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Gossack-Keenan K, Yeom DS, Kanu J, Hau JP, Rosychuk RJ, Clark D, Bola R, Tze C, Niosco C, Emery H, Yeung P, Hohl CM. Heatstroke presentations to urban hospitals during BC's extreme heat event: lessons for the future. CAN J EMERG MED 2024; 26:111-118. [PMID: 38153655 PMCID: PMC10861625 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-023-00622-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change is leading to more extreme heat events in temperate climates that typically have low levels of preparedness. Our objective was to describe the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of adults presenting to hospitals with heatstroke during BC's 2021 heat dome. METHODS We conducted a review of consecutive adults presenting to 7 hospitals in BC's Lower Mainland. We screened the triage records of all patients presenting between June 25th and 30th, 2021 for complaints related to heat, and reviewed the full records of those who met heatstroke criteria. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We used Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression to investigate associations between patient and treatment factors and mortality. RESULTS Among 10,247 consecutive presentations to urban hospitals during the extreme heat event, 1.3% (139; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.1-1.6%) met criteria for heatstroke. Of heatstroke patients, 129 (90.6%) were triaged into the two highest acuity levels. Patients with heatstroke had a median age of 84.4 years, with 122 (87.8%) living alone, and 101 (84.2%) unable to activate 911 themselves. A minority (< 5, < 3.6%) of patients presented within 48 h of the onset of extreme heat. Most patients (107, 77.0%) required admission, and 11.5% (16) died in hospital. Hypotension on presentation was associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR] 5.3). INTERPRETATION Heatstroke patients were unable to activate 911 themselves, and most presented with a 48-h delay. This delay may represent a critical window of opportunity for pre-hospital and hospital systems to prepare for the influx of high-acuity resource-intensive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Gossack-Keenan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Faculty of Medicine, Diamond Health Care Centre, 11th Floor, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
| | - David Seonguk Yeom
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Josephine Kanu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey P Hau
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Dylan Clark
- Climate Institute Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rajan Bola
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Caris Tze
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chris Niosco
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hayley Emery
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Phillip Yeung
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Emergency Department, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Hohl CM, Cragg A, Purssel E, McAlister FA, Ting DK, Scheuermeyer F, Stachura M, Grant L, Taylor J, Kanu J, Hau JP, Cheng I, Atzema CL, Bola R, Morrison LJ, Landes M, Perry JJ, Rosychuk RJ. Comparing methods to classify admitted patients with SARS-CoV-2 as admitted for COVID-19 versus with incidental SARS-CoV-2: A cohort study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291580. [PMID: 37751455 PMCID: PMC10522023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Not all patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection develop symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), making it challenging to assess the burden of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and mortality. We aimed to determine the proportion, resource utilization, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted for COVID-19, and assess the impact of using the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) discharge diagnosis-based algorithm and the Massachusetts state department's drug administration-based classification system on identifying admissions for COVID-19. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled consecutive SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to one of five hospitals in British Columbia between December 19, 2021 and May 31,2022. We completed medical record reviews, and classified hospitalizations as being primarily for COVID-19 or with incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection. We applied the CDC algorithm and the Massachusetts classification to estimate the difference in hospital days, intensive care unit (ICU) days and in-hospital mortality and calculated sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS Of 42,505 Emergency Department patients, 1,651 were admitted and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 858 (52.0%, 95% CI 49.6-54.4) admitted for COVID-19. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 required ICU admission (14.0% versus 8.2%, p<0.001) and died (12.6% versus 6.4%, p<0.001) more frequently compared with patients with incidental SARS-CoV-2. Compared to case classification by clinicians, the CDC algorithm had a sensitivity of 82.9% (711/858, 95% CI 80.3%, 85.4%) and specificity of 98.1% (778/793, 95% CI 97.2%, 99.1%) for COVID-19-related admissions and underestimated COVID-19 attributable hospital days. The Massachusetts classification had a sensitivity of 60.5% (519/858, 95% CI 57.2%, 63.8%) and specificity of 78.6% (623/793, 95% CI 75.7%, 81.4%) for COVID-19-related admissions, underestimating total number of hospital and ICU bed days while overestimating COVID-19-related intubations, ICU admissions, and deaths. CONCLUSION Half of SARS-CoV-2 hospitalizations were for COVID-19 during the Omicron wave. The CDC algorithm was more specific and sensitive than the Massachusetts classification, but underestimated the burden of COVID-19 admissions. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04702945.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne M. Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Emergency Department, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amber Cragg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Purssel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Emergency Department, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Finlay A. McAlister
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Support Unit, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel K. Ting
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Emergency Department, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Frank Scheuermeyer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Emergency Department, St. Paul’s & Mount Saint Joseph Hospitals, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maja Stachura
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Emergency Department, Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lars Grant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - John Taylor
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Josephine Kanu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey P. Hau
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ivy Cheng
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Clare L. Atzema
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Emergency Services, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajan Bola
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Laurie J. Morrison
