scholarly journals 1214. Microbiological and Clinical Effectiveness of Pulsed-Xenon Ultraviolet Disinfection of the Patient Room in the ICU

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S436-S437
Author(s):  
Keita Morikane ◽  
Shoko Suzuki ◽  
Jun Yoshioka ◽  
Jun Yakuwa ◽  
Masaki Nakane
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
The Us

Abstract Background Contact precautions do not necessarily control transmission of MDROs as other route of transmission such as patient environment may be significant. No-touch environmental disinfection has been highlighted in the past several years to control transmission of MDROs. The effectiveness of portable Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet (PX-UV) device has been examined and demonstrated in US healthcare settings. However, its effectiveness outside the US healthcare setting is seldom reported. Methods This study was conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Yamagata University Hospital, a 637-bed tertiary referral hospital. The ICU has six rooms and beds. In the baseline period (August 2016 to January 2018), all rooms were manually cleaned after every patient transfer/discharge. In the intervention period (February 2018 to February 2019), PX-UV disinfection was added after the manual cleaning. In both periods, all patients were screened for MRSA and two drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (2DRA) to detect acquisition of those pathogens in the ICU. For microbiological evaluation, surfaces were selected for sampling by contact plates before/after manual cleaning and after PX-UV. After overnight incubation, colonies on the plates were counted. Results The incidence of newly acquired MRSA declined over time (1.40 per 1,000 patient-days in the baseline period to 0.95 in the intervention period, relative risk (RR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12–3.70). The incidence of newly acquired 2DRA further declined (4.91 to 1.90, RR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.13–1.18). Notably, no new acquisition of 2DRA was observed since August 2018 for more than 7 months, not only in the ICU but also throughout the hospital. The total count of colonies in the sampling of 140 sites after 17 patient discharges were 3,540 (before manual cleaning), 669 (after manual cleaning, before PX-UV) and 261 (after PX-UV). The percent reduction of microbiological burden by manual cleaning was 81%, but a further 61% reduction was achieved by PX-UV. Conclusion PX-UV is effective in further reducing the microbial burden even after through manual cleaning, which presumably led to termination of transmission of 2DRA in our hospital. The effectiveness of PX-UV in controlling MDROs in the non-US healthcare settings is suggested. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Clinical and microbiological effect of pulsed xenon ultraviolet disinfection to reduce multidrug-resistant organisms in the intensive care unit in a Japanese hospital: a before-after study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Morikane ◽  
Shoko Suzuki ◽  
Jun Yoshioka ◽  
Jun Yakuwa ◽  
Masaki Nakane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Uv Disinfection ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
The Past ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽  
Environmental Disinfection

Abstract Background No-touch environmental disinfection using ultraviolet devices has been highlighted in the past several years to control the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). However, its effectiveness in non-US healthcare settings is yet to be examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfection by portable pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) devices in controlling transmission of MDROs in a non-US healthcare setting. Methods All patients admitted in the intensive care unit in a 629-bed tertiary referral hospital in Japan from August 2016 to February 2019 were enrolled. During the study period, PX-UV disinfection was added to manual terminal cleaning after every patient transfer/discharge. For microbiological evaluation, surfaces were selected for sampling by contact plates before/after manual cleaning and after PX-UV. After overnight incubation, colonies on the plates were counted. Results The incidence of newly acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) declined significantly (13.8 to 9.9 per 10,000 patient days, incidence rate ratio 0.71, p=0.002), as well as that of newly acquired drug-resistant Acinetobacter (48.5 to 18.1, 0.37, p<0.001). The percent reduction of the microbiological burden by manual cleaning was 81%, but a further 59% reduction was achieved by PX-UV. Conclusions PX-UV is effective in further reducing the microbial burden and controlling MDROs in a non-US healthcare setting.

scholarly journals Nonimpact of Decolonization as an Adjunctive Measure to Contact Precautions for the Control of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Transmission in Acute Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance R. Peterson ◽  
Marc O. Wright ◽  
Jennifer L. Beaumont ◽  
Vanida Komutanon ◽  
Parul A. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Program Analysis ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
Clinical Disease ◽  
Disease Rate ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Contact Precautions

