Research Publications (Food Safety)

Cyclosporiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the foodborne parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Annually reported cases have been increasing in the United States prompting development of genotyping tools to aid cluster detection. A recently developed Cyclospora genotyping system based on 8 genetic markers was applied to clinical samples collected during the cyclosporiasis peak period of 2020, facilitating assessment of its epidemiologic utility.

New O-antigen-based vaccines against Shigella are in clinical development. Historical efficacy studies identify serum O-antigen immunoglobulin G as a correlate of protection, leading to the suggestion that accelerated licensure could be achieved using the Shigella-controlled human infection model (CHIM).

The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes invades host cells, ruptures the internalization vacuole, and reaches the cytosol for replication. A high-content small interfering RNA (siRNA) microscopy screen allowed us to identify epithelial cell factors involved in L. monocytogenes vacuolar rupture, including the serine/threonine kinase Taok2. Kinase activity inhibition using a specific drug validated a role for Taok2 in favoring L. monocytogenes cytoplasmic access.

Background Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease associated with potentially fatal diarrhea. The most used method in Cryptosporidium subtyping is based on the glycoprotein gene gp60. Each infection can represent a parasite population, and it is important to investigate the influence on transmission and virulence, as well as any impact on public health investigations. However, an easy-to-use method for detection is lacking.

Background Brucella species are Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that causes severe inflammatory diseases in animals and humans. Two major lipoproteins (L19 and L16) of Brucella outer membrane proteins were studied to explore the association with inflammatory response of human monocytes (THP-1).

Background Typhoid fever causes substantial morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a case-control study in Vellore, southern India, to understand risk factors for transmission of typhoid.

Background The Sustainable Development Goals identified universal access to water and sanitation facilities as key components for improving health. We assessed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and associated determinants among residents of urban slums in Kolkata, India. Methods Information on WASH practices was collected in 2 surveys (2018 and 2019) from participants of a prospective enteric fever surveillance conducted in 2 municipal wards of Kolkata.

Background We aimed to detect influenza variants with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) and oseltamivir and identify differences in the clinical course between children with and without these variants after antiviral treatment. Methods During the 2019–2020 influenza season, we enrolled children with confirmed influenza A (20 treated with baloxavir and 16 with oseltamivir).

Background Precise and cost-efficient human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence and drug resistance surveillances are in high demand for the advancement of the 90-90-90 “treatment for all” target. Methods We developed microdrop HIV sequencing for the HIV incidence and drug resistance assay (HIDA), a single-blood-draw surveillance tool for incidence and drug resistance mutation (DRM) detection.

Progesterone has been recognized as essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, and is typically known as an immunosuppressive agent. However, its effects on mediating Brucella infection–induced inflammation have not been evaluated. Here we demonstrated that Brucella abortus infection inhibits progesterone levels in the pregnant mouse by suppressing the production of progesterone by placenta.

Background Factors that lead human papillomavirus (HPV) infections to persist and progress to cancer are not fully understood. We evaluated co-factors for acquisition, persistence, and progression of non–HPV-16/18 infections among HPV-vaccinated women. Methods We analyzed 2153 women aged 18–25 years randomized to the HPV-vaccine arm of the Costa Rica HPV Vaccine Trial. Women were HPV DNA negative for all types at baseline and followed for approximately 11 years.

Citrobacter freundii is a significant cause of human infections, responsible for food poisoning, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. We previously identified a highly cytotoxic and adhesive C. freundii strain CF74 expressing a type VI secretion system (T6SS). In this study, we showed that in mice-derived macrophages, C. freundii CF74 activated the Nucleotide Oligomerization Domain -Like Receptor Family, Pyrin Domain Containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasomes in a T6SS-dependent manner. The C.

Background Susceptibility to Vibrio cholerae infection is affected by blood group, age, and preexisting immunity, but these factors only partially explain who becomes infected. A recent study used 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing to quantify the composition of the gut microbiome and identify predictive biomarkers of infection with limited taxonomic resolution. Methods To achieve increased resolution of gut microbial factors associated with V.

The opioid epidemic in the United States, along with a lack of adequate harm reduction services, has contributed to a sharp rise in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Despite considerable evidence of the effectiveness of HCV treatment in people who inject drugs (PWID), and recommendations from clinical guidelines to prioritize treatment in PWID, there are multiple barriers to broad uptake of HCV treatment.

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization in infants. Early detection of RSV can optimize clinical management and minimize use of antibiotics. BinaxNOW RSV (BN) is a rapid antigen detection test that is widely used. We aimed to validate the sensitivity of BN in hospitalized and nonhospitalized infants against the gold standard of molecular diagnosis.

In 2015, a large human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreak occurred among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Indiana. During 2016–2019, additional outbreaks among PWID occurred across the United States. Based on information disseminated by responding health departments and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) involvement, we offer perspectives about characteristics of and public health responses to 6 such outbreaks.

Background In 2018, Philadelphia identified an outbreak of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Although conventional HIV surveillance systems capture individual-level behavioral risk, they are not able to capture the social and environmental factors contributing to rapid transmission.

Background In the United States, many opioid treatment programs (OTPs) do not offer viral hepatitis (VH) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing despite high prevalence among OTP clients. We initiated an opt-out VH and HIV testing and linkage-to-care program within our OTP. Methods All OTP intakes are screened for VH and HIV and evaluated for rescreening annually. A patient navigator reviews laboratory results and provides counseling in the OTP clinic.

In the United States, we are experiencing linked epidemics (a syndemic) of substance use disorders (SUDs) and infections associated with drug use, including unsafe injecting and unsafe sex in exchange for drugs or money. Current drug laws, together with risk-taking behavior among persons with SUDs, contribute to disproportionately high prevalences of these conditions in correctional settings.

Delayed administration of active anti-infective therapy is associated with increased rates of adverse events, mortality, and costs among sepsis patients. Inherent limitations of conventional culture identification methods and the lengthy turnaround time of antimicrobial susceptibility testing are significant barriers to the timely delivery of life-saving therapy, particularly among antibiotic-resistant infections.

In “Interventions in Live Poultry Markets for the Control of Avian Influenza: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” by Shi et al [J Infect Dis 2019; https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz372], there was an error in a grant number.

Background Chronic norovirus infection in immunocompromised patients can be severe, and presently there is no effective treatment. Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells has proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of many viral infections, and this could represent a novel treatment approach for chronic norovirus infection. Hence, we sought to generate human norovirus-specific T cells (NSTs) that can recognize different viral sequences.

Background This review aimed to provide constructive suggestions for the control and management of avian influenza through quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the impact of different live poultry market (LPM) interventions. Methods Both English and Chinese language databases were searched for articles that were published on or before 9 November 2018.

Background Influenza viruses must utilize host factors to complete their lifecycle. Species-specific differences in host factors between birds and mammals mean that avian influenza viruses (AIVs) replicate well in avian hosts but not in human hosts. Acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member A (ANP32A) has been identified as the host restriction factor for the viral polymerase (vPol) activity of AIVs.

Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is a cluster of malformation, and the mechanisms that lead it are still unclear. Using hypothesis-driven candidate genes and their function in viral infections, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a sample population from Sergipe State, Brazil.