Histoplasmosis acquired in Alberta, Canada: an epidemiological and genomic study.

Background: The classic geographical range of histoplasmosis in North America primarily includes the states and provinces adjacent to the Ohio, Mississippi, and St Lawrence riverways. Although Alberta, Canada is not typically considered a region of risk for histoplasmosis, cases with suspected local acquisition have been reported. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology and geographical distribution of cases of histoplasmosis in Alberta to assess evidence for local acquisition of infections, using genomic analysis for corroboration.

Examination of Care Milestones for Preventing Congenital Syphilis Transmission Among Syphilis-Infected Pregnant Women in Alberta, Canada: 2017-2019.

Background: An infectious syphilis outbreak in Alberta has resulted in increased congenital syphilis (CS) cases. To shed light on potential risk factors, we used administrative data sets to examine care milestones for the prevention of CS among pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis, as well as correlates of women giving birth to infants with CS.

Methods: Provincial administrative databases were used to identify and describe pregnant women diagnosed with any stage of infectious or noninfectious syphilis who gave birth in Alberta between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019.

Comparative Analysis of Molecular and Serologic Testing for Primary Syphilis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Rising rates of syphilis () requires rapid diagnosis and treatment to manage the growing epidemic. Syphilis serology is imperfect and requires interpretation of multiple tests while molecular diagnostics allows for potential yes-no identification of highly infective, primary anogenital lesions. Accuracy of this testing modality has thus far been limited to small, highly selective studies.

Increasing Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease in First Nations Population, Alberta, Canada, 2003-2017.

The incidence of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease in the general population in Alberta, Canada, has been steadily increasing. To determine whether rates for specific populations such as First Nations are also increasing, we investigated iGAS cases among First Nations persons in Alberta during 2003-2017. We identified cases by isolating GAS from a sterile site and performing emm typing.

The use of laboratory-identified event surveillance to classify adverse outcomes due to infection in Canadian long-term care facilities.

Objective: Adverse outcomes following Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) are not often reported for long-term care facility (LTCF) residents. We focused on the adverse outcomes due to CDI identified in Alberta LTCFs.

Methods: All positive Clostridioides difficile stool specimens identified by laboratory-identified (LabID) event surveillance in Alberta from 2011 to 2018, along with Alberta Continuing Care Information System, were used to define CDI in Alberta LTCFs.

Epidemiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing O157 in the Province of Alberta, Canada, 2009-2016.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) infections are the product of the interaction between bacteria, phages, animals, humans, and the environment. In the late 1980s, Alberta had one of the highest incidences of STEC infections in North America. Herein, we revisit and contextualize the epidemiology of STEC O157 human infections in Alberta for the period 2009-2016.

Increasing Rates of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in Alberta, Canada; 2003-2017.

Background: We present an analysis of increasing rates of invasive group A streptococci (iGAS) over a 15-year period in Alberta, Canada.

Methods: From 2003 to 2017, the type of iGAS isolates was identified from patients with iGAS disease in Alberta. Demographic, clinical, and risk factor data were collected.

How well do ICD-9 physician claim diagnostic codes identify confirmed pertussis cases in Alberta, Canada? A Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Study.

Background: Rates of Bordetella pertussis have been increasing in Alberta, Canada despite vaccination programs. Waning immunity from existing acellular component vaccines may be contributing to this. Vaccine effectiveness can be estimated using a variety of data sources including diagnostic codes from physician billing claims, public health records, reportable disease and laboratory databases.

Epidemiology of pertussis in Alberta, Canada 2004-2015.

Background: We describe the epidemiology of pertussis in Alberta, Canada by person, place, and time between 2004 and 2015, identify outbreak years, and examine vaccination coverage and vaccination timeliness.

Methods: We used health data from Alberta's Communicable Disease Registry System for the period of January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2015 to identify unique cases of pertussis. Unique cases were deterministically linked to data in Alberta's immunization repository and health care insurance plan registry.

Use of laboratory and administrative data to understand the potential impact of human parainfluenza virus 4 on cases of bronchiolitis, croup, and pneumonia in Alberta, Canada.

Background: Human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) causes severe respiratory illness in infants and adults. Our study describes the association of hPIV1-4 with bronchiolitis, croup, and pneumonia using retrospective laboratory, administrative and public health data. Due to issues including the historic lack of hPIV4 in some commercial respiratory virus panels, the description of the impact of hPIV4 on croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia at population levels has often been limited.

The molecular epidemiology of incident methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cases among hospitalized patients in Alberta, Canada: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) surveillance for incident methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitalized patients is performed in a complete provincial surveillance network of all acute care facilities in Alberta, Canada. IPC surveillance is centralized using a web-based data entry platform so that each patient is counted only once. All diagnostic laboratories submit the first clinical MRSA isolate associated with a patient without previous MRSA positive clinical cultures in the preceding year to the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (ProvLab) for molecular typing.

Respiratory Outbreak Investigations: How Many Specimens Should Be Tested?

To determine the optimal number of specimens for virus detection in a respiratory outbreak, laboratory results from 2 Canadian public health laboratories were reviewed. The evidence suggests that 3 specimens are sufficient for detection of a virus in >95% of outbreaks, thereby reducing laboratory costs.

Dominance of two genotypes of Bordetella pertussis during a period of increased pertussis activity in Alberta, Canada: January to August 2012.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to undertake an epidemiological analysis of an increase in Bordetella pertussis activity during the period January 1 to August 31, 2012 in Alberta, Canada. B. pertussis testing was done using an IS481 real-time PCR assay with PCR-positive and indeterminate specimens cultured and stored for further analysis.

Bordetella pertussis in sporadic and outbreak settings in Alberta, Canada, July 2004-December 2012.

Background: ProvLab Alberta provides all laboratory testing for Bordetella pertussis including sporadic cases and outbreak investigations through collaborations with provincial public health partners. We describe B. pertussis activity in Alberta from July 2004 to December 2012.

Use of an innovative web-based laboratory surveillance platform to analyze mixed infections between human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and other respiratory viruses circulating in Alberta (AB), Canada (2009-2012).

We investigated the proportions of mono vs. mixed infections for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as compared to adenovirus (ADV), four types of coronavirus (CRV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), RSV, and enterovirus/rhinovirus (ERV) in Alberta, Canada. Using the Data Integration for Alberta Laboratories (DIAL) platform, 26,226 respiratory specimens at ProvLab between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2012 were selected and included in the study.

Multi-analyte suspension arrays for the detection of common viruses: how viable are these assays in clinical laboratories?

This article assesses the viability of a recently described multi-analyte suspension array for the detection of herpes simplex viruses-1 and -2, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus. This methodology was identified by the authors as a means of providing rapid, high-throughput multiplex assays that were easy to use. When paired with PCR assays, multi-analyte suspension arrays have the ability to overcome drawbacks associated with conventional detection methods such as long turnaround time, detection sensitivity and the ability to detect only one pathogen in each round of testing.