International circumpolar surveillance: update on the interlaboratory quality control program for , 2009 to 2020.

Unlabelled: The International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) program is a population-based surveillance network for invasive bacterial diseases throughout Arctic countries and territories. The ICS quality control program for serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing has been ongoing since 1999. Current participating laboratories include the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health in Edmonton, Alberta; Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec; the Centers for Disease Control's Arctic Investigations Program in Anchorage, Alaska; the Neisseria and Streptococcus Reference Laboratory at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark; the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Landspitali in Reykjavik, Iceland; and Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and Potential Impact of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Among Adults, Including Persons Experiencing Homelessness-Alaska, 2011-2020.

Background: Adults aged ≥65 years, adults with certain underlying medical conditions, and persons experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Two new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20), were recently approved for use in US adults. We describe the epidemiology of IPD among Alaska adults and estimate the proportion of IPD cases potentially preventable by new vaccines.

Genomic Diversity of Haemophilus influenzae Serotype a in an Outbreak Community-Alaska, 2018.

Background: Haemophilus influenzae serotype a (Hia) can cause severe invasive disease, especially in young children. In 2018, 4 invasive Hia cases occurred in an Alaska community. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to evaluate the relationship of the bacteria from this community and other Alaska patients with invasive Hia.

Haemophilus influenzae Serotype a (Hia) Carriage in a Small Alaska Community After a Cluster of Invasive Hia Disease, 2018.

Background: Between May and July 2018, 4 Haemophilus influenzae serotype a (Hia) infections occurred in a remote Alaska community. We performed a public health response to prevent further illness and understand Hia carriage.

Methods: We collected oropharyngeal samples community-wide to evaluate baseline carriage.

Antimicrobial resistance among Helicobacter pylori isolates in Alaska, 2000-2016.

Objectives: Alaska Natives experience a high burden of Helicobacter pylori infection and concomitant high rates of gastric cancer. Additionally, the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant H. pylori has been shown to be high in Alaska.

Epidemiology of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in Alaska, 2001 to 2013.

The Arctic Investigations Program (AIP) began surveillance for invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections in Alaska in 2000 as part of the invasive bacterial diseases population-based laboratory surveillance program. Between 2001 and 2013, there were 516 cases of GAS infection reported, for an overall annual incidence of 5.8 cases per 100,000 persons with 56 deaths (case fatality rate, 10.

Reinfection after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori in three different populations in Alaska.

We performed a study to determine rates of reinfection in three groups followed for 2 years after successful treatment: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons living in urban (group 1) and rural (group 2) communities, and urban Alaska non-Native persons (group 3). We enrolled adults diagnosed with H. pylori infection based on a positive urea breath test (13C-UBT).

Molecular epidemiology of serotype 19A Streptococcus pneumoniae among invasive isolates from Alaska, 1986-2010.

Background: After the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in Alaska, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) due to non-vaccine serotypes, particularly serotype 19A, increased. The aim of this study was to describe the molecular epidemiology of IPD due to serotype 19A in Alaska.

Methods: IPD data were collected from 1986 to 2010 through population-based laboratory surveillance.

Molecular resistance mechanisms of macrolide-resistant invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Alaska, 1986 to 2010.

The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains has reduced treatment options. The aim of this study was to determine antimicrobial susceptibilities, serotype distributions, and molecular resistance mechanisms among macrolide-resistant invasive pneumococcal isolates in Alaska from 1986 to 2010. We identified cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in Alaska from 1986 to 2010 through statewide population-based laboratory surveillance.

Longitudinal nasopharyngeal carriage and antibiotic resistance of respiratory bacteria in indigenous Australian and Alaska native children with bronchiectasis.

Background: Indigenous children in Australia and Alaska have very high rates of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD)/bronchiectasis. Antibiotics, including frequent or long-term azithromycin in Australia and short-term beta-lactam therapy in both countries, are often prescribed to treat these patients. In the Bronchiectasis Observational Study we examined over several years the nasopharyngeal carriage and antibiotic resistance of respiratory bacteria in these two PCV7-vaccinated populations.

Epidemiology of pneumococcal serotype 6A and 6C among invasive and carriage isolates from Alaska, 1986-2009.

We investigated serotype 6A/6C invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence, genetic diversity, and carriage before and after 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) introduction in Alaska. IPD cases (1986-2009) were identified through population-based laboratory surveillance. Isolates were initially serotyped by conventional methods, and 6C isolates were differentiated from 6A by polymerase chain reaction.

Alaska sentinel surveillance study of Helicobacter pylori isolates from Alaska Native persons from 2000 to 2008.

Helicobacter pylori infection is more common in Alaska Native persons than in the general U.S. population, with seroprevalence to H.

