveals emergence of an autochthonous lineage and early detection of variants.

Puerto Rico has experienced the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was first detected on the island in March of 2020, it spread rapidly though the island’s population and became a critical threat to public health. We conducted a genomic surveillance study through a partnership with health agencies and academic institutions to understand the emergence and molecular epidemiology of the virus on the island.

Tracing the Origin, Spread, and Molecular Evolution of Zika Virus in Puerto Rico, 2016-2017.

We reconstructed the 2016-2017 Zika virus epidemic in Puerto Rico by using complete genomes to uncover the epidemic's origin, spread, and evolutionary dynamics. Our study revealed that the epidemic was propelled by multiple introductions that spread across the island, intricate evolutionary patterns, and ≈10 months of cryptic transmission.

Development of a Standardized Sanger-Based Method for Partial Sequencing and Genotyping of Dengue Viruses.

The global expansion of dengue viruses (DENV-1 to DENV-4) has contributed to the divergence, transmission, and establishment of genetic lineages of epidemiological concern; however, tracking the phylogenetic relationships of these virus is not always possible due to the inability of standardized sequencing procedures in resource-limited public health laboratories. Consequently, public genomic data banks contain inadequate representation of geographical regions and historical periods. In order to improve detection of the DENV-1 to DENV-4 lineages, we report the development of a serotype-specific Sanger-based method standardized to sequence DENV-1 to DENV-4 directly from clinical samples using universal primers that detect most DENV genotypes.

The effect of vaccination against Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) on the Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) load in porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) affected pigs.

A diagnostic project was initiated across the United States in 2006 to improve the understanding of porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD) as well as to identify co-factors in PCVAD-affected farms. A Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) DNA real-time polymerase chain reaction quantitation (qPCR) was established according to a published method and sera from a total of 23pig farms across the United States were examined for viral loads for PCV-2 and analyzed for any possible effects of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccination on this parameter. Vaccination against PRRS resulted in significantly lower viral loads for PCV-2 in animals 13 wk or older compared with nonvaccinated animals, but vaccination of pigs against PRRS had no effect on qPCR results for PCV-2 in 4- to 12-week-old pigs.

Management of urinary tract infections, decubitus ulcer and pneumonia in the aging person.

Infections in the older person are common and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Infections of the urinary tract, skin and soft tissue infections including decubitus ulcers, antibiotics associated diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections are particularly important in the elderly because of their frequency. While most initial antibiotic therapy is empiric, its important before treatment to try to document the etiology for better use of antibiotics.

Potentially serious infections in the aging person: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Infections in the elderly patient are a challenge, since the classical signs of infection are absent or ill defined. The present paper describes the presentation, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and treatment for a selected group of potential serious infections including influenza, bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infections as well as infections caused by multiresistant bacteria, like vacomycin-resistant enterococcus and methicillin resistant S. aureus.

Reduction and survival of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meats after irradiation.

A five-strain Listeria monocytogenes culture was inoculated onto six different types of ready-to-eat (RTE) meats (frankfurters, ham, roast beef, bologna, smoked turkey with lactate, and smoked turkey without lactate). The meats were vacuum packed and stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h prior to irradiation. Populations of L.