Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z

CDC Media Relations
Home | Contact Us
US Department of Health and Human Services logo and link

Media Relations Links
• About Us
• Media Contact
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Media Site Map

CDC News
• Press Release Library
• Transcripts
• MMWR Summaries
• B-Roll Footage
• Upcoming Events

Related Links
• Centers at CDC
• Data and Statistics
• Health Topics A-Z
• Image Library
• Publications, Software and Other Products
• Global Health Odyssey
Find your state or local health department
HHS News
National Health Observances
Visit the FirstGov Web Site
Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394

 


MMWR
Synopsis for December 5, 2003

The MMWR is embargoed until NOON ET, Thursdays.

  1. Using Partner Counseling and Referral Services to Identify Persons with Previously Undiagnosed HIV – North Carolina, 2001
  2. Clostridium perfringens Endophthalmitis After Cornea Transplantation – Florida, 2003
  3. Update: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Associated with Cadaveric Dura Mater Grafts – Japan, 1979-2003
  4. Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes Disease after Allograft Implantation – Colorado, 2003
  5. Outbreak in a Homeless Population – Portland, Maine, 2002-2003
No MMWR Telebriefing is scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2003

Synopsis for December 5, 2003

Using Partner Counseling and Referral Services to Identify Persons with Previously Undiagnosed HIV – North Carolina, 2001

According to a study released today by the CDC, voluntary Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) are effective tools in the campaign to help more Americans learn their HIV status.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications

CDC, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
(404) 639-8895
 

The data from North Carolina show that PCRS, which seeks to locate sex and needle sharing partners of those who test HIV-positive and notify them of their risk, can identify large numbers of previously undetected HIV cases. Twenty percent of the partners tested in this study were diagnosed with HIV, while less than 1 percent of HIV tests performed at North Carolina clinics in 2001 were positive. PCRS also allows tested partners to receive counseling and prevention services, and if HIV-positive, referral to treatment earlier in the course of infection. Study authors note that PCRS has long been an important part of CDC’s national HIV prevention strategy. As a condition of funding, CDC requires that all states implement procedures for confidential and voluntary PCRS and CDC continually works with states to improve and evaluate PCRS.


Clostridium perfringens Endophthalmitis After Cornea Transplantation – Florida, 2003

PRESS CONTACT:
Dan Jernigan, MD

CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
(404) 639-2621
 

No summary available.

 

 

 

 

 

Update: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Associated with Cadaveric Dura Mater Grafts – Japan, 1979-2003

CJD needs to be considered in persons developing rapidly progressive dementia, particularly if there is a history of dural graft implantation or other neurosurgical procedure.

PRESS CONTACT:
James Sejvar, MD

CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases
404-639-4657
 

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, fatal dementing illness that may rarely be transmitted through direct inoculation of the central nervous system (CNS) with infected material. Cases worldwide have occurred from receipt of improperly treated dura mater harvested from CJD patients and used in neurosurgical procedures; the majority of these cases have occurred in Japan. Changes in dural graft screening and treatment procedures in 1987 have decreased this risk. However, due to the long incubation period of CJD, Japan continues to identify cases who received dural grafts processed before 1987. The latency period may exceed 22 years, and more cases are likely to be identified. In the United States, health professionals should report patients with a rapidly progressive dementia and history of dural graft implantation to local and state health departments.


Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes Disease after Allograft Implantation – Colorado, 2003

Cadaveric allografts may cause infections in patients, but these infections are rare. CDC is working with the tissue industry and other partners to continue to improve the safety of tissue allografts.

PRESS CONTACT:
Ellen Lee, MD

National Center for Infectious Diseases
(404) 639–2215
 

Donated tissues can improve the lives of many people. Cadaveric tissue donations, called allografts, serve diverse needs, from skin grafts for severe burns to ligament reconstruction for injured knees. However, reports of infections due to allograft tissues reveal the need for improved tissue industry standards. The MMWR article describes a healthy adolescent who developed a severe infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes after knee surgery using contaminated allograft tissue. During the investigation, tests revealed the donor had died of an undiagnosed infection with the same bacteria. Methods for donor screening and tissue preparation did not prevent distribution of this contaminated allograft. The CDC, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other partners, are working to improve the safety of tissue allografts.


Outbreak in a Homeless Population – Portland, Maine, 2002-2003

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications

CDC, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
(404) 639–8895
 

This report summarizes the preliminary results of the ongoing investigation into an outbreak of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease in seven homeless men in Portland, Maine reported to the Maine Bureau of Health during June 2002-July 2003.

 


Media Home | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed December 4, 2003
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/media/mmwrnews/n031205.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Communication