The International Circumpolar Surveillance interlaboratory quality control program for Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1999 to 2008.

The International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) Program was initiated in 1999 to conduct population-based surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease in select regions of the Arctic. An interlaboratory quality control (QC) program for pneumococcal serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing was incorporated into ICS by reference laboratories in northern Canada (Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec [LSPQ] in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue, Québec; National Centre for Streptococcus [NCS] in Edmonton, Alberta) and Alaska (Arctic Investigations Program [AIP]). The World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Pneumococci at the Statens Serum Institute (SSI) in Copenhagen, Denmark, joined the QC program in 2004.

Impact of conjugate vaccine on transmission of antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae among Alaskan children.

Background: The impact of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) on transmission of antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important concern for countries considering PCV7 introduction.

Methods: Every winter from 2000 to 2004, as PCV7 was routinely introduced, we obtained nasopharyngeal swabs for pneumococcal culture, serotyping, and susceptibility testing from 150 children aged 3-59 months at each of 3 Anchorage, Alaska clinics. We assessed risk factors for pneumococcal carriage, including vaccination status and antimicrobial use.

The relationship between previous fluoroquinolone use and levofloxacin resistance in Helicobacter pylori infection.

The relationship between prior fluoroquinolone use and levofloxacin resistance in Helicobacter pylori infection is unknown. Among 125 enrolled patients, 8.8% had H.

Alaska sentinel surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori isolates from Alaska native persons, 1999-2003.

Background: Previous studies in Alaska have demonstrated elevated proportions of antimicrobial resistance among Helicobacter pylori isolates.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed H. pylori data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s sentinel surveillance in Alaska from July 1999 to June 2003 to determine the proportion of culture-positive biopsies from Alaska Native persons undergoing routine upper-endoscopy, and the susceptibility of H.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity to Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) conjugate vaccine among rural Alaska adults.

Background: Despite routine vaccination and declining disease rates, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) invasive disease still occurs in rural Alaska. Colonization studies indicate persistent transmission of Hib among village residents, including adults. As part of a project to eliminate Hib carriage in three rural villages, we evaluated a cohort of Alaska adults for antibody response and reactogenicity to a single dose of Hib conjugate vaccine (HbOC).

Indirect effect of conjugate vaccine on adult carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae: an explanation of trends in invasive pneumococcal disease.

Background: Use of heptavalent protein-polysaccharide pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been associated with decreases in PCV7-type invasive pneumococcal disease and nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage in children. Vaccine use has also indirectly decreased the rate of invasive disease in adults, presumably through decreased transmission of pneumococci from vaccinated children to adults.

Methods: We conducted NP carriage surveys in 8 villages in Alaska in 1998-2004.

Reinfection after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a 2-year prospective study in Alaska Natives.

Background: Limited information exists regarding risk factors for reinfection after cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Aim: To determine the 2-year reinfection rate of H. pylori in a cohort of urban Alaska Natives.

Evaluation of seaFAST, a rapid fluorescent in situ hybridization test, for detection of Helicobacter pylori and resistance to clarithromycin in paraffin-embedded biopsy sections.

A commercially available rapid fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) test, (seaFAST H. pylori Combi-Kit; SeaPro Theranostics International, Lelystad, The Netherlands) was used to simultaneously detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori and determine clarithromycin susceptibility in paraffin-embedded biopsy sections. The FISH method was found to be 97% sensitive, 94% specific for the detection of H.

Impact of a conjugate vaccine on community-wide carriage of nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae in Alaska.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of invasive bacterial disease and pneumonia among children. Antimicrobial resistance among pneumococci has increased in recent years and complicates treatment. The introduction of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) could reduce acquisition of antimicrobial-resistant pneumococci.

Community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus associated with antibiotic use and the cytotoxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin during a furunculosis outbreak in rural Alaska.

Background: Community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CO-MRSA) reports are increasing, and infections often involve soft tissue. During a CO-MRSA skin infection outbreak in Alaska, we assessed risk factors for disease and whether a virulence factor, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), could account for the high rates of MRSA skin infection in this region.

Methods: We conducted S.

The relationship among previous antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance, and treatment outcomes for Helicobacter pylori infections.

Background: The relationship between previous antimicrobial treatments and infection with drug-resistant Helicobacter pylori is unknown.

Objectives: To determine whether previous use of antimicrobial agents predicts subsequent antibiotic resistance of H. pylori and whether resistance affects treatment outcome.

An outbreak of community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections in southwestern Alaska.

Objective: We investigated a large outbreak of community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in southwestern Alaska to determine the extent of these infections and whether MRSA isolates were likely community acquired.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Rural southwestern Alaska.