Comparative Effectiveness Study of Home-Based Interventions to Prevent CA-MRSA Infection Recurrence

Recurrent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) caused by Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) or Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MSSA) present treatment challenges. This community-based trial examined the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention (CDC Guidelines, topical decolonization, surface decontamination) to reduce SSTI recurrence, mitigate household contamination/transmission, and improve patient-reported outcomes. Participants (n = 186) were individuals with confirmed MRSA(+)/MSSA(+) SSTIs and their household members. During home visits; Community Health Workers/Promotoras provided hygiene instructions; a five-day supply of nasal mupirocin; chlorhexidine for body cleansing; and household disinfecting wipes (Experimental; EXP) or Usual Care Control (UC CON) pamphlets. Primary outcome was six-month SSTI recurrence from electronic health records (EHR). Home visits (months 0; 3) and telephone assessments (months 0; 1; 6) collected self-report data. Index patients and participating household members provided surveillance culture swabs. Secondary outcomes included household surface contamination; household member colonization and transmission; quality of life; and satisfaction with care. There were no significant differences in SSTI recurrence between EXP and UC in the intent-to-treat cohort (n = 186) or the enrolled cohort (n = 119). EXP participants showed reduced but non-significant colonization rates. EXP and UC did not differ in household member transmission, contaminated surfaces, or patient-reported outcomes. This intervention did not reduce clinician-reported MRSA/MSSA SSTI recurrence. Taken together with other recent studies that employed more intensive decolonization protocols, it is possible that a promotora-delivered intervention instructing treatment for a longer or repetitive duration may be effective and should be examined by future studies.

Exploring the Culture of Surveillance: A Qualitative Study in Portugal

By following the theoretical framework of the surveillance culture this article aims to detail the surveillance imaginaries and practices that individuals have, capturing differences and social inequalities among respondents. We present an in-depth look into surveillance awareness, exploring subjective meanings and the varying awareness regarding commercial, governmental, and lateral surveillance. Furthermore, a detailed analysis is made on how individuals sometimes welcome surveillance, expanding on the cost-benefit trade-off, and detailing it on three distinct trade-offs: the privacy vs. commercial gains/rewards, the privacy vs. convenience and, the privacy vs. security. Lastly, we present a section that explores and analyzes resistance to surveillance.

Molecular Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Cattle and Human Patients in ‎Bauchi and Gombe States, Northeastern Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB) is recognized as the most important threat to human and animal health causing morbidity, mortality, and economic losses. A study was conducted to assess the epidemiology and zoonotic implications of TB in two states of northeastern Nigeria, using abattoir surveillance, culture, and molecular typing methods. The human sputum of in-patients from selected hospitals within the study areas was also collected, cultured, and subjected to molecular typing. Out of the 250 human sputa collected, 74 (29.6%) were positive for culture and 40(16%) were positive on Bioline® analysis. Also, of the 200 tissues collected, 62(32.5%) were AFB positive and 25(12.5%) were positive on culture and 18(9.0%) were positive on Bioline® analysis. All positive isolates on Bioline® analyses were further subjected to Genotype® MBTC analysis. A total of (n = 58) isolates; sputum (n=40) and tissue (n=18), identified as MBTC were further subjected to Genotype MBTC® Hain assay PCR analysis. in order to differentiate them into their various species. Of the MBTC isolates from the tissues, 8(4.0%) were found to be Mycobacterium bovis, 5(2.5%) were Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the remaining 5(2.5%) were unidentified using the standard banding patterns. The 40 MBTC from sputum showed 30 (75%) as Mycobacterium tuberculosis 6(15%) were Mycobacterium bovis, 3(7.5%) were Mycobacterium africanum and 1(0.4%) was unidentified using the standard banding patterns. In conclusion, the study revealed the public health importance of bTB in the study area. There is also the need for public health awareness programs on the zoonotic nature of bTB among the abattoir workers and the herdsmen.

Reconceptualizing Assistance for Young Children of Color With Disabilities in an Inclusion Classroom

In this article, we draw on DisCrit to critically analyze how a group of early childhood educators approached assistance with young children of color with disabilities in a Head Start inclusion classroom. Using examples from data collected over one school year, we demonstrate how child-centered assistance advances justice for young children of color with disabilities who are often subjected to a surveillance culture in schools. We critique assistance that aligns with the medical model of disability and aims to change young children of color with disabilities to conform to ableist, racist expectations of schooling. We offer examples of assistance practices that contrastingly aim to support young children of color with disabilities to pursue their own interests and purposes. Through these counterstories, we reconceptualize assistance as a practice that can support young children of color with disabilities to be more fully themselves.

Surveillance culture and Gram staining for detecting the causative bacteria of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates

Background To investigate the efficacy of surveillance culture for the rapid detection of pathogens associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on all patients with VAP in the neonatal intensive care unit. Whether causative bacteria on the culture of tracheal aspirates obtained at the onset of VAP matched with those on Gram staining and weekly surveillance culture was investigated. Result The concordance rate between surveillance culture using samples collected 4–10 days before VAP and causative bacteria was 53%. When Gram staining was performed at the onset of VAP, the concordance rate significantly increased to 86% (p = 0.022). Conclusions The concurrent use of surveillance culture and Gram staining for the detection of causative bacteria may be effective in determining initial treatment among neonates with VAP.

Online Surveillance in a Swedish Context

Users of digital media leave traces that corporations and authorities can harvest, systematise, and analyse; on the societal level, an overall result is the emergence of a surveillance culture. In this study, we examine how people handle the dilemma of leaving digital footprints: what they say they do to protect their privacy and what could legitimise the collection and storing of their data. Through a survey of almost 1,000 students at Umeå University in Sweden, we find that most respondents know that their data are used and choose to adjust their own behaviour rather than adopting technical solutions. In order to understand contemporary forms of surveillance, we call for a humanistic approach – an approach where hermeneutic and qualitative methods are central.