ABSTRACTThis was an observational study comparing methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) transmission with no decolonization of medical patients to required decolonization of all MRSA carriers during two consecutive periods: baseline with no decolonization of medical patients (16 months) and universal MRSA carrier decolonization (13 months). The setting was a one-hospital, 156-bed facility with 9,200 annual admissions. Regression models were used to compare rates of MRSA acquisition. The chi-square test was used to compare event frequencies. We used rates of MRSA clinical disease as an outcome monitor of the program. Analysis was done on 15,666 patients who had admission and discharge tests; 27.9% of inpatient days were occupied by a MRSA-positive patient (colonized patient-days) who received decolonization while hospitalized during the baseline period (this 27.9% represented those who had planned surgery) compared to 76.0% during the intervention period (P< 0.0001). The rate of MRSA transmission was 97 events (1.0%) for 9,415 admissions (2.0 transmission events/1,000 patient-days) during baseline and was 87 (1.4%) for 6,251 admissions (2.7 transmission events/1,000 patient-days) during intervention (P= 0.06; rate ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 1.00). The MRSA nosocomial clinical disease rate was 5.9 infections/10,000 patient-days in the baseline period and was 7.2 infections/10,000 patient-days for the intervention period (rate ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.45;P= 0.49). Decolonization of MRSA patients does not add benefit when contact precautions are used for patients colonized with MRSA in acute (hospital) care.

scholarly journals Clinical and microbiological effect of pulsed xenon ultraviolet disinfection to reduce multidrug-resistant organisms in the intensive care unit in a Japanese hospital: a before-after study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Morikane ◽  
Shoko Suzuki ◽  
Jun Yoshioka ◽  
Jun Yakuwa ◽  
Masaki Nakane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Uv Disinfection ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
The Past ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽  
Environmental Disinfection

Abstract Background No-touch environmental disinfection using ultraviolet devices has been highlighted in the past several years to control the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). However, its effectiveness in non-US healthcare settings is yet to be examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfection by portable pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) devices in controlling transmission of MDROs in a non-US healthcare setting. Methods All patients admitted in the intensive care unit in a 629-bed tertiary referral hospital in Japan from August 2016 to February 2019 were enrolled. During the study period, PX-UV disinfection was added to manual terminal cleaning after every patient transfer/discharge. For microbiological evaluation, surfaces were selected for sampling by contact plates before/after manual cleaning and after PX-UV. After overnight incubation, colonies on the plates were counted. Results The incidence of newly acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) declined significantly (13.8 to 9.9 per 10,000 patient days, incidence rate ratio 0.71, p=0.002), as well as that of newly acquired drug-resistant Acinetobacter (48.5 to 18.1, 0.37, p<0.001). The percent reduction of the microbiological burden by manual cleaning was 81%, but a further 59% reduction was achieved by PX-UV. Conclusions PX-UV is effective in further reducing the microbial burden and controlling MDROs in a non-US healthcare setting.

Oxygen radicals participate in alloxan-induced pulmonary EDEMA

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-299
Author(s):  
Tomoo Kawada ◽  
Michio Arakawa ◽  
Kenjiro Kambara ◽  
Takashi Segawa ◽  
Fumio Ando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Edema ◽  
Oxygen Radicals ◽  
Bolus Injection ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Lung Water ◽  
Electron Microscopic

