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Issue 20, May 21, 2012

Vol. 4, Issue: 20, 5/21/12

Welcome to Science Clips, CDC's weekly digest!

The report consists of four components:

  • Top Ten Articles of the Week
  • CDC-authored publications
  • Key scientific articles in featured topic areas (this week featuring Communicable Diseases - Influenza)
  • Public health articles noted in the media

In recognition of the first national Hepatitis Testing Day, this week Science Clips features two relevant articles. AH Litwin, working with clinical and public health collaborators, documents increased hepatitis C screening rates after implementation of simple reminders in primary care settings. In an article published in Nature Communications, H Thai and a group from the CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis report the important finding that resistance to the drug lamivudine is encoded by the entire hepatitis B virus genome.

Several of this week's features come from a Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID) supplement about FoodNet, CDC's population-based active surveillance system for foodborne diseases. CR Hale, writing with FoodNet colleagues, estimates that one out of every seven foodborne infections may be attributable to contact with animals. The incidence of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis is increasing domestically, with chickens and eggs as frequent sources, according to an analysis by SJ Chai and others. Challenges in foodborne illness may be at least partially balanced by successes; marked decreases in Yersinial infections from 1996-2009 are seen in an analysis led by KL Ong.

Although peak influenza transmission season has passed in the northern hemisphere, influenza remains a perennial public health concern. Hospitalization rates for both influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are found to be similar in a study conducted by H Zhou et al. However, age distributions of hospitalizations differ markedly between the two viruses. HIV infection knows no season and does not respect geographic boundaries. MR Jordan, writing with an international authorship group, notes that 52 countries and 27 laboratories have made progress toward implementing the WHO HIV drug resistance prevention and assessment strategy. P Patel and colleagues combine routine STD testing with risk-reduction counseling, with resulting decreases in STD among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

Important environmental and occupational health concerns round out Clips features for this week. KH Pugh and GM Zarus from ATSDR describe the U.S. burden of environmental disease. J Guan, working with NIOSH and non-NIOSH collaborators, presents data designed to improve the safety of truck cab design, which should also be of benefit to those of us sharing the road with truckers.

John Iskander

Editor, Science Clips


Science Clips is a service of the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library and CDC's Office of the Chief Science Officer.


The Science Clips is in the public domain and may be freely forwarded and reproduced without permission. The original sources and the CDC Science Clips should be cited as sources. Articles featured in Science Clips may be in-press or uncorrected proofs.

For assistance in obtaining copies of these articles, contact the library at cdclibrary@cdc.gov or 404-639-1717. Please note that links below to CDC licensed materials are available only through the Intranet and may go through the SFX server. From the SFX window, just click on the full-text link to reach the full-text.

 

  1. Top Ten Articles of the Week


  2. CDC Authored Publications


    The names of CDC authors are indicated in bold text.
  3. Key Scientific Articles in Featured Topic Areas


  4. Public Health Articles Noted in the Media


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DISCLAIMER: Articles listed in the CDC Science Clips are selected by the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library to provide current awareness of the public health literature. An article's inclusion does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

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