Infection prevention and control for diverse vulnerable populations: From an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic to sustainable improvement.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, organizations providing residential and respite care for individuals with developmental disabilities and complex care needs in the Greater Toronto Area were largely unprepared. As case numbers surged, they lacked the expertise and resources needed to prevent spread across populations that are highly vulnerable to infection and poor outcomes. This article describes how these organizations, led by Safehaven, responded to an unprecedented emergency, and how the response is leading to sustainable improvements in care and safety for diverse vulnerable groups in congregate care settings.

Burden of Severe Illness Associated With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza in Adults Aged 50-64 Years, 2010-2011 to 2016-2017.

Background: Understanding the burden of influenza is necessary to optimize recommendations for influenza vaccination. We describe the epidemiology of severe influenza in 50- to 64-year-old residents of metropolitan Toronto and Peel region, Canada, over 7 influenza seasons.

Methods: Prospective population-based surveillance for hospitalization associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza was conducted from September 2010 to August 2017.

Fingerprinting, structure, and genetic relationships among selected accessions of blue honeysuckle ( L.) from European collections.

Due to its value and economic importance, the genome of L. has been widely studied in various fields of science. In this study the genetic structure and relationships between 24 accessions of of different origins were assessed.

Community- and Healthcare-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains: An Investigation Into Household Transmission, Risk Factors, and Environmental Contamination.

OBJECTIVE To measure transmission frequencies and risk factors for household acquisition of community-associated and healthcare-associated (HA-) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). DESIGN Prospective cohort study from October 4, 2008, through December 3, 2012. SETTING Seven acute care hospitals in or near Toronto, Canada.

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with persistent or recurrent bacteremia.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, especially with persistent (PB) or recurrent bacteremia (RB).

Objective: To determine the frequency of PB and RB in patients with MRSA BSI, and to characterize the isolates from these patients.

Methods: Surveillance for MRSA BSI was performed for one year in 13 Canadian hospitals.

Pneumococcal vaccination programs and the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease in Ontario, Canada, 1995-2011.

Background: In 1995, a publicly funded pneumococcal vaccination program for 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) was introduced in Ontario. Conjugate vaccines were authorized in 2001 (PCV7), 2009 (PCV10) and 2010 (PCV13).

Methods: From 1995-2011, active, population-based surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was conducted in Metropolitan Toronto and Peel Region, Canada.

Activities of new fluoroquinolones, ketolides, and other antimicrobials against blood culture isolates of viridans group streptococci from across Canada, 2000.

The rates of nonsusceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin of 191 blood culture isolates of viridans group streptococci collected from across Canada in 2000 were 36, 42, and 10%, respectively. Although 8% of the strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC >or= 4 microg/ml), the MICs of gemifloxacin, BMS 284756, telithromycin, and ABT 773 at which 90% of the strains were inhibited were 0.06, 0.