Management of a COVID-19 outbreak using a multidisciplinary approach and infection prevention control practices at a community living center in Veterans Administration Hospital, North Texas.

Background: The increase in severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases due to the omicron strain led to reduced acute care hospital beds at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, North Texas; veterans with non-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease were managed at a community living center (CLC), a VA nursing home. The management of non-severe COVID-19 in VA nursing homes has not been extensively described.

Methods: We describe resident characteristics and outcomes, and infection control practices implemented during 2 COVID-19 outbreak periods (January 12-February 15, 2022, June 28-July 14, 2023).

Birds of a feather? Mis- and dis-information on the social media platform X related to avian influenza.

Objective: Social media has become an important tool in monitoring infectious disease outbreaks such as coronavirus disease 2019 and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Influenced by the recent announcement of a possible human death from H5N2 avian influenza, we analyzed tweets collected from X (formerly Twitter) to describe the messaging regarding the HPAI outbreak, including mis- and dis-information, concerns, and health education.

Methods: We collected tweets involving keywords relating to HPAI for 5 days (June 04 to June 08, 2024).

Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characterization of Basal Cell Carcinoma Arising at Sun-protected Sites.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are driven primarily by cumulative ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure resulting in activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, often as a result of UV-mediated Patched-1 (PTCH1) gene inactivation. Accordingly, BCCs most commonly arise at sun-exposed sites such as the head and neck. Very rarely, BCCs can arise at sun-protected sites such as the genital skin and perianal area.

Access to Kidney Transplantation for Minority Children With End-Stage Renal Disease and Predictors of Post-Transplant Outcome: Impact of Race and Ethnicity.

Background: Racial disparities in access to kidney transplantation (KT) have been described among children with end-stage renal disease in the United States. It has been suggested that these disparities stem from a combination of clinical and socioeconomic factors.

Methods: We evaluated data from the US Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) of all pediatric (< 18 years old) KT recipients from 1999 to 2014 and compared outcomes by race or ethnicity: Hispanic, non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), and non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB).