Evaluation of the google search appliance for patient cohort discovery.

Rapid location of patient cohorts with specific attributes is critical to accelerating translational research. Given the ever-increasing popularity of web search engines for information retrieval, we performed an evaluation the Google Search Appliance (GSA) as a potential tool for performing a fast and simple retrospective analysis of our patient record for researchers discovering study cohorts. Overall, the GSA did not provide a significant advantage over conventional database queries.

Monkeypox: an epidemiologic and clinical comparison of African and US disease.

Monkeypox is a double-stranded DNA virus and a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Human monkeypox was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1970. The first outbreak in the western hemisphere occurred in the spring of 2003.

Characteristics of diagnosed polymorphous light eruption.

Background: The characteristics of polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) have been described in patients evaluated and diagnosed at specialized photodermatology centers. Our goal was to describe the characteristics of PMLE diagnosed in a general clinic setting.

Methods: We used electronic medical records to identify patients diagnosed with PMLE from 2000 to 2002 within a large group practice.

The detection of monkeypox in humans in the Western Hemisphere.

Background: During May and June 2003, an outbreak of febrile illness with vesiculopustular eruptions occurred among persons in the midwestern United States who had had contact with ill pet prairie dogs obtained through a common distributor. Zoonotic transmission of a bacterial or viral pathogen was suspected.

Methods: We reviewed medical records, conducted interviews and examinations, and collected blood and tissue samples for analysis from 11 patients and one prairie dog.