scholarly journals Laboratory Investigation of the First Case of Botulism Caused by Clostridium butyricum Type E Toxin in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 3363-3365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet K. Dykes ◽  
Carolina Lúquez ◽  
Brian H. Raphael ◽  
Loretta McCroskey ◽  
Susan E. Maslanka

We report here the laboratory investigation of the first known case of botulism in the United States caused byClostridium butyricumtype E. This investigation demonstrates the importance of extensive microbiological examination of specimens, which resulted in the isolation of this organism.

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravikiran Vasireddy ◽  
Sruthi Vasireddy ◽  
Barbara A. Brown-Elliott ◽  
Alexander L. Greninger ◽  
Rebecca M. Davidson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe characterize three respiratory isolates of the recently described speciesMycobacterium talmoniaerecovered in Texas, Louisiana, and Massachusetts, including the first case of disease in a patient with underlying cystic fibrosis. The three isolates had a 100% match toM. talmoniaeNE-TNMC-100812Tby complete 16S rRNA,rpoBregion V, andhsp65 gene sequencing. Core genomic comparisons between one isolate and the type strain revealed an average nucleotide identity of 99.8%. The isolates were susceptible to clarithromycin, amikacin, and rifabutin, while resistance was observed for tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin, and linezolid.M. talmoniaeshould be added to the list of potential pulmonary pathogens, including in the setting of cystic fibrosis.


1984 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1282-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Anders ◽  
Kevin Foley ◽  
W. Eugene Stern ◽  
W. Jann Brown

✓ The first case of intracranial sparganosis to be reported from the United States is presented. The patient, a 27-year-old woman, complained of focal seizures involving the right lower extremity. A left parietal parasagittal craniotomy was performed, and a granuloma containing a sparganum was excised from the parietal lobe. The clinical and pathological features of sparganosis are reviewed. Only five cases of intracranial sparganosis have previously been described.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen T. Yu ◽  
Kate Shapiro ◽  
Christy A. Beneri ◽  
Lisa S. Wilks-Gallo

Streptococcus lutetiensis has been known to cause sepsis in adults, but only one case regarding neonatal sepsis has been reported internationally, with no sequelae. We report the first case of neonatal bacteremia and meningitis with empyema caused by S. lutetiensis in the United States.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Takisha Durm

PurposeThe Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can, written by Dr Tererai, profiles a cultural, yet global experience of the power of believing in one's dream. Through this study of the similarities and differences of how children in the United States and abroad live and dream of a better life, this lesson seeks to enhance students' understandings of the power and authority they possess to effect change not only within their own lives but also in the lives of countless others in world. After reading the text, students will work to create vision boards illustrating their plans to effect change within their homes, schools, communities, states or countries. They will present their plans to their peers. To culminate the lesson, the students will bury their dreams in can and collectively decide on a future date to revisit the can to determine how far they have progressed in accomplishing their goals.Design/methodology/approachThis is an elementary grades 3–6 lesson plan. There was no research design/methodology/approach included.FindingsAs this is a lesson plan and no actual research was represented, there are no findings.Originality/valueThis is an original lesson plan completed by the first author Takisha Durm.


Significance Follow-on action from Washington and responses from foreign actors will shape the US government’s adversarial policy towards China in semiconductors and other strategic technologies. Impacts The Biden administration will likely conclude that broad-based diversion of the semiconductor supply chain away from China is not feasible. The United States will rely on export controls and political pressure to prevent diffusion to China of cutting-edge chip technologies. The United States will focus on persuading foreign semiconductor leaders to help develop US capabilities, thereby staying ahead of China. Washington will focus on less direct approaches to strategic technology competition with China, notably technical standards-setting. Industry leaders in the semiconductor supply chain worldwide will continue expanding business in China in less politically sensitive areas.


Significance Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is preparing to welcome a more predictable and stable partner in Biden than outgoing Republican President Donald Trump. However, Biden is also expected quickly to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, cutting another lifeline to Canada’s oil industry and creating some strain in Canada-US ties. Impacts Improved Canada-US ties will persist even if Trudeau loses the next federal election to Conservative Erin O’Toole. Canada will re-engage militarily with UN peacekeeping and NATO deployments. Trudeau will encourage Biden to end US prosecution of Meng Wanzhou, allowing Canada to release her; Biden may agree. Canada’s border with the United States will open in stages as COVID-19 recedes. Ottawa will push Biden to end ‘Buy American’ procurement policies, with little success.


Significance She addressed two key issues during her trip: tensions in post-coup Myanmar and China’s growing regional footprint. Shortly after she left the region, the United States announced that it would donate unused COVID-19 vaccines abroad, including to South-east Asia. Impacts Washington will tighten its sanctions on the Myanmar military while supporting ASEAN’s five-point plan to ease the country’s crisis. The National Unity Government, a parallel administration to Myanmar’s junta set up by its opponents, will try to attract greater US backing. Manila and Washington may extend negotiations over renewing their Visiting Forces Agreement to prevent the pact expiring in August.


2021 ◽  
pp. ASN.2020091281
Author(s):  
John Danziger ◽  
Kenneth J. Mukamal ◽  
Eric Weinhandl

BackgroundAlthough patients with kidney disease may be particularly susceptible to the adverse health effects associated with lead exposure, whether levels of lead found commonly in drinking water are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with ESKD is not known.MethodsTo investigate associations of lead in community water systems with hemoglobin concentrations and erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA) use among incident patients with ESKD, we merged data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Information System (documenting average 90th percentile lead concentrations in community water systems during 5 years before dialysis initiation, according to city of residence) with patient-level data from the United States Renal Data System.ResultsAmong 597,968 patients initiating dialysis in the United States in 2005 through 2017, those in cities with detectable lead levels in community water had significantly lower pre-ESKD hemoglobin concentrations and more ESA use per 0.01 mg/L increase in 90th percentile water lead. Findings were similar for the 208,912 patients with data from the first month of ESKD therapy, with lower hemoglobin and higher ESA use per 0.01 mg/L higher lead concentration. These associations were observed at lead levels below the EPA threshold (0.015 mg/L) that mandates regulatory action. We also observed environmental inequities, finding significantly higher water lead levels and slower declines over time among Black versus White patients.ConclusionsThis first nationwide analysis linking EPA water supply records to patient data shows that even low levels of lead that are commonly encountered in community water systems throughout the United States are associated with lower hemoglobin levels and higher ESA use among patients with advanced kidney disease.


Significance The authorities went ahead with the arrest of Nika Melia, leader of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), on February 23 even after the prime minister resigned in protest. Georgian Dream's actions have caused concern in Western capitals that approved its election victory when the opposition cried foul. Impacts The crisis is a setback for the government's stated plan to apply for EU membership in 2024. There is growing talk in the United States about individual sanctions targeting Ivanishvili and his associates. Political turmoil will harm hopes of foreign direct investment and the imminent Anaklia port tender.


Significance The growing numbers of senior citizens in the United States, their rapidly increasing adoption of social media and their high levels of voter turnout make their vulnerability to disinformation a matter of special concern. Other advanced democracies likely mirror the US experience. Impacts Older US adults' use of television as their primary news source may provide some bulwark against being targeted by disinformation online. The rapid evolution of news distribution technologies will challenge older adults used to a more slowly changing media landscape. Further research is necessary to determine the causes of age-based vulnerability and levels of resilience.


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