A novel histologic index for polyomavirus nephropathy in comparison with the Banff scoring system: Clinical validation, prognostic implication, and correlation with plasma viral load.

BK Polyomavirus nephropathy (PVN) with definitive diagnosis on biopsy, presents incidentally or with varying degrees of graft dysfunction. Banff working group on PVN has proposed a novel scoring system in renal biopsies, to identify patients with higher risk of graft failure. In this study, we attempted to validate the Banff scoring system at index biopsies and correlate with a novel index score, plasma BK-virus load and graft outcome.

[Use of standardized criteria to verify interruption of a measles outbreak in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area during the COVID-19 pandemicEncerramento do surto de sarampo na área metropolitana de Buenos Aires durante a pandemia de COVID-19 aplicando critérios padronizados].

Objective: To describe the strategy implemented for interruption of the 2019-2020 measles outbreak in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and application of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) standardized outbreak closure criteria to verify interruption of viral circulation in an adverse setting (the COVID-19 pandemic).

Methods: Descriptive, retrospective observational study of the actions taken in response to the measles outbreak that occurred between epidemiological week (EW) 35 of 2019 and EW 12 of 2020. Interruption of viral circulation was documented through epidemiological, vaccination-coverage, and laboratory criteria.

Secondary use of routinely collected administrative health data for epidemiologic research: Answering research questions using data collected for a different purpose.

The use of routinely collected administrative health data for research can provide unique insights to inform decision-making and, ultimately, support better public health outcomes. Yet, since these data are primarily collected to administer healthcare service delivery, challenges exist when using such data for secondary purposes, namely epidemiologic research. Many of these challenges stem from the researcher's lack of control over the quality and consistency of data collection, and - furthermore - a lessened understanding of the data being analyzed.

Retention in primary care among unstably housed residents of a low-income, inner-city neighborhood with a high prevalence of substance use and related disorders.

Introduction: Access to and engagement with primary healthcare can be difficult for marginalized low-income populations residing in inner cities in high-income countries. We designed a study to examine retention in primary care among clients of a novel interdisciplinary primary care clinic in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada who did not previously have access to care.

Methods: Beginning in June 2021, clients of the Hope to Health clinic were offered enrolment in a cohort study which involved a baseline and follow-up surveys every six months, and linking their data to information from the clinic's electronic medical records.