Publications by authors named "Kari Burzlaff"
Background: In the US, yersinosis was understood to predominantly occur in winter and among Black or African American infants and Asian children. Increased use of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) has led to marked increases in yersinosis diagnoses.
Methods: We describe differences in the epidemiology of yersiniosis diagnosed by CIDT versus culture in 10 US sites, and identify determinants of health associated with diagnostic method.
Background: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for pertussis is recommended for household contacts of pertussis cases in the United States within 21 days of exposure, but data on PEP effectiveness for prevention of secondary cases in the setting of widespread pertussis vaccination are limited. We implemented a multi-state evaluation of azithromycin PEP use and effectiveness among household contacts.
Methods: Culture- or PCR-confirmed pertussis cases were identified through surveillance.
Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) can cause meningitis and other serious invasive disease. Encapsulated Hi is classified into six serotypes (a-f) based on chemical composition of the polysaccharide capsule; unencapsulated strains are termed nontypeable Hi (NTHi). Hi serotype b (Hib) was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children in the pre-Hib vaccine era, and secondary transmission of Hi among children (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- During the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. (from March to December 2020), the incidence of invasive bacterial diseases (IBD) caused by several bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, significantly decreased compared to expected rates from earlier years.
- The observed declines in IBD were 58% for S. pneumoniae, 60% for H. influenzae, 28% for group A Streptococcus, and 12% for group B Streptococcus, aligning with the introduction of COVID-19 preventive measures.
- Testing rates for blood and cerebrospinal fluid during the pandemic remained similar to pre-pandemic years, suggesting that the drop in IBD cases
Background: Pathogen detection has changed with increased use of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs). CIDTs do not yield isolates, which are necessary to detect outbreaks using whole-genome sequencing. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) monitors clinical laboratory testing practices to improve interpretation of surveillance data and assess availability of isolates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Antibiotic-nonsusceptible invasive pneumococcal disease (NS-IPD) incidence declined dramatically in the United States after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) into the infant immunization schedule (7-valent PCV7 in 2000, replaced by the 13-valent PCV13 in 2010). We evaluated the long-term impact of PCVs on NS-IPD.
Methods: We identified IPD cases through the Centers for Disease Control Active Bacterial Core surveillance during 1998-2018.
Treatment of Shiga toxin-producing O157 (O157) diarrhea with antimicrobials might alter the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). However, full characterization of which antimicrobials might affect risk is lacking, particularly among adults. To inform clinical management, we conducted a case-control study of residents of the FoodNet surveillance areas with O157 diarrhea during a 4-year period to assess antimicrobial class-specific associations with HUS among persons with O157 diarrhea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Since the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) conjugate vaccines in the United States, invasive H. influenzae disease epidemiology has changed, and racial disparities have not been recently described.
Methods: Active population- and laboratory-based surveillance for H.
Objectives: Routine surveillance for streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a severe manifestation of invasive group A (GAS) infections, likely underestimates its true incidence. The objective of our study was to evaluate routine identification of STSS in a national surveillance system for invasive GAS infections.
Methods: Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) conducts active population-based surveillance for invasive GAS disease in selected US counties in 10 states.
Article Synopsis
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a significant cause of severe illness and death in infants under 90 days old in the U.S., even though early-onset disease rates have declined due to better antibiotic use during labor.
- The study analyzed data from 2006 to 2015 to assess the incidence of early-onset and late-onset GBS disease in infants, focusing on case characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, and the types of GBS strains present.
- Results showed a drop in early-onset disease cases but stable rates for late-onset; many mothers with infants who had early-onset disease did not receive the recommended antibiotic prophylaxis.