Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis started during or after travel: A GeoSentinel analysis.

Background: Recent studies demonstrate that rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP) in international travelers is suboptimal, with only 5-20% of travelers receiving rabies immune globulin (RIG) in the country of exposure when indicated. We hypothesized that travelers may not be receiving RIG appropriately, and practices may vary between countries. We aim to describe the characteristics of travelers who received RIG and/or RPEP during travel.

Spectrum of illness in migrants to Canada: sentinel surveillance through CanTravNet.

Background: Due to ongoing political instability and conflict in many parts of the world, migrants are increasingly seeking asylum and refuge in Canada.

Methods: We examined demographic and travel correlates of illnesses among migrants to Canada to establish a detailed epidemiologic framework of this population for Canadian practitioners. Data on ill-returned Canadian travellers presenting to a CanTravNet site between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were analyzed.

Intradermal pre-exposure rabies vaccination in a Canadian travel clinic: 6-year retrospective observational study.

Background: The intradermal route of vaccine administration for pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis, endorsed by the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization, was implemented at a large travel clinic in Montréal in 2008. We evaluated the effect of intradermal vaccination availability on uptake of pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis and rates of seroconversion with intradermal vaccination.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using data from December 2008 to December 2014.

Surveillance report of Zika virus among Canadian travellers returning from the Americas.

Background: Widespread transmission of Zika virus in the Americas has occurred since late 2015. We examined demographic and travel-related characteristics of returned Canadian travellers with Zika infection acquired in the Americas to illuminate risk factors for acquisition and the clinical spectrum.

Methods: We analyzed demographic and travel-related data for returned Canadian travellers who presented to a CanTravNet site between October 2015 and September 2016 for care of Zika virus acquired in the Americas.

Malaria in travellers returning or migrating to Canada: surveillance report from CanTravNet surveillance data, 2004-2014.

Background: Malaria remains the most common specific cause of fever in returned travellers and can be life-threatening. We examined demographic and travel correlates of malaria among Canadian travellers and immigrants to identify groups for targeted pretravel intervention.

Methods: Descriptive data on ill returned Canadian travellers and immigrants presenting to a CanTravNet site between 2004 and 2014 with a diagnosis of malaria were analyzed.

Dermatoses among returned Canadian travellers and immigrants: surveillance report based on CanTravNet data, 2009-2012.

Background: There is a lack of multicentre analyses of the spectrum of dermatologic illnesses acquired by Canadian travellers and immigrants. Our objective for this study was to provide a comprehensive, Canada-specific surveillance summary of travel-related dermatologic conditions in a cohort of returned Canadian travellers and immigrants.

Methods: Data for Canadian travellers and immigrants with a primary dermatologic diagnosis presenting to CanTravNet sites between September 2009 and September 2012 were extracted and analyzed.

Travel-acquired infections and illnesses in Canadians: surveillance report from CanTravNet surveillance data, 2009-2011.

Background: Important knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of migration medicine practice and the impact of pathogens imported by Canadian travellers. We present here a comprehensive, Canada-specific surveillance summary of illness in a cohort of returned Canadian travellers and new immigrants.

Methods: We extracted and analyzed (using standard parametric and nonparametric techniques) data from the Canadian Travel Medicine Network (CanTravNet) database for ill returned Canadian travellers and new immigrants who presented to a Canadian GeoSentinel Surveillance Network site between September 2009 and September 2011.

Trends in human immunodeficiency virus incidence and risk behavior among injection drug users in montreal, Canada: a 16-year longitudinal study.

The authors sought to investigate trends in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, evaluate changes in risk behavior, and assess associations between syringe access programs and HIV seroconversion among injection drug users (IDUs) in Montreal, Canada, who were recruited and followed for a prospective cohort study between 1992 and 2008. Methods included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and time-varying Cox regression models. Of 2,137 HIV-seronegative IDUs at enrollment, 148 became HIV-positive within 4 years (incidence: 3.

First case of invasive human infection caused by Cupriavidus metallidurans.

We describe the first case of invasive human infection (a nosocomial septicemia) caused by Cupriavidus metallidurans. This metal-resistant bacterium has not been reported to be pathogenic in humans or animals.

Determinants of HIV seroconversion among men who have sex with men living in a low HIV incidence population in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapies.

Objective: To estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence and associated risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) participating in the Omega Cohort Study in Montreal, 1996-2003.

Methods: Longitudinal study of 1587 MSM seronegative at baseline with > or =1 six-month follow-up visit. Multivariate Cox regression with time-dependent variables was used for data analysis.

A prognostic model for HIV seroconversion among injection drug users as a tool for stratification in clinical trials.

Objective: The main goal of this study was to construct a prognostic model for HIV seroconversion among injection drug users (IDUs) using easy-to-measure risk indicators.

Design: Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used for risk stratification in a heterogeneous population of IDUs with regards to HIV risk-taking behaviors.

Methods: Subjects were recruited in a prospective cohort of IDUs followed between September 1992 and October 2001.

Lack of evidence of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus in a prospective cohort study of men who have sex with men.

Objectives: We studied the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the ongoing Omega Cohort Study of men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: From January to September 2001, consenting men (n = 1085) attending a follow-up visit to the ongoing Omega Cohort Study were tested for HCV. If the test results were positive for HCV, we compared them with test results from previous serum samples collected from the time of entry into the original cohort study to determine the time of infection.

Sexual risk behaviour of Canadian participants in the first efficacy trial of a preventive HIV-1 vaccine.

Background: Phase I and phase II HIV-1 vaccine trials have revealed increases in risky sexual activity among study subjects during the trials, perhaps because the subjects believe that the vaccine being tested is efficacious; subjects may thus suffer harm from their participation. We evaluated the sexual behaviour of Canadian men who have sex with men (MSM) who participated in the phase III Vax004 trial of an HIV-1 vaccine.

Methods: Using self-reports of sexual behaviours during the 6 months before trial entry as a baseline, we determined changes in reported sexual behaviour after 6, 12 and 18 months of participation in the trial.

No increase in HIV incidence observed in a cohort of men who have sex with other men in Montreal.

To monitor HIV incidence we tested a cohort of men who have sex with men in Montreal for HIV every 6 months. Between 1996 and 2001, 17 out of 1244 participants seroconverted, for an HIV incidence of 0.56 per 100 person-years (py) (95% CL 0.

HIV-positive notification and behavior changes in Montreal injection drug users.

This study examined the effect of an HIV-positive notification on the sexual and injection behaviors, living conditions, and medical demands of injection drug users (IDUs) in Montreal. The behavior changes of 73 IDUs who received an HIV-positive test result, and 219 IDUs who tested negative were compared, and the net difference (ND) in the proportion of IDUs adopting the particular change was determined. No significant changes were found in drug use or needle sharing practices.

Field evaluation of the Merlin immediate HIV-1 and -2 test for point-of-care detection of human immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

The Merlin Immediate HIV-1 and -2 Test (Merlin point-of-care [POC] test; Merlin Biomedical & Pharmaceutical) is a nitrocellulose membrane flow immunoassay performed at the POC with the use of blood obtained from a fingerprick. The results of this test were compared with those of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) performed on venous blood samples in the laboratory. Positive results of both tests were confirmed by a Western blot (WB).