Vitamin E, vitamin A, and zinc status are not related to serologic response to influenza vaccine in older adults: an observational prospective cohort study.

It has been hypothesized that micronutrient levels play a role in the immune response to vaccination; however, population-level research on the association between micronutrient levels and immune response to influenza vaccination is needed. In this study, we hypothesized that decreasing levels of nutrients would be associated with decreased hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) responses to influenza vaccination. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether serum vitamin A, vitamin E, or zinc levels are associated with influenza vaccine response determined by HAI titer in adults 65 years or older.

Consistency of influenza A virus detection test results across respiratory specimen collection methods using real-time reverse transcription-PCR.

In our prospective cohort study, we compared the performance of nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and nasal swabs for the detection of influenza virus using real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay. Joint consideration of results from oropharyngeal and nasal swabs was as effective as consideration of results from nasopharyngeal swabs alone, as measured by sensitivity and noninferiority analysis.

Multilocus sequence typing of Borrelia burgdorferi suggests existence of lineages with differential pathogenic properties in humans.

The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, vary considerably in different patients, possibly due to infection by strains with varying pathogenicity. Both rRNA intergenic spacer and ospC typing methods have proven to be useful tools for categorizing B. burgdorferi strains that vary in their tendency to disseminate in humans.

Comparison of nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs for influenza detection in adults.

Objective: Examine differences in the detection of influenza by specimen and test type using paired nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs.

Design: Prospective study

Setting: Enrollment took place between January and March 2007 in a central Wisconsin population.

Participants: Adult patients were screened and enrolled by trained research coordinators following medical encounters for acute respiratory illnesses of <10 days duration.

Evaluation of obesity as an independent risk factor for medically attended laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Background: The relationship between obesity and susceptibility to influenza infection in humans is unclear. Morbidly obese people were at an increased risk of complications from 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza [A(H1N1)pdm09].

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza is independently associated with obesity in adults with acute respiratory illness.

Clinical and virologic outcomes in patients with oseltamivir-resistant seasonal influenza A (H1N1) infections: results from a clinical trial.

Nineteen patients with oseltamivir-resistant seasonal influenza A (H1N1) infections were randomized to receive oseltamivir or placebo. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained, and clinical and virologic outcomes were compared, stratified by early or late treatment. Neuraminidase inhibition assay and pyrosequencing for H275Y confirmed resistance.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness in Wisconsin during the 2007-08 season: comparison of interim and final results.

Background: During the 2007-08 influenza season, we reported an interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimate of 44% for preventing medically attended influenza. In this analysis we report results for the entire season and compare them with the interim estimate.

Methods: Patients with feverishness, chills, or cough <8 days duration were prospectively recruited over 10 weeks and tested for influenza by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR).

Comparison of clinical features and outcomes of medically attended influenza A and influenza B in a defined population over four seasons: 2004-2005 through 2007-2008.

Background: There are few prospectively collected data comparing illnesses caused by different subtypes of influenza. We compared the clinical presentation and outcomes of subjects with primarily outpatient-attended influenza A and B infections during four consecutive influenza seasons (2004-2005 through 2007-2008).

Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled and tested for influenza following an encounter for acute respiratory illness.

Prospective study of avian influenza infection in backyard poultry flocks and flock handlers in Wisconsin.

Background: The continuing epizootic of H5N1 avian influenza (AI) in Asia and subsequent zoonotic transmission has led to heightened concerns about a pandemic and the demand for improved surveillance of poultry in all sectors, including backyard poultry. We conducted a 15-month prospective study to determine the prevalence of AI in backyard poultry and extent of transmission to flock handlers.

Methods: Starting July 2007, registered poultry owners in six counties in central Wisconsin were mailed invitations to participate; household members with poultry exposure were also invited.

Clinical characteristics and 30-day outcomes for influenza A 2009 (H1N1), 2008-2009 (H1N1), and 2007-2008 (H3N2) infections.

Context: The clinical characteristics of pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infections have not been compared directly with illnesses caused by other influenza A strains.

Objective: To compare clinical features and outcomes for 2009 H1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H3N2 influenza in a population-based cohort.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Active surveillance with 30-day follow-up for influenza cases among children and adults living in a 14-zip code area in Wisconsin.

Evolution of northeastern and midwestern Borrelia burgdorferi, United States.

The per capita incidence of human Lyme disease in the northeastern United States is more than twice that in the Midwest. However, the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, in the tick vector is nearly identical in the 2 regions. The disparity in human Lyme disease incidence may result from a disparity in the human invasiveness of the bacteria in the Northeast and Midwest caused by fundamentally different evolutionary histories.

Adamantane-resistant influenza infection during the 2004-05 season.

Adamantane-resistant influenza A is an emerging problem, but infections caused by resistant and susceptible viruses have not been compared. We identified adamantane resistance in 47% of 152 influenza A virus (H3N2) isolates collected during 2005. Resistant and susceptible viruses caused similar symptoms and illness duration.

Predictors of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in the feces of vegetarians and newly hospitalized adults in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

To determine whether poultry contact/consumption predicts colonization with antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli, 567 newly hospitalized patients and 100 vegetarians were assessed microbiologically and epidemiologically. Multivariable analysis showed that poultry contact/consumption, other dietary habits, and antimicrobial use did not significantly predict resistance. In contrast, foreign travel significantly predicted both trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance (prevalence ratio, 2.

Performance of Binax NOW Flu A and B and direct fluorescent assay in comparison with a composite of viral culture or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for detection of influenza infection during the 2006 to 2007 season.

The Binax NOW Flu A and Flu B (Binax NOW), direct fluorescent assay (DFA), and viral culture were evaluated and compared with a composite of viral culture or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Participants with medically attended acute respiratory illness were identified through active surveillance during the 2006 to 2007 season, and consenting individuals (n=932) were tested for influenza by culture and RT-PCR. Physicians ordered a rapid antigen test (Binax NOW [n=73] or DFA [n=70]) according to their clinical judgment.

Performance of Directigen flu A+B enzyme immunoassay and direct fluorescent assay for detection of influenza infection during the 2004-2005 season.

Early diagnosis of influenza infection is needed to optimize the benefit of prescribing antiviral drugs. However, the accuracy of rapid tests is highly variable. This study evaluated the performance of Directigen flu A+B enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and direct fluorescent assay (DFA) during the 2004-2005 influenza season.

West Nile virus infection in commercial waterfowl operation, Wisconsin.

A West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak occurred at a commercial waterfowl operation in Wisconsin in 2005. Retrospective analysis of dead and live birds was conducted. WNV was detected by PCR in 84.

Use of streptogramin growth promoters in poultry and isolation of streptogramin-resistant Enterococcus faecium from humans.

Background: Virginiamycin use in poultry selects for Enterococcus faecium with cross-resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin, a drug for vancomycin-resistant E. faecium in humans. We conducted an epidemiologic study of poultry exposures as risk factors for human carriage of quinupristin-dalfopristin-resistant E.