Survey of sexually transmitted disease laboratory methods in US Army laboratories.

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases, in particular Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are ranked as the top 2 most commonly notified disease in the US Army. Although surveillance programs are in place to capture event data, no routine STD surveillance program captures laboratory test information.

Methods: To evaluate laboratory testing practices/methodologies in US Army laboratories in 2007, a questionnaire was distributed to all 38 US Army laboratories.

Frequency of vaccinia virus isolation on semipermeable versus nonocclusive dressings covering smallpox vaccination sites in hospital personnel.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a semipermeable occlusive dressing for hospital workers who receive smallpox vaccination.

Objective: The study was designed to determine the frequency of vaccinia virus isolation from the outer surface of semipermeable dressings and to compare the prevalence of vaccinia virus on the outer surface of semipermeable dressings with its prevalence on the outer surface of nonocclusive dressings.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted on hospital employees who received smallpox vaccination at a military academic medical center.

Prolonged afebrile nonproductive cough illnesses in American soldiers in Korea: a serological search for causation.

A serological study was undertaken to investigate infections in active-duty United States soldiers with illnesses characterized by prolonged, afebrile, nonproductive coughs. Fifty-four soldiers were enrolled with such illness of >/=2 weeks' duration (case patients) along with 55 well soldiers (control subjects). Serum samples were tested for IgG and IgA antibody to 3 Bordetella pertussis antigens, pertussis agglutinins, IgM antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, IgM and IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, and IgM antibody to adenoviruses.

Effect of delayed inoculation of selective media in antenatal detection of group B streptococci.

Objective: To determine accuracy of group B streptococcal culture swabs immediately inoculated after sampling compared with swabs transported to the laboratory and inoculated subsequently.

Methods: Lower genital tract specimens were collected by sweeping two rayon-tipped swabs across the lower vagina and rectum of gravidas at 35-37 weeks' gestation. One swab was placed immediately in selective growth medium (immediate inoculation group).