scholarly journals Severe Pertussis Infections in the United States, 2011–2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A Mbayei ◽  
Amanda Faulkner ◽  
Christine Miner ◽  
Karen Edge ◽  
Victor Cruz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The incidence of pertussis in the United States has increased in recent years. While characteristics of severe pertussis infection have been described in infants, fewer data are available in older children and adults. In this analysis, we characterize pertussis infections in hospitalized patients of all ages. Methods Cases of pertussis with cough onset from 1 January 2011 through 31 December 2015 from 7 US Emerging Infections Program Network states were reviewed. Additional information on hospitalized patients was obtained through abstraction of the inpatient medical record. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to characterize severe pertussis infection and identify potential risk factors. Results Among 15942 cases of pertussis reported, 515 (3.2%) were hospitalized. Three hospitalized patients died. Infants aged <2 months accounted for 1.6% of all pertussis cases but 29.3% of hospitalizations. Infants aged 2–11 months and adults aged ≥65 years also had high rates of hospitalization. Infants aged <2 months whose mothers received acellular pertussis during the third trimester and children aged 2 months to 11 years who were up to date on pertussis-containing vaccines had a 43%–66% reduced risk of hospitalization. Among adolescents aged 12–20 years, 43.5% had a history of asthma, and among adults aged ≥65 years, 26.8% had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusions Individuals at the extreme ends of life may be the most vulnerable to severe pertussis infections, though hospitalization was reported across all age groups. Continued monitoring of severe pertussis infections will be important to help guide prevention, control, and treatment options.

Author(s):  
Larry DeWitt ◽  
Edward D. Berkowitz

This chapter considers the history of Social Security, arguing that the 1950 amendments represented the fundamental adjustment that allowed the program’s long-term survival. It analyzes current issues in Social Security related to gender, race, and the program’s long-term solvency. It concludes that Social Security has legitimized the receipt of government benefits among many Americans and changed the nature of old age in the United States by providing older people with a guaranteed means of support. A large and costly program, Social Security has evolved into the United States’ major antipoverty program. Nonetheless it faces the criticism of those who argue that it favors older people over other age groups and that it represents an inefficient form of government coercion. Whether the program will be sustained in the future or modified in a significant way remains a critical question.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S411-S411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Castanheira ◽  
Jennifer M Streit ◽  
Alisa W Serio ◽  
Kevin M Krause ◽  
Robert K Flamm

Abstract Background Plazomicin is a next-generation aminoglycoside that is currently under review at the United States Food and Drug Administration for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including acute pyelonephritis, and bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to certain Enterobacteriaceae (ENT) in patients who have limited or no alternative treatment options. We evaluated the activity of plazomicin and aminoglycosides against ENT isolates collected in US hospitals during 2014 to 2017 by site of infection. Methods A total of 8,510 ENT isolates were collected from BSIs (2,133), pneumonia in hospitalized patients (PIHP; 1,826), skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs; 1,155), intra-abdominal infections (IAIs; 731), UTIs (2,508), and other or unknown infection sites (others; 157) in 71 US hospitals during 2014 to 2017. Isolates were susceptibility (S) tested by reference broth microdilution methods and results were interpreted using CLSI breakpoints. Results Plazomicin (MIC50/90 ranges, 0.25–0.5/1–2 µg/mL) inhibited 98.8–99.9% of the ENT isolates at ≤4 µg/mL across all infection types (figure). At ≤4 µg/mL, plazomicin inhibited 93.8–100% of the carbapenem-resistant ENT (CRE) isolates stratified by infection type. The S rates for amikacin ranged from 98.7% to 99.7% against ENT isolates overall. However, amikacin S rates for CRE ranged from 53.1% for UTI to 100% for IAI isolates. Gentamicin (89.2–93.6%S) and tobramycin (88.8–94.3%S) were slightly less active than plazomicin and amikacin against the ENT isolates stratified by infection source. Gentamicin S rates against CRE isolates ranged from 43.8% to 66.7% while tobramycin inhibited &lt;45% of the CRE isolates from the different infection sources. Conclusion The activity of plazomicin and amikacin was similar against ENT isolates from US hospitals and did not vary by infection type; however, amikacin activity against CRE isolates varied by infection source while plazomicin remained active against CRE isolates regardless of infection source. These results highlight the potential role of plazomicin for treating serious infections caused by CRE. This project was partially funded under BARDA Contract No. HHSO100201000046C. Disclosures M. Castanheira, Achaogen: Research Contractor, Research support. J. M. Streit, Achaogen: Research Contractor, Research support. A. W. Serio, Achaogen: Employee, Salary. K. M. Krause, Achaogen: Employee, Salary. R. K. Flamm, Achaogen: Research Contractor, Research support.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Chopra ◽  
Lauren H Marasa

Opioid use disorder is a growing epidemic, with an alarming number of associated deaths. In 2014, in the United States, 18,893 lethal overdoses were related to prescription opioids and 10,574 due to heroin. Despite the growing number of treatment options for substance use disorders, which are chronic, relapsing-remitting conditions, relapse rates remain as high as 91%. In the United States, 7.5 million children reside with at least one patient who abuses drugs or alcohol. Mothers are twice as likely to lose custody of their children. They have higher rates of comorbid abuse and psychopathology and limited social supports. Child service agencies, commonly involved in these scenarios, are often pressured to find permanent placement for children, within an expedited timeframe, inconsistent with the need for sufficient time for recovery and goals of family inclusion and unity. We present the complicated case of a 25-year-old woman with a history of opioid use disorder and depression, who, after being in and out of treatment programs for years, had a lethal overdose. She had a significant family history of addiction and had lost custody of her children. This challenging, but common presentation draws attention to challenges in providing treatment during this opioid epidemic.


1919 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 414-414
Author(s):  
No authorship indicated

Author(s):  
Rosina Lozano

An American Language is a political history of the Spanish language in the United States. The nation has always been multilingual and the Spanish language in particular has remained as an important political issue into the present. After the U.S.-Mexican War, the Spanish language became a language of politics as Spanish speakers in the U.S. Southwest used it to build territorial and state governments. In the twentieth century, Spanish became a political language where speakers and those opposed to its use clashed over what Spanish's presence in the United States meant. This book recovers this story by using evidence that includes Spanish language newspapers, letters, state and territorial session laws, and federal archives to profile the struggle and resilience of Spanish speakers who advocated for their language rights as U.S. citizens. Comparing Spanish as a language of politics and as a political language across the Southwest and noncontiguous territories provides an opportunity to measure shifts in allegiance to the nation and exposes differing forms of nationalism. Language concessions and continued use of Spanish is a measure of power. Official language recognition by federal or state officials validates Spanish speakers' claims to US citizenship. The long history of policies relating to language in the United States provides a way to measure how U.S. visions of itself have shifted due to continuous migration from Latin America. Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens are crucial arbiters of Spanish language politics and their successes have broader implications on national policy and our understanding of Americans.


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