complex prevalence, spatial-temporal distribution, and contamination sources in Canadian aquatic environments.

(ACB) complex has been identified as a group of emerging opportunistic pathogens that cause nosocomial infections. The current study investigates the prevalence, distribution, and diversity of pathogenic ACB complex in various aquatic systems with different uses. Of the total 157 agricultural, raw drinking water intake, recreational beach, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent samples, acinetobacters were isolated, quantified, and confirmed by genus- and ACB complex-specific PCR assays.

A cyclic lipopeptide from Fusarium graminearum targets plant membranes to promote virulence.

Microbial plant pathogens deploy amphipathic cyclic lipopeptides to reduce surface tension in their environment. While plants can detect these molecules to activate cellular stress responses, the role of these lipopeptides or associated host responses in pathogenesis are not fully clear. The gramillin cyclic lipopeptide is produced by the Fusarium graminearum fungus and is a virulence factor and toxin in maize.

Pathogenicity assessment of Arcobacter butzleri isolated from Canadian agricultural surface water.

Background: Water is considered a source for the transmission of Arcobacter species to both humans and animals. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, distribution, and pathogenicity of A. butzleri strains, which can potentially pose health risks to humans and animals.

Quantitative Assessment of First Nations Drinking Water Distribution Systems for Detection and Prevalence of Thermophilic Species.

Water is considered a major route for transmitting human-associated pathogens. Although microbial water quality indicators are used to test for the presence of waterborne pathogens in drinking water, the two are poorly correlated. The current study investigates the prevalence of thermophilic DNA markers specific for spp.

Draft Genome Sequence of sp. Strain CaF467b, Isolated from a Pig Manure Storage Tank.

In this report, we present the draft genome sequence of an unclassified strain, CaF467b. This bacterial isolate was recovered from a pig manure storage tank. The draft genome sequence is 1,655,514 bp in length with 1,709 predicted genes and a G+C content of 34.

Comparative genomics analysis and virulence-related factors in novel Aliarcobacter faecis and Aliarcobacter lanthieri species identified as potential opportunistic pathogens.

Background: Emerging pathogenic bacteria are an increasing threat to public health. Two recently described species of the genus Aliarcobacter, A. faecis and A.

Comparative assessment of growth media and incubation conditions for enhanced recovery and isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii from aquatic matrices.

Acinetobacter baumannii causes serious multidrug resistant nosocomial infections around the world. This comprehensive comparative study was designed to assess the effect of temperature (30, 37 and 42 °C), incubation (aerobic and microaerobic) condition and selective [CHROMagar Acinetobacter (CHR) and Leeds Acinetobacter Medium (LAM)] and non-selective [Modified Karmali Agar (MKA)] growth media on the enhanced recovery of A. baumannii from a variety of water (agricultural, recreational, raw drinking intake source, pre-chlorinated and post-chlorinated wastewater effluent) samples spiked with a known number of A.

Real-time quantitative PCR assay development and application for assessment of agricultural surface water and various fecal matter for prevalence of Aliarcobacter faecis and Aliarcobacter lanthieri.

Background: Aliarcobacter faecis and Aliarcobacter lanthieri are recently identified as emerging human and animal pathogens. In this paper, we demonstrate the development and optimization of two direct DNA-based quantitative real-time PCR assays using species-specific oligonucleotide primer pairs derived from rpoB and gyrA genes for A. faecis and A.

The Canadian anaphylaxis action plan for kids: development and validation.

Objectives: We designed a written Canadian Anaphylaxis Action Plan for Kids (Kids' CAP) which incorporates validated pictograms with written instructions. Using a patient-centered approach, we aimed to validate the Kids' CAP and assess its impact on anaphylaxis recognition and treatment, and to determine its' perceived usefulness.

Patient Involvement: Children and their parents were involved in appraising the design and written contents of the Kids' CAP.

Novel virulence, antibiotic resistance and toxin gene-specific PCR-based assays for rapid pathogenicity assessment of Arcobacter faecis and Arcobacter lanthieri.

Background: Arcobacter faecis and A. lanthieri are two newly classified species of genus Arcobacter. The prevalence and distribution of virulence, antibiotic resistance and toxin (VAT) genes in these species are required to assess their potential pathogenic health impacts to humans and animals.

Quantitative real-time PCR-based assessment of tile drainage management influences on bacterial pathogens in tile drainage and groundwater.

This study compared the impact of controlled tile drainage (CD) and freely draining (FD) systems on the prevalence and quantitative real-time PCR-based enumeration of four major pathogens including Arcobacter butzleri, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Helicobacter pylori in tile- and groundwater following a fall liquid swine manure (LSM) application on clay loam field plots. Although the prevalence of all target pathogens were detected in CD and FD systems, the loads of A. butzleri, C.

Severe, eosinophilic asthma in primary care in Canada: a longitudinal study of the clinical burden and economic impact based on linked electronic medical record data.

Background: Stratification of patients with severe asthma by blood eosinophil counts predicts responders to anti-interleukin (IL)-5 (mepolizumab and reslizumab) and anti-IL-5 receptor α (benralizumab) therapies. This study characterized patients with severe asthma who could qualify for these biologics in a primary care setting.

Methods: We retrospectively selected patients from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2014, using a linked electronic medical records (EMR) database (IMS Evidence 360 EMR Canada) for > 950,000 patients in primary care in Ontario, Canada.

