Lead exposure sources and public health investigations for children with elevated blood lead in England, 2014 to 2022.

Background: Lead exposure at any concentration can adversely impact health, with children being more vulnerable to its effects. In England, children with an elevated blood lead concentration (BLC) are reported to Health Protection Teams (HPTs) for public health investigation. A detailed review of these cases has not yet been conducted.

Real-time evaluation of a multi-agency TB-screening event for persons experiencing homelessness in a town with a low incidence of TB in England.

Real-time evaluation (RTE) supports populations (e.g., persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) to engage in evaluation of health interventions who may otherwise be overlooked.

Pathogens that Cause Illness Clinically Indistinguishable from Lassa Fever, Nigeria, 2018.

During the 2018 Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, samples from patients with suspected Lassa fever but negative Lassa virus PCR results were processed through custom gene expression array cards and metagenomic sequencing. Results demonstrated no single etiology, but bacterial and viral pathogens (including mixed co-infections) were detected.

The epidemiology and management of clusters of invasive meningococcal disease in England, 2010-15.

Background: Guidance for public health management of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in in England recommends the use of antibiotic chemoprophylaxis and vaccination. We summarized clinical and epidemiological data collected during routine management of IMD clusters in England.

Methods: Data on epidemiology and operational decisions for public health management were reviewed for clusters between April 2010 and December 2015.

The use of cervical screening history data to interpret cervical cancer incidence trends.

Background: Regional Cervical Screening Quality Assurance Reference Centres maintain and improve the quality of their local cervical screening programmes by monitoring standards based on a range of outcome measures. The classification of invasive cervical cancer screening histories can aid the interpretation of cervical cancer incidence trends in cervical screening services.

Methods: Cervical cancer incidence rates were calculated for cytology laboratory catchment areas, which reflected where local general practitioners sent cervical samples.

A new method for the classification of invasive cervical cancer screening histories.

Objectives: To examine the ability of existing classification systems to provide screening histories for invasive cervical cancers which can be used in the evaluation of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP), and to provide the diagnostic route data item required for the National Cancer Data Set (NCDS).

Methods: The ability of existing classification systems to derive unique, consistent screening histories for a cohort of invasive cervical cancers diagnosed in the West Midlands region in the period 2000-03 was tested using two separate timelines for women on normal routine recall (usually 3 or 5 years) and those on early recall having had an inadequate, low-grade abnormal or negative smear.

Results: Neither of the existing classification systems was capable of adequately categorizing all invasive cervical cancers.