HSV-1 has become the most common cause of newly diagnosed genital herpes infections in this population of college students and reflects a reversal of the usual HSV-1/HSV-2 ratio.

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An analysis using case reports, laboratory records of tests for C. trachomatis, and Hospital Discharge Summary data shows that, following implementation of a chlamydia prevention program in Wisconsin in 1985, statewide declines were observed in prevalence, incidence and complications of infection. In 1990, prevalence rates among teenage women peaked at 2,794 infections per 100,000 15-19-year-old females. Between 1987 and 1991 (a period of stable testing volume), the proportion of positive tests decreased in all age-groups for females (by 29-41%) and males (by 10-14%), and the incidence of new infections in women decreased in clinic populations by 27%-50%. Between 1986 and 1991, hospitalization rates declined by 33% for pelvic inflammatory disease and by 20% for ectopic pregnancy.

Background: Blastomycosis is a potentially fatal infection caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis.During January 1 through March 5, 2006, twenty-one laboratory confirmed cases of blastomycosis were reported among residents of an endemic area in north-central Wisconsin; a striking increase compared with previous years. The objective of the study was to determine if an observed increase in blastomycosis among residents of an urban area in north-central Wisconsin was caused by a pointsource exposure and to identify its source. Methods:We compared epidemiologic features, and signs and symptoms of B. dermatitidis infection among 46 historic (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005) and 21 possible outbreak case patients. In addition, a case-control study was conducted to compare risk factors of the outbreak case patients with those of 64 age, gender, and geographically-matched control subjects. We conducted site inspections, evaluated meteorological data, genetically compared outbreak and non-outbreak isolates, and attempted environmental detection of B. dermatitidis using polymerase chain reaction, in vitro isolation, and in vivo isolation by tail vein injection of mice. Results:The unusual risk profile of this outbreak included: residence within non-rural city limits with limited time spent outdoors and an equivalent gender ratio and young median age among case patients consistent with common source rather than unrelated exposures. Thirteen of fourteen outbreakassociated clinical isolates of B. dermatitidis clustered in the same genetic group by PCR-RFLP analysis. Inspections near the cluster center suggested a yard waste collection site as the probable exposure source. B. dermatitidis nucleic acid was detected in one of 19 environmental samples. Environmental and meteorological conditions and material management practices were identified that may have facilitated growth and dispersal of B. dermatitidis conidia near this residential area. Conclusions:Results of our investigation of this large non-rural outbreak of blastomycosis suggest bioaerosol hazards may exist near yard waste collection and composting facilities, especially where pine tree litter is present, in B. dermatitidis endemic areas.

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OBJECTIVETo evaluate and compare the performance of several different methods available for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection, and to explore possible testing and treatment strategies incorporating point-of-care testing versus laboratory-based tests. RESULTSPerforming a rapid in-clinic test on women who did not meet empiric treatment criteria would have increased the overall proportion of infected persons receiving same-day treatment from 48.6% to 79.1% using DFA or 78.4% using OIA. CONCLUSIONSUse of empiric treatment criteria and same-day point-of-care testing for patients not meeting the empiric treatment threshold appears to be an appropriate, useful, and cost-effective strategy for increasing same-day treatment of Ct infections in this population.

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Hospitals and nursing homes were surveyed in 2006 to obtain information on employee influenza vaccination programs and baseline rates of influenza vaccination among employees. Results were used to make recommendations for improving employees' 2007 influenza vaccination rates. Facilities should continue to provide convenient and free vaccination programs, offer education to promote vaccination,and use signed declination forms.