We know that alloxan causes increased-permeability pulmonary edema and that alloxan generates oxygen radicals (H2O2, O2−, ·OH) in blood. Therefore, we hypothesize that alloxan-generated oxygen radicals damage pulmonary capillary endothelial cells, and, possibly, alveolar epithelial cells as well. We examined whether oxygen radical scavengers, such as catalase or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), protected against alloxaninduced pulmonary edema.Five dogs in each following group were anesthetized: control group: physiological saline (20ml/kg/h); alloxan group: physiological saline + alloxan (75mg/kg) bolus injection at the beginning of the experiment; catalase group: physiological saline + catalase (150,000u/kg) bolus injection before injection of alloxan; DMSO group: physiological saline + DMSO (0.4mg/kg) bolus injection before alloxan. All dogs had 30-min baseline period and 3-h intervention period. Hemodynamics and circulating substances were measured at the specific points of time. At the end of intervention period, the dogs were killed and had the lungs removed for electron microscopic study and lung water measurement with direct destructive method.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Clostridioides (Clostridium) Difficile Infection and Colonization: Ongoing Prospective Cohort Study in a French University Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7528
Author(s):  
Nagham Khanafer ◽  
Philippe Vanhems ◽  
Sabrina Bennia ◽  
Géraldine Martin-Gaujard ◽  
Laurent Juillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Good Clinical Practice ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Virulent Strains ◽  
Scientific Meetings ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Introduction: Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile can be isolated from stool in 3% of healthy adults and in at least 10% of asymptomatic hospitalized patients. C. difficile, the most common cause of hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea in the developed world, has re-emerged in recent years with increasing incidence and severity. In an effort to reduce the spread of the pathogen, published recommendations suggest isolation and contact precautions for patients suffering from C. difficile infection (CDI). However, asymptomatic colonized patients are not targeted by infection control policies, and active surveillance for colonization is not routinely performed. Moreover, given the current changes in the epidemiology of CDI, particularly the emergence of new virulent strains either in the hospital or community settings, there is a need for identification of factors associated with colonization by C. difficile and CDI. Methods and analysis: We are carrying out a prospective, observational, cohort study in Edouard Herriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, a 900-bed university hospital in Lyon, France. All consecutive adult patients admitted on selected units are eligible to participate in the study. Stool samples or rectal swabs for C. difficile testing are obtained on admission, every 3–5 days during hospitalization, at the onset of diarrhea (if applicable), and at discharge. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses will be completed to mainly estimate the proportion of asymptomatic colonization at admission, and to evaluate differences between factors associated with colonization and those related to CDI. Ethics: The study is conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, French law, and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. The study protocol design was approved by the participating units, the ethics committee and the hospital institutional review board (Comité de protection des personnes et Comission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés; N°: 00009118). Dissemination: The results of this study will be disseminated by presenting the findings locally at each participating ward, as well as national and international scientific meetings. Findings will be shared with interested national societies crafting guidelines in CDI.

scholarly journals 419. Diagnostic Utility of a Ferritin to Procalcitonin Ratio to Differentiate Patients with COVID-19 from Those with Bacterial Pneumonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S277-S277
Author(s):  
Katherine C Jankousky ◽  
Peter Hyson ◽  
Jin Huang ◽  
Daniel B Chastain ◽  
Carlos Franco-Paredes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Bacterial Pneumonia ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
The Us ◽  
Test Probability ◽  
Receiver Operating

Abstract Background Accurate, rapid, inexpensive biomarkers are needed to differentiate COVID-19 from bacterial pneumonia, allowing effective treatment and antibiotic stewardship. We hypothesized that the ratio of ferritin to procalcitonin (F/P) reflects greater viral activity and host response with COVID-19 pneumonia, while bacterial pneumonia would be associated with less cytolysis (lower ferritin) and more inflammation (higher procalcitonin), thus a lower F/P ratio. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients admitted to a single University hospital in the US through May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared F/P ratio of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or bacterial pneumonia, excluding patients with COVID-19 and bacterial co-infections. In a logistic regression, we controlled for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), diabetes (DM), and hypertension (HTN). We used a receiver operating characteristic analysis to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of F/P values for the diagnosis of COVID-19 versus bacterial pneumonia. Results Of 218 patients with COVID-19 and 17 with bacterial pneumonia, COVID-19 patients were younger (56 vs 66 years, p=0.04), male (66% vs 24%, p=0.009), had higher BMI (31 vs 27 kg/m2, p=0.03), and similar rates of HTN (59% vs 45%, p=0.3) and DM (32% vs 18%, p=0.2). The median F/P ratio was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 (3195 vs 860, p=0.0003, Figure 1). An F/P ratio cut-off of ≥ 1250 generated a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 59% to correctly classify a COVID-19 case (Figure 2). When adjusted for age, gender, BMI, DM, and HTN, a ratio ≥ of 1250 was associated with significantly greater odds of COVID-19 versus bacterial pneumonia (OR: 4.9, CI: 1.5, 16.1, p=0.009). Figure 1. Ferritin to Procalcitonin Ratios of patients with COVID-19 and patients with Bacterial Pneumonia (controls). Figure 2. Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis of Ferritin to Procalcitonin Ratio Cut-off Values Predicting COVID-19 Diagnosis. Conclusion We observed an elevated F/P ratio in patients with COVID-19 compared to those with bacterial pneumonia. A F/P ratio ≥ 1250 provides a clinically relevant increase in pre-test probability of COVID-19. Prospective studies evaluating the discriminatory characteristics of F/P ratio in larger cohorts is warranted. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Intracranial Suppurative Complications of Sinusitis

