Neural Tube Defects in Pregnancies Among Women With Diagnosed HIV Infection - 15 Jurisdictions, 2013-2017.

In May 2018, a study of birth defects in infants born to women with diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Botswana reported an eightfold increased risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) among births with periconceptional exposure to antiretroviral therapy (ART) that included the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG) compared with other ART regimens (1). The World Health Organization* (WHO) and the U.S.

Characteristics and Care Outcomes Among Persons Living With Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection in the United States, 2015.

Background: Medical advancements have improved the survival of persons with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV). We describe persons living with diagnosed PHIV and assess receipt of HIV care, retention in care, and viral suppression.

Methods: Data reported to the National HIV Surveillance System through December 2017 were used to characterize persons living with diagnosed PHIV by year-end 2015 in the United States and 6 dependent areas.

Reconsidering the Number of Women With HIV Infection Who Give Birth Annually in the United States.

Objectives: The annual number of women with HIV infection who delivered infants in the United States was estimated to be 8700 in 2006. An accurate, current estimate is important for guiding perinatal HIV prevention efforts. Our objective was to analyze whether the 2006 estimate was consistent with the number of infants with HIV infection observed in the United States and with other data on perinatal HIV transmission.

Country of Birth of Children With Diagnosed HIV Infection in the United States, 2008-2014.

Background: Diagnoses of HIV infection among children in the United States have been declining; however, a notable percentage of diagnoses are among those born outside the United States. The impact of foreign birth among children with diagnosed infections has not been examined in the United States.

Methods: Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National HIV Surveillance System, we analyzed data for children aged <13 years with diagnosed HIV infection ("children") in the United States (reported from 50 states and the District of Columbia) during 2008-2014, by place of birth and selected characteristics.

HIV Infection Care and Viral Suppression Among People Who Inject Drugs, 28 U.S. Jurisdictions, 2012-2013.

Objectives: Assess outcomes along the care continuum for HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID), by type of facility and stage of infection at diagnosis.

Methods: Data reported by 28 jurisdictions to the National HIV Surveillance System by December 2014 were used to identify PWID aged ≥13 years, diagnosed with HIV infection before December 31, 2013. Analyses used the CDC definition of linkage to care (LTC), retention in care (RIC), and viral suppression (VS), and are stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and type of facility and stage of HIV infection at diagnosis.

Diagnoses and Prevalence of HIV Infection Among Hispanics or Latinos - United States, 2008-2013.

Hispanics or Latinos represent about 17% of the total U.S. population and are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States.

The status of the National HIV Surveillance System, United States, 2013.

The burden of HIV disease in the United States is monitored by using a comprehensive surveillance system. Data from this system are used at the federal, state, and local levels to plan, implement, and evaluate public health policies and programs. Implementation of HIV reporting has differed by area, and for the first time in early 2013, estimated data on diagnosed HIV infection were available from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six U.

Evaluation of syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections within the Kisumu Incidence Cohort Study.

While laboratory aetiological diagnosis is considered the gold standard for diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), syndromic management has been presented as a simplified and affordable approach for STI management in limited resource settings. STI signs and symptoms were collected using staff-administered computer-assisted personal interview and audio computer-assisted self-interview. Participants underwent a medical examination and laboratory testing for common STIs.

Jurisdiction level differences in HIV diagnosis, retention in care, and viral suppression in the United States.

Using data from the National HIV Surveillance System, we determined the number of persons diagnosed with HIV and the percentages of persons linked to care, retained in care, and virally suppressed across 19 jurisdictions with complete reporting of CD4 and viral load test results. Reports from these jurisdictions represent 37% of persons diagnosed with HIV infection in the United States in 2011. Although 80% of persons diagnosed in 2011 were linked to HIV medical care within 3 months of diagnosis, half of all persons living with HIV in the 19 jurisdictions were not receiving ongoing care in 2010.

Differences in human immunodeficiency virus care and treatment among subpopulations in the United States.

Importance: Early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, prompt linkage to and sustained care, and antiretroviral therapy are associated with reduced individual morbidity, mortality, and transmission of the virus. However, levels of these indicators may differ among population groups with HIV. Disparities in care and treatment may contribute to the higher incidence rates among groups with higher prevalence of HIV.

Enhanced Collection of Laboratory Data in HIV Surveillance Among 5 States with Confidential Name-based HIV Infection Reporting, 2005-2006.

Laboratory data reported through HIV surveillance can provide information about disease severity and linkage to care; however these measures are only as accurate as the quality and completeness of data reported. Using data from five states that implemented enhanced collection of laboratory data in HIV surveillance from 2005-2006, we determined completeness of reporting, stage of disease at diagnosis, the most common opportunistic illnesses (OI) at diagnosis, and linkage to medical care. Methods to enhance laboratory reporting included increasing active surveillance efforts, identifying laboratories not reporting to HIV surveillance, increasing electronic reporting, and using laboratory results from auxiliary databases.

Retention in care of adults and adolescents living with HIV in 13 U.S. areas.

Background: Monitoring immunologic and virologic responses to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected patients is an important component of treatment in the United States. However, little population-based information is available on whether HIV-infected persons receive the recommended tests or continuous care.

Methods: Using data from 13 areas reporting relevant HIV-related tests to national HIV surveillance, we determined retention in care in persons older than 12 years living with HIV at the end of 2009.

Rapid Ped-2E9 cell-based cytotoxicity analysis and genotyping of Bacillus species.

Bacillus species causing food-borne disease produce multiple toxins eliciting gastroenteritis. Toxin assays with mammalian cell cultures are reliable but may take 24 to 72 h to complete and also lack sensitivity. Here, a sensitive and rapid assay was developed using a murine hybridoma Ped-2E9 cell model.

Specific detection of cytopathogenic Listeria monocytogenes using a two-step method of immunoseparation and cytotoxicity analysis.

The development of rapid methods for detection of viable Listeria monocytogenes is crucial to prevent listeriosis and product recalls. While immunomagnetic separation has been used for isolating Listeria spp., lack of specificity and pathogenicity determination render this method unsatisfactory.