Risk behaviors in a rural community with a known point-source exposure to chronic wasting disease.

Background: The emergence and continuing spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in cervids has now reached 14 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and South Korea, producing a potential for transmission of CWD prions to humans and other animals globally.

Use of DNA fingerprinting to investigate a multiyear, multistate tuberculosis outbreak.

In 1998-1999, the Baltimore TB control program detected a cluster of 21 tuberculosis (TB) cases. Patients reported frequent travel to various East Coast cities. An investigation was conducted to determine whether transmission of the same Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain was occurring in these other localities.

Identification and evolution of an IS6110 low-copy-number Mycobacterium tuberculosis cluster.

A cohort of 56 patients infected with related strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the S75 group, was identified in a New Jersey population-based study of all isolates with a low number of copies of the insertion element IS6110. Genotyping was combined with surveillance data to identify the S75 group and to elucidate its recent evolution. The S75 group had similar demographic and geographic characteristics.

Spread of strain W, a highly drug-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, across the United States.

Strain W, a highly drug-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was responsible for large nosocomial outbreaks in New York in the early 1990s. To describe the spread of strain W outside New York, we reviewed data from epidemiologic investigations, national tuberculosis surveillance, regional DNA fingerprint laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mycobacteriology Laboratory to identify potential cases of tuberculosis due to strain W. From January 1992 through February 1997, 23 cases were diagnosed in nine states and Puerto Rico; 8 were exposed to strain W in New York before their diagnosis; 4 of the 23 transmitted disease to 10 others.

Predictors of sputum culture conversion among patients with tuberculosis in the era of tuberculosis resurgence.

Background: Sputum culture conversion among patients with tuberculosis (TB) is the most important indicator for the effectiveness of treatment and the infectivity of the disease. We sought to investigate predictors for documented sputum culture conversion among TB cases reported in the surveillance system.

Methods: This study included 780 patients with pulmonary TB who were initially sputum culture positive in New Jersey in 1994-1995.

Distinct trends in tuberculosis morbidity among foreign-born and US-born persons in New Jersey, 1986 through 1995.

Objectives: This study evaluated tuberculosis (TB) morbidity trends among foreign-born and US-born persons.

Methods: TB surveillance data in New Jersey from 1986 to 1995 were analyzed.

Results: The overall TB incidence rate in New Jersey declined 15% from 1992 to 1995 after 7 years of increase.

Initial drug regimens for the treatment of tuberculosis: evaluation of physician prescribing practices in New Jersey, 1994 to 1995.

Study Objective: To evaluate physician prescribing practices for the initial therapy for tuberculosis (TB) according to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Thoracic Society (ATS).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Statewide TB surveillance system in New Jersey, 1994 to 1995.

Epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis in New Jersey from 1991 to 1995.

Background: In a nationwide survey in 1991, the proportion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin (MDR-TB) in New Jersey (6.6%) was ranked second highest in the United States. The objectives of this study were to describe drug-resistant TB trend and to investigate risk factors for TB patients with isolates resistant to isoniazid or rifampin or both.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission from a pediatrician to patients.

Unlabelled: The following report describes the contact investigation of a pediatrician with tuberculosis (TB). The pediatrician's disease was discovered in late February 1993 after tuberculin skin testing (TST) of his 15-month-old son was positive (13-mm induration). Further investigation to identify the source of the child's infection revealed a positive (15-mm induration) TST in the pediatrician.