Geographic surveillance of community associated MRSA infections in children using electronic health record data.

Background: Community- associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) cause serious infections and rates continue to rise worldwide. Use of geocoded electronic health record (EHR) data to prevent spread of disease is limited in health service research. We demonstrate how geocoded EHR and spatial analyses can be used to identify risks for CA-MRSA in children, which are tied to place-based determinants and would not be uncovered using traditional EHR data analyses.

A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Antibiotics for Smaller Skin Abscesses.

Background: Uncomplicated skin abscesses are common, yet the appropriate management of the condition in the era of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, double-blind trial involving outpatient adults and children. Patients were stratified according to the presence of a surgically drainable abscess, abscess size, the number of sites of skin infection, and the presence of nonpurulent cellulitis.

Risk of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections among Children Found to be MRSA USA300 Carriers.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine community-associated methicillin resistant (CA-MRSA) carriage and infections and determine risk factors associated specifically with MRSA USA300.

Methods: We conducted a case control study in a pediatric emergency department. Nasal and axillary swabs were collected, and participants were interviewed for risk factors.

Shedding of porcine circovirus type 1 DNA and rotavirus RNA by infants vaccinated with Rotarix®.

Thirty-three infants aged ∼2 months had serial stool samples collected after receipt of Rotarix® vaccine dose 1, and were assessed for shedding of porcine circovirus type 1 DNA and Rotavirus group A RNA by molecular methods. We did not find strong evidence that porcine circovirus type 1 replication occurred. Porcine circovirus type 1 genome with the same sequence as that in Rotarix® was detected in a few infants as late as day ≥ 13; while this timing could suggest there may have been replication and not just transient passage through the gastrointestinal tract, the lack of increase in copy number in any infant supports transient passage and there are inherent limitations to the results.

Rotavirus vaccination rate disparities seen among infants with acute gastroenteritis in Georgia.

Objective: Rotavirus (RV) is one of the most common diarrheal diseases affecting children less than 5 years of age. RV vaccines have greatly reduced this burden in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine possible disparities and socio-economic differences in RV vaccination rates.

Sustained Effectiveness of Monovalent and Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccines in Children.

Objective: Using case-control methodology, we measured the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the 2-dose monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1) and 3-dose pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) series given in infancy against rotavirus disease resulting in hospital emergency department or inpatient care.

Study Design: Children were eligible for enrollment if they presented to any 1 of 3 hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia with diarrhea ≤10 days duration during January-June 2013 and were born after RV1 introduction. Stool samples were tested for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay and immunization records were obtained from providers and the state electronic immunization information system.

Association between mixed rotavirus vaccination types of infants and rotavirus acute gastroenteritis.

Introduction: Rotavirus remains the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under 5 years worldwide. In the US, Rotarix (RV1) and RotaTeq (RV5), have been associated with reductions in and severity of rotavirus disease. Studies have evaluated the impact of RV1 or RV5 but little is known about the impact of incomplete or mixed vaccination upon vaccine effectiveness.