2016 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. Nicoli ◽  
M. Oinas ◽  
M. Niemelä ◽  
A. A. Mäkitie ◽  
T. Atula
Keyword(s):  
Epidural Abscess ◽  
Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Subdural Empyema ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Neck Stiffness ◽  
Correct Treatment ◽  
Intracranial Infection ◽  
Intracranial Complications

Background: Intracranial complications of paranasal sinusitis have become rare due to widespread and early use of antibiotics. Potentially life-threatening intracranial complications of sinusitis include subdural empyema, epidural and intracerebral abscess, meningitis, and sinus thrombosis. Patients with intracranial complication of sinusitis can present without neurological signs, which may delay diagnosis and correct treatment. Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostics, treatment, and outcome of sinusitis-related intracranial infections at our tertiary referral hospital with a catchment area of 1.9 million people. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data on all patients diagnosed and treated with an intracranial infection at the Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, during a 10-year period between 2003 and 2013. Results: Six patients were diagnosed to have a sinusitis-related intracranial infection. Four patients had an epidural abscess, one both an epidural abscess and a subdural empyema and one a subdural empyema. The most common presenting complaint was headache (100%) followed by fever (83%), vomiting (50%), nasal congestion (50%), forehead lump (34%), and neck stiffness (17%). All patients were managed surgically. Most (83%) patients recovered to premorbid state without neurological sequelae. One patient died intraoperatively. Conclusion: Patients with a sinusitis-related intracranial suppuration typically present with signs of raised intracranial pressure rather than signs of sinusitis. Most are likely to need neurosurgical intervention and evacuation of the abscess without delay.

scholarly journals A Continuously Active Antimicrobial Surface Coating Reduces Bioburden in a Healthcare Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s439-s439
Author(s):  
Valerie Beck
Keyword(s):  
Surface Coating ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Additional Layer ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Sustained Reduction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Background: It is well known that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings, necessitating the need for antimicrobial strategies beyond routine cleaning with momentary disinfectants. A recent publication demonstrated that application of a novel, continuously active antimicrobial surface coating in ICUs resulted in the reduction of healthcare-associated infections. Objective: We determined the general microbial bioburden and incidence of relevant pathogens present in patient rooms at 2 metropolitan hospitals before and after application of a continuously active antimicrobial surface coating. Methods: A continuously active antimicrobial surface coating was applied to patient rooms in intensive care units (ICUs) twice over an 18-month period and in non-ICUs twice over a 6-month study period. The environmental bioburden was assessed 8–16 weeks after each treatment. A 100-cm2 area was swabbed from frequently touched areas in patient rooms: patient chair arm rest, bed rail, TV remote, and backsplash behind the sink. The total aerobic bacteria count was determined for each location by enumeration on tryptic soy agar (TSA); the geometric mean was used to compare bioburden before and after treatment. Each sample was also plated on selective agar for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridioides difficile to determine whether pathogens were present. Pathogen incidence was calculated as the percentage of total sites positive for at least 1 of the 4 target organisms. Results: Before application of the antimicrobial coating, total aerobic bacteria counts in ICUs were >1,500 CFU/100 cm2, and at least 30% of the sites were positive for a target pathogen (ie, CRE, VRE, MRSA or C. difficile). In non-ICUs, the bioburden before treatment was at least 500 CFU/100 cm2, with >50% of sites being contaminated with a pathogen. After successive applications of the surface coating, total aerobic bacteria were reduced by >80% in the ICUs and >40% in the non-ICUs. Similarly, the incidence of pathogen-positive sites was reduced by at least 50% in both ICUs and non-ICUs. Conclusions: The use of a continuously active antimicrobial surface coating provides a significant (P < .01) and sustained reduction in aerobic bacteria while also reducing the occurrence of epidemiologically important pathogens on frequently touched surfaces in patient rooms. These findings support the use of novel antimicrobial technologies as an additional layer of protection against the transmission of potentially harmful bacteria from contaminated surfaces to patients.Funding: Allied BioScience provided Funding: for this study.Disclosures: Valerie Beck reports salary from Allied BioScience.