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Emergency Services, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Megan Landes
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J. Perry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rhonda J. Rosychuk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Demby AH, Inapogui A, Kargbo K, Koninga J, Kourouma K, Kanu J, Coulibaly M, Wagoner KD, Ksiazek TG, Peters CJ, Rollin PE, Bausch DG. Lassa fever in Guinea: II. Distribution and prevalence of Lassa virus infection in small mammals. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2003; 1:283-97. [PMID: 12653128 DOI: 10.1089/15303660160025912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents of the genus Mastomys form the reservoir for Lassa virus (LV), an arenavirus that causes a potentially severe hemorrhagic illness, Lassa fever (LF). Although Mastomys rodents exist throughout sub-Saharan Africa, areas of human LF appear to be quite focal. The distribution of small mammals and LV-infected Mastomys has been assessed in only a few countries. We conducted a survey of small mammals in selected regions of Guinea to assess the degree to which LV poses a public health risk in that country. A total of 1,616 small mammals, including 956 (59%) Mastomys, were captured from 444 households and seven bush sites. Mastomys made up > 90% of the captured animals in the savannah, savannah-forest transition, and forest regions of Guinea, while Mus musculus dominated in coastal and urban sites. Animals were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for LV-specific antigen (blood and spleen homogenate) and IgG antibody (blood only). Virus isolation from spleen homogenates was also performed on a subset of animals. Lassa antibody and antigen were found in 96 (11%) and 46 (5%), respectively, of 884 tested Mastomys. Antibody and antigen were essentially mutually exclusive and showed profiles consistent with vertical transmission of both LV and antibody. LV was isolated only from Mastomys. ELISA antigen constituted an acceptable surrogate for virus isolation, with a sensitivity and specificity when performed on blood of 78% (95% confidence interval: 68-83%) and 98% (95-99%), respectively. The proportion of LV-infected Mastomys per region ranged from 0 to 9% and was highest in the savannah and forest zones. The proportion of infected animals per village varied considerably, even between villages in close proximity. Infected animals tended to cluster in relatively few houses, suggesting the existence of focal "hot spots" of LV-infected Mastomys that may account for the observed heterogeneous distribution of LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Demby
- Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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Bausch DG, Demby AH, Coulibaly M, Kanu J, Goba A, Bah A, Condé N, Wurtzel HL, Cavallaro KF, Lloyd E, Baldet FB, Cissé SD, Fofona D, Savané IK, Tolno RT, Mahy B, Wagoner KD, Ksiazek TG, Peters CJ, Rollin PE. Lassa fever in Guinea: I. Epidemiology of human disease and clinical observations. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2003; 1:269-81. [PMID: 12653127 DOI: 10.1089/15303660160025903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The arenavirus Lassa is found in West Africa, where it sometimes causes a severe illness called Lassa fever. Lassa fever has been seldom investigated outside of a few hyperendemic regions, where the described epidemiology may differ from that in areas of low or moderate incidence of disease. Through a prospective cohort study, we investigated the epidemiology and clinical presentation of Lassa fever in Guinea, where the disease has been infrequently recognized. A surveillance system was established, and suspected cases were enrolled at five Guinean hospitals. Clinical observations were made, and blood was taken for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing and isolation of Lassa virus. Lassa fever was confirmed in 22 (7%) of 311 suspected cases. Another 43 (14%) had Lassa IgG antibodies, indicating past exposure. Both sexes and a wide variety of age and ethnic groups were affected. The disease was more frequently found, and the IgG seroprevalence generally higher, in the southeastern forest region. In some areas, there were significant discrepancies between the incidence of Lassa fever and the prevalence of antibody. Clinical presentations between those with Lassa fever and other febrile illnesses were essentially indistinguishable. Clinical predictors of a poor outcome were noted, but again were not specific for Lassa fever. Case-fatality rates for those with Lassa fever and non-Lassa febrile illnesses were 18% and 15%, respectively. Seasonal fluctuation in the incidence of Lassa fever was noted, but occurred similarly with non-Lassa febrile illnesses. Our results, perhaps typical of the scenario throughout much of West Africa, indicate Lassa virus infection to be widespread in certain areas of Guinea, but difficult to distinguish clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Bausch
- Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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Bausch DG, Rollin PE, Demby AH, Coulibaly M, Kanu J, Conteh AS, Wagoner KD, McMullan LK, Bowen MD, Peters CJ, Ksiazek TG. Diagnosis and clinical virology of Lassa fever as evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect fluorescent-antibody test, and virus isolation. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:2670-7. [PMID: 10878062 PMCID: PMC86994 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.7.2670-2677.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lassa virus (an arenavirus) is found in West Africa, where it sometimes causes a severe hemorrhagic illness called Lassa fever. Laboratory diagnosis has traditionally been by the indirect fluorescent-antibody (IFA) test. However, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for Lassa virus antigen and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) antibodies have been developed that are thought to be more sensitive and specific. We compared ELISA and IFA testing on sera from 305 suspected cases of Lassa fever by using virus isolation with a positive reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) test as the "gold standard." Virus isolation and RT-PCR were positive on 50 (16%) of the 305 suspected cases. Taken together, Lassa virus antigen and IgM ELISAs were 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77 to 95%) sensitive and 90% (95% CI, 88 to 91%) specific for acute infection. Due to the stringent gold standard used, these likely represent underestimates. Diagnosis could often be made on a single serum specimen. Antigen detection was particularly useful in providing early diagnosis as well as prognostic information. Level of antigenemia varied inversely with survival. Detection by ELISA of IgG antibody early in the course of illness helped rule out acute Lassa virus infection. The presence of IFA during both acute and convalescent stages of infection, as well as significant interobserver variation in reading the slides, made interpretation difficult. However, the assay provided useful prognostic information, the presence of IFA early in the course of illness correlating with death. The high sensitivity and specificity, capability for early diagnosis, and prognostic value of the ELISAs make them the diagnostic tests of choice for the detection of Lassa fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Bausch
- Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
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