Factors Associated with Adherence to the HEDIS Quality Measure in Medicaid Patients with Schizophrenia.

Background: Treatment continuity is a major challenge in the long-term management of patients with schizophrenia; poor patient adherence to antipsychotic drugs has been associated with negative clinical outcomes. Long-acting injectable therapies may improve adherence and lessen the risk for psychiatric-related relapse, often leading to rehospitalization and higher healthcare costs. Therefore, understanding the determinants of adherence to antipsychotics is critical in the management of patients with schizophrenia.

The Direct Economic Burden of Gout in an Elderly Canadian Population.

Objective: To estimate the direct healthcare cost and resource use from the public payer perspective between patients with incident gout and matched gout-free patients in Ontario.

Methods: Patients with incident gout aged ≥ 66 with uninterrupted Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage in the 1-year baseline period were included in the study. Patients with gout were indexed at first gout diagnosis or prescription over the study period April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2014.

Detection of virulence, antibiotic resistance and toxin (VAT) genes in Campylobacter species using newly developed multiplex PCR assays.

Campylobacter species are one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. This twofold study was sought to: i) develop and optimize four single-tube multiplex PCR (mPCR) assays for the detection of six virulence (ciaB, dnaJ, flaA, flaB, pldA and racR), three toxin (cdtA, cdtB and cdtC) and one antibiotic resistance tet(O) genes in thermophilic Campylobacter spp. and ii) apply and evaluate the developed mPCR assays by testing 470 previously identified C.

Development and evaluation of multiplex PCR assays for rapid detection of virulence-associated genes in Arcobacter species.

As the pathogenicity of Arcobacter species might be associated with various virulence factors, this study was aimed to develop and optimize three single-tube multiplex PCR (mPCR) assays that can efficiently detect multiple virulence-associated genes (VAGs) in Arcobacter spp. including the Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter cryaerophilus and Arcobacter skirrowii, respectively. The recognized target virulence factors used in the study were fibronectin binding protein (cj1349), filamentous hemagglutinin (hecA), hemolysin activation protein (hecB), hemolysin (tlyA), integral membrane protein virulence factor (mviN), invasin (ciaB), outer membrane protein (irgA) and phospholipase (pldA).

Identification, characterization and description of Arcobacter faecis sp. nov., isolated from a human waste septic tank.

A study on the taxonomic classification of Arcobacter species was performed on the cultures isolated from various fecal sources where an Arcobacter strain AF1078(T) from human waste septic tank near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Genetic investigations including 16S rRNA, atpA, cpn60, gyrA, gyrB and rpoB gene sequences of strain AF1078(T) are unique in comparison with other arcobacters. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain is most closely related to Arcobacter lanthieri and Arcobacter cibarius.

Arcobacter lanthieri sp. nov., isolated from pig and dairy cattle manure.

A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and diversity of species of the genus Arcobacter in pig and dairy cattle manure, which led to the identification of strains AF1440T, AF1430 and AF1581. Initially identified as Arcobacter butzleri based on colony morphology and initial PCR-confirmation tests, analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences of these strains confirmed that they belonged to the genus Arcobacter and were different from all known species of the genus. The isolates formed a distinct group within the genus Arcobacter based on their 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB, cpn60, gyrA and atpA gene sequences and fatty acid profiles.

Effect of rivaroxaban versus warfarin on health care costs among nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients: observations from rivaroxaban users and matched warfarin users.

Introduction: New target-specific oral anticoagulants may have benefits, such as shorter hospital length of stay, compared to warfarin in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This study aimed to assess, among patients with NVAF, the effect of rivaroxaban versus warfarin on health care costs in a cohort of rivaroxaban users and matched warfarin users.

Methods: Health care claims from the Humana database from 5/2011 to 12/2012 were analyzed.

Effects of rivaroxaban versus warfarin on hospitalization days and other health care resource utilization in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: an observational study from a cohort of matched users.

Purpose: Compared with warfarin, the new target-specific oral anticoagulant agents may have advantages, such as shorter hospital length of stay, in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The objective of the present study was to assess, among patients with NVAF, the effects of rivaroxaban versus warfarin on the number of hospitalization days and other health care resource utilization in a cohort of rivaroxaban users and matched warfarin users.

Methods: Data from health care claims dated from May 2011 to December 2012 from the Humana database were analyzed.

Economic burden of brain metastases among patients with metastatic melanoma in a USA managed care population.

Malignant melanoma patients frequently relapse with metastases in the brain, making it the third most common cancer-causing brain metastases in the USA. Management of brain metastases remains challenging because of the rapid progression of disease and ineffectiveness of conventional therapies. This retrospective study, with a 'pre/post' design, quantifies the economic burden of brain metastases among melanoma patients in the USA.

Draft genome sequences of three arcobacter strains of pig and dairy cattle manure origin.

The genus Arcobacter has been associated with human illness and fecal contamination by humans and animals. Here, we announce the draft genome sequences of three strains of Arcobacter species cultured from pig and dairy cattle manure tanks. This information will assist in the characterization of features related to host specificities and identify potential pathogenic health risks to humans and animals.

Weekly risk of venous thromboembolism recurrence in patients receiving oral anticoagulants.

Background: Data is currently lacking in evaluating the weekly rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients receiving anticoagulants.

Objective: To quantify the risk of VTE recurrence during the first 12 weeks after an index VTE event.

Methods: Healthcare claims from Truven Health Analytics MarketScan database from January 2007 to June 2012 were analyzed.