Publications by authors named "John T Brooks"
Article Synopsis
- A new scoring system called the Mpox Severity Scoring System (MPOX-SSS) was developed to assess the severity of mpox during the 2022 outbreak.
- The system was tested on 200 patients, showing that higher severity scores were linked to delayed treatment, lower immune cell counts, and longer symptom duration.
- The MPOX-SSS effectively tracked changes in disease severity over time and consistently identified higher scores in patients with known risk factors.
Article Synopsis
- - The review covers the history and spread of mpox, including how it affects public health and different populations.
- - It outlines various prevention strategies and dives into the clinical features and treatment options for mpox, especially in those with advanced HIV.
- - The authors highlight the severity of mpox in individuals with advanced HIV and identify key areas where further research is needed to improve understanding and management of the disease.
Article Synopsis
- Orthopoxviruses, including the monkeypox virus (MPXV), have shown unpredictable patterns of illness and spread, first noted in the late 1950s among primates and later causing human cases in Africa since the 1970s.
- In May 2022, a new MPXV outbreak emerged notably among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, marking a shift in transmission dynamics.
- The article discusses prior knowledge of mpox, insights gained during the 2022 outbreak, and the ongoing research needed to enhance global health measures against this virus.
Article Synopsis
- HIV-related immunosuppression can raise the chances of hospitalization for mpox.
- In Georgia, a study assessed how HIV status affects hospitalization rates among mpox patients.
- Individuals with HIV who have a low CD4 count (<350 cells/mm3) or are not receiving HIV treatment are more likely to be hospitalized due to mpox.
Article Synopsis
- E-cigarettes were introduced in the U.S. in the late 2000s, with a 2017 usage rate of 2.8% among adults; this study focuses on usage rates among individuals diagnosed with HIV.
- Data from the Medical Monitoring Project was analyzed, revealing that 5.9% of persons with HIV currently use e-cigarettes, while 27.1% have used them in the past.
- Higher e-cigarette usage was noted among specific groups, including current cigarette smokers, those with major depression, and younger individuals, highlighting a need for ongoing research due to potential health implications for those with HIV.
Severe Monkeypox in Hospitalized Patients - United States, August 10-October 10, 2022.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
November 2022
Article Synopsis
- * A CDC report analyzed 57 hospitalized monkeypox patients from August to October 2022, revealing that 82% had HIV, most were male (95%), and 68% were non-Hispanic Black; 30% needed ICU care, and 21% died due to severe symptoms.
- * Health care providers are advised to test sexually active monkeypox patients for HIV and consider aggressive treatment for those who are severely immunocompromised
High prevalences of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been reported in the current global monkeypox outbreak, which has affected primarily gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) (1-5). In previous monkeypox outbreaks in Nigeria, concurrent HIV infection was associated with poor monkeypox clinical outcomes (6,7). Monkeypox, HIV, and STI surveillance data from eight U.
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- High levels of vaccine and infection-induced immunity, along with effective treatments, have significantly lowered the risk of severe COVID-19 illness and related hospitalizations and deaths globally.
- Public health strategies are now focusing on sustainable measures to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on individual health and the healthcare system while enabling social and economic activities.
- Individual COVID-19 risk is influenced by exposure and personal health factors, but can be mitigated through interventions like improved ventilation, masks, and vaccination, with targeted support for high-risk populations.
Article Synopsis
- Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus related to smallpox and is mainly found in Central and West Africa; the last U.S. outbreak occurred in 2003 linked to prairie dogs and imported African rodents.
- A significant multinational outbreak since May 2022, particularly affecting gay and bisexual men, has resulted in around 25,000 cases reported globally, prompting the U.S. to declare it a public health emergency on August 4, 2022.
- Tecovirimat is available for treating monkeypox, and can be used in patients with HIV without known drug interactions; prevention strategies include the JYNNEOS vaccine, with updates on health guidelines as more data is gathered.
The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) has periodically published recommendations about reducing the risk for transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) through solid organ transplantation (1-4).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in healthcare, leading to a drop in HIV testing and diagnoses, with a reported 17% decrease in HIV cases from 2019 to 2020, especially impacting marginalized communities.
- * To recover from missed testing and accelerate progress towards the EHE goals, the CDC advocates for collaboration among various agencies and organizations, promoting strategies like self-testing and routine screenings in healthcare facilities.
Background: Preprints are publicly available manuscripts posted to various servers that have not been peer reviewed. Although preprints have existed since 1961, they have gained increased popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the need for immediate, relevant information.
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the publication rate and impact of preprints included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Science Update and assess the performance of the COVID-19 Science Update team in selecting impactful preprints.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the most effective means to achieve control of the pandemic. In the United States, COVID-19 cases and deaths have markedly declined since their peak in early January 2021, due in part to increased vaccination coverage (1). However, during June 19-July 23, 2021, COVID-19 cases increased approximately 300% nationally, followed by increases in hospitalizations and deaths, driven by the highly transmissible B.
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- SARS-CoV-2 spreads through respiratory droplets and aerosols from infected individuals, prompting the CDC to recommend measures such as physical distancing, universal masking, and improved indoor ventilation to curb transmission.
- Portable HEPA air cleaners can significantly lower aerosol particle concentrations in settings like classrooms, achieving reductions of over 80% within 30 minutes.
- An experiment using respiratory simulators showed that combining HEPA air cleaners with universal masking can reduce exposure to exhaled aerosols by up to 90%, making HEPA cleaners especially effective when placed near the source of aerosols.
Article Synopsis
- The NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines were initiated in March 2020 following a request from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, leading to the establishment of a diverse panel that included experts from multiple sectors to create and update treatment recommendations.
- Within two weeks, the initial guidelines were published online, but the rapid evolution of COVID-19 treatment data necessitated 24 updates in the first year, reflecting the dynamic nature of clinical research.
- Key lessons learned from this process include the importance of accessible, credible guidelines, the value of collaboration among various health entities, the necessity for well-designed clinical trials, and the need for frequent updates to adapt to new evidence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state, territorial, and local health departments have expanded efforts to detect and respond to HIV clusters and outbreaks in the United States. In July 2017, CDC created the HIV Outbreak Coordination Unit (OCU) to ensure consistent and collaborative assessment of requests from health departments for consultation or support on possible HIV clusters and outbreaks of elevated concern. The HIV OCU is a multidisciplinary, cross-organization functional unit within CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUniversal masking is one of the prevention strategies recommended by CDC to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (1). As of February 1, 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia had universal masking mandates. Mask wearing has also been mandated by executive order for federal property* as well as on domestic and international transportation conveyances.
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