Publications by authors named "Rebecca M Berry"

In the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, reports of domestic triatomine bites were common (67%), with 36% of residentially collected triatomines positive for . Despite the transmission potential, no human infections were detected. Collected species were themselves frequently parasitized with mites.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Current diagnostic protocols of acute Zika virus (ZIKV) infection focus on detection of viral RNA in serum or urine using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); however, detecting infection can be a challenge, given that 80% of people with acute ZIKV infection are asymptomatic, and the window to detect viremia in serum is short. The ability to extend that window is needed to detect ZIKV at later time points after infection, particularly in high-risk individuals such as pregnant women. We evaluated RNA extraction methods to optimize detection of ZIKV in various body fluids using RT-qPCR as a means of improving the analytical sensitivity of detection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We instituted active surveillance among febrile patients presenting to the largest Houston-area pediatric emergency department to identify acute infections of dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In 2014, 1,063 children were enrolled, and 1,015 (95%) had blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid specimens available for DENV, WNV, and CHIKV testing. Almost half (49%) reported recent mosquito bites, and 6% ( = 60) reported either recent international travel or contact with an international traveler.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF