Evaluating the long-term persistence of Bacillus spores on common surfaces.

Bacillus spores resist inactivation, but the extent of their persistence on common surfaces is unclear. This work addresses knowledge gaps regarding biothreat agents in the environment to reduce uncertainty in risk assessment models. Studies were conducted to investigate the long-term inactivation of Bacillus anthracis and three commonly used surrogate organisms - B.

Antibacterial and antiviral effectiveness of two household water treatment devices that use monobrominated hydantoinylated polystyrene.

Many different household water treatment (HWT) methods have been researched and promoted to mitigate the serious burden of diarrheal disease in developing countries. However, HWT methods using bromine have not been extensively evaluated. Two gravity-fed HWT devices (AquaSure™ and Waterbird™) were used to test the antimicrobial effectiveness of HaloPure Br beads (monobrominated hydantoinylated polystyrene) that deliver bromine.

The joint effects of efficacy and compliance: a study of household water treatment effectiveness against childhood diarrhea.

The effectiveness of household water treatment (HWT) at reducing diarrheal disease is related to the efficacy of the HWT method at removing pathogens, how people comply with HWT, and the relative contributions of other pathogen exposure routes. We define compliance with HWT as the proportion of drinking water treated by a community. Although many HWT methods are efficacious at removing or inactivating pathogens, their effectiveness within actual communities is decreased by imperfect compliance.

Risk reduction assessment of waterborne Salmonella and Vibrio by a chlorine contact disinfectant point-of-use device.

Unsafe drinking water continues to burden developing countries despite improvements in clean water delivery and sanitation, in response to Millennium Development Goal 7. Salmonella serotype Typhi and Vibrio cholerae bacteria can contaminate drinking water, causing waterborne typhoid fever and cholera, respectively. Household water treatment (HWT) systems are widely promoted to consumers in developing countries but it is difficult to establish their benefits to the population for specific disease reduction.

Trends in Michigan early adolescent immunization: 2006-2008.

Objectives: We have described vaccine coverage of Michigan young adolescents immunized with tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; meningococcal conjugate; and human papillomavirus vaccines during 2006-2008.

Methods: We obtained data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, a state-based immunization information system that included more than 57 million vaccination records. We examined 3 overlapping cohorts of 11- and 12-year-old children (n > 350 000 in each) to assess temporal trends in vaccination coverage, characteristics of those immunized, funding sources, and vaccination sites.

Linking quantitative microbial risk assessment and epidemiological data: informing safe drinking water trials in developing countries.

Intervention trials are used extensively to assess household water treatment (HWT) device efficacy against diarrheal disease in developing countries. Using these data for policy, however, requires addressing issues of generalizability (relevance of one trial in other contexts) and systematic bias associated with design and conduct of a study. To illustrate how quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) can address water safety and health issues, we analyzed a published randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the LifeStraw Family Filter in the Congo.

Factors associated with hepatitis A vaccination receipt in one-year-olds in the state of Michigan.

The objectives of this study were to determine factors associated with hepatitis A vaccination and to assess overall hepatitis A vaccination coverage levels among one-year-olds in Michigan. The study population was the first hepatitis A vaccination-eligible birth cohort (n = 134 226) enrolled in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) after 2006 recommendations were made to routinely vaccinate all one-year-olds. All children whose first birthday occurred on or between May 1, 2006 and April 31, 2007 were included in the study population.

Geographic clustering of nonmedical exemptions to school immunization requirements and associations with geographic clustering of pertussis.

School immunization requirements are important in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Forty-eight states offer nonmedical exemptions to school immunization requirements. Children with exemptions are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases.

Influenza vaccination coverage: findings from immunization information systems.

Background: Beginning with the 2004-05 influenza season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) strengthened their existing encouragement that children aged 6-23 months receive influenza vaccination by creating a formal recommendation.

Methods: Well-functioning sentinel project immunization information systems (IIS) in Arizona (AIIS) and Michigan (MIIS) were used to calculate vaccination coverage among children aged 6-23 months during the 2004-05 influenza season. We calculated 2 measures of vaccination coverage: a) receipt of 1 or more doses of influenza vaccine September 2004-March 2005 and b) receipt of 2 or more doses (ie, fully vaccinated).

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine uptake, measured by Michigan's immunization registry.

Purpose: To describe the uptake of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) in Michigan adolescents following its approval in January 2005, and compare it to the use of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) in 2004.

Methods: All available records of meningococcal immunizations given between February 1986 and March 2006 were obtained from the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry (MCIR), which is used by about 95% of Michigan immunization providers. During late 2005 and early 2006, these records were analyzed by immunization type, administration date, recipient age, and health care provider type (public or private).

Immunization information systems national research and evaluation agenda.

Immunization Information Systems (IIS) are operational in most states and are useful in programmatic and clinical assessments. To ensure that IIS reach their technical and usability potential, and to promote their use, we conducted a Delphi survey to develop a national IIS research and evaluation agenda. Experts with a wide range of IIS knowledge were asked to generate research and evaluation topics that document their utility in achieving and sustaining clinical and public health goals.

Using registry data to evaluate the 2004 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine shortage.

Background: The most recent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) shortage occurred between December 2003 and September 2004. To ensure vaccination of the highest-risk children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that providers delay administration of the third and fourth doses of vaccine to healthy children. We used Michigan Child Immunization Registry (MCIR) data collected from September 1, 2001 to November 30, 2004 to evaluate changes in PCV7 coverage.

Evaluation of risk factors for rural infestation by Triatoma pallidipennis (Hemiptera: Triatominae), a Mexican vector of Chagas disease.

Control of Chagas disease requires control of its triatomine vectors, which requires an understanding of the determinants of infestation. Twenty-seven household environmental characteristics in the town of Chalcatzingo, Morelos, were analyzed for association with infestation by Triatoma pallidipennis, the predominant local vector. Data were obtained through timed household searches for triatomines and surveys that characterized intradomicile and peridomicile environments.