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Dingle TC, Croxen MA, Fathima S, Shokoples S, Sonpar A, Saxinger L, Schwartz IS. Histoplasmosis acquired in Alberta, Canada: an epidemiological and genomic study. THE LANCET MICROBE 2021; 2:e191-e197. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(20)30229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Gunstra A, Steurer JA, Seibert RL, Dixon BC, Russell DS. Sensitivity of Serologic Testing for Dogs Diagnosed with Coccidioidomycosis on Histology: 52 Cases (2012-2013). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2020; 55:238-242. [PMID: 31433229 DOI: 10.5326/jaaha-ms-6772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley Fever, is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides spp., soil-living fungi endemic to the southwest region of the United States. The infection can cause various diseases including respiratory, neurologic, cardiac, dermatologic, and ocular disease as well as osteomyelitis in dogs and many other mammals. Obtaining a definitive diagnosis can be challenging. Serology is commonly used as a screening diagnostic test for disease, but both false-negative and false-positive results have been reported. Fifty-two cases of coccidioidomycosis diagnosed via histopathology were retrospectively evaluated. The sensitivity of serology in the study population was determined to be 87% for immunoglobulin G and 46% for immunoglobulin M. The cases were evaluated for an association between negative serology results and anatomic location of disease, but these variables were found to be independent. This study reports the sensitivity of serology for canine coccidioidomycosis and highlights the importance of using multiple diagnostic tests for definitive diagnosis of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Gunstra
- From Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service, P.C., Gilbert, Arizona (A.G., J.A.S., R.L.S., B.C.D.); and the Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (D.S.R.)
| | - Jeffrey A Steurer
- From Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service, P.C., Gilbert, Arizona (A.G., J.A.S., R.L.S., B.C.D.); and the Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (D.S.R.)
| | - Rachel L Seibert
- From Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service, P.C., Gilbert, Arizona (A.G., J.A.S., R.L.S., B.C.D.); and the Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (D.S.R.)
| | - Bradford C Dixon
- From Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service, P.C., Gilbert, Arizona (A.G., J.A.S., R.L.S., B.C.D.); and the Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (D.S.R.)
| | - Duncan S Russell
- From Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service, P.C., Gilbert, Arizona (A.G., J.A.S., R.L.S., B.C.D.); and the Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (D.S.R.)
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Foo CY, Reidpath DD, Sivasampu S. The Association Between Hospital Characteristics and Nonresponse in Organization Survey: An Analysis of the National Healthcare Establishment and Workforce Survey in Malaysia. Eval Health Prof 2017; 42:163278717713569. [PMID: 29179560 DOI: 10.1177/0163278717713569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In any survey where some of the invited participants fail to respond estimates may be biased. The literature on survey nonresponse is substantial, and the intellectual focus has typically been on the nonresponse of individuals. An important yet less scrutinized area in the analysis of nonresponse is in organizational surveys, particularly surveys of health-care organizations. This study used data from the 2010 National Healthcare Establishment and Workforce Survey in Malaysia to examine the relationship between a set of measurable hospital attributes and their probability of survey response and the relationship between this probability and the differences in survey estimates. We found that readily measurable hospital characteristics such as size and geographical location are useful predictors of survey response likelihood. Larger hospitals and hospitals located in less developed geographical regions responded more favorably than their counterparts. We have also illustrated that the resulting response pattern affected some key survey estimates. These findings have the potential to extend our understanding of nonresponse to organization surveys in the health-care sector, potentially allow for the prediction of nonresponse, and help researchers to identify profiles of "reluctant responders" before a survey commences, so that additional engagement strategies may be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Yoong Foo
- 1 Healthcare Statistics Unit, National Clinical Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- 2 Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Daniel D Reidpath
- 2 Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- 3 School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- 4 Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sheamini Sivasampu
- 1 Healthcare Statistics Unit, National Clinical Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Benedict K, Thompson GR, Deresinski S, Chiller T. Mycotic Infections Acquired outside Areas of Known Endemicity, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:1935-41. [PMID: 26485441 PMCID: PMC4622235 DOI: 10.3201/eid2111.141950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United States, endemic mycoses--blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis--pose considerable clinical and public health challenges. Although the causative fungi typically exist within broadly defined geographic areas or ecologic niches, some evidence suggests that cases have occurred in humans and animals not exposed to these areas. We describe cases acquired outside regions of traditionally defined endemicity. These patients often have severe disease, but diagnosis may be delayed because of a low index of suspicion for mycotic disease, and many more cases probably go entirely undetected. Increased awareness of these diseases, with a specific focus on their potential occurrence in unusual areas, is needed. Continued interdisciplinary efforts to reevaluate and better describe areas of true endemicity are warranted, along with a more nuanced view of the notion of endemicity. The term "nonendemic" should be used with care; mycoses in such regions might more accurately be considered "not known to be endemic."
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