scholarly journals Fire Risk Assessment in Healthcare Settings: Application of FMEA Combined with Multi‐Criteria Decision Making Methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Fateme Omidvari ◽  
Mehdi Jahangiri ◽  
Reza Mehryar ◽  
Moslem Alimohammadlou ◽  
Mojtaba Kamalinia
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Fire Detection ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Intuitionistic Fuzzy ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Fire Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Parameters

Fire is one of the most dangerous phenomena causing major casualties and financial losses in hospitals and healthcare settings. In order to prevent and control the fire sources, first risk assessment should be conducted. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is one of the techniques widely used for risk assessment. However, Risk Priority Number (RPN) in this technique does not take into account the weight of the risk parameters. In addition, indirect relationships between risk parameters and expert opinions are not considered in decision making in this method. The aim is to conduct fire risk assessment of healthcare setting using the application of FMEA combined with Multi‐Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods. First, a review of previous studies on fire risk assessment was conducted and existing rules were identified. Then, the factors influencing fire risk were classified according to FMEA criteria. In the next step, weights of fire risk criteria and subcriteria were determined using Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multiplicative Best-Worst Method (IFMBWM) and different wards of the hospital were ranked using Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Combinative Distance-based Assessment (IVIFCODAS) method. Finally, a case study was performed in one of the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this study, fire alarm system (0.4995), electrical equipment and installations (0.277), and flammable materials (0.1065) had the highest weight, respectively. The hospital powerhouse also had the highest fire risk, due to the lack of fire extinguishers, alarms and fire detection, facilities located in the basement floor, boilers and explosive sensitivity, insufficient access, and housekeeping. The use of MCDM methods in combination with the FMEA method assesses the risk of fire in hospitals and health centers with great accuracy.

scholarly journals Multiple sclerosis in Kenya: Demographic and clinical characteristics of a registry cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205521732110227
Author(s):  
Imran Jamal ◽  
Jasmit Shah ◽  
Peter Mativo ◽  
Juzar Hooker ◽  
Mitchell Wallin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Neuro Imaging

Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults. There is limited literature regarding the burden of MS in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Objective To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with MS (PwMS) presenting to a tertiary referral hospital in Nairobi. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study for PwMS presenting to Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi from 2008–2018. Results 99 cases met the diagnostic criteria for MS with a male to female ratio of 1:4. Majority (68.7%) of PwMS were indigenous Africans with a mean age of onset of 30.7 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to first neuro-imaging was 5.04 years. Only 33% of patients had sensory symptoms at onset whereas 54.5% had vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. Majority (79.5%) had relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and 56.6% were initiated on disease modifying therapy (DMT). Only 21.2% of patients on DMT were non-compliant. Patients with RRMS were more likely to be initiated on DMT at our hospital (p < 0.001). Conclusion Clinical characteristics of these patients largely resemble those of other SSA cohorts and African American patients. There was a delay between symptom onset and neuroimaging. There were also issues with DMT compliance.

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