Dr. Rodney E Rohde, SV, SM, MB (ASCP), FACSc,

Andrea Prinzi & Rohde R.E. Bacterial Meningitis: History of Diagnosis and Treatment, American Society for Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs. January 25, 2024. https://asm.org/Articles/2024/July/Bacterial-Meningitis-A-History-of-Diagnosis-and-Tr

Rohde R.E. Fungal Meningitis. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. June 2024, Volume 6, Issue 6. https://joom.ag/Natd/p8

Rohde, R.E., Chapter, “DNA Viruses.” In C.M. Cullen (ed), Ace the Boards: A Concise Review of Clinical Microbiology, 1st edition, Ace My Path, LLC 2023, Published June 5, 2024 [ASIN B0CXTGP3CX] https://www.acemypath.com/ & available on Amazon.

Rohde, R.E., Chapter, “Introduction to Virology.” In C.M. Cullen (ed), Ace the Boards: A Concise Review of Clinical Microbiology, 1st edition, Ace My Path, LLC 2023, Published June 5, 2024 [ASIN B0CXTGP3CX] https://www.acemypath.com/ & available on Amazon.

Rohde, R.E., Chapter, “RNA Viruses.” In C.M. Cullen (ed), Ace the Boards: A Concise Review of Clinical Microbiology, 1st edition, Ace My Path, LLC 2023, Published June 5, 2024 [ASIN B0CXTGP3CX] https://www.acemypath.com/ & available on Amazon.

Rohde R.E. Measles Once Again. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. April 2024, Volume 6, Issue 4. https://joom.ag/IyZd/p8

Measles is caused by the measles virus, a single-stranded, negative-sense, enveloped RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease.

Illustration rendering of the measles virus particle.
This illustration provides a 3D graphic representation of a spherical-shaped measles virus particle studded with glycoprotein tubercles. Colorized in maroon, tubercular studs are known as hemagglutinin… Show more

Measles is caused by the measles virus, a single-stranded, negative-sense, enveloped RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease.

Illustration rendering of the measles virus particle.
This illustration provides a 3D graphic representation of a spherical-shaped measles virus particle studded with glycoprotein tubercles. Colorized in maroon, tubercular studs are known as hemagglutinin (H)-proteins, while those colorized gray represent fusion (F)-proteins. F-proteins are responsible for the fusion of the virus and host cell membranes, viral penetration, and hemolysis. The H-protein is responsible for the binding of virions to cells. Both types of proteinaceous studs are embedded in the particle envelope’s lipid bilayer.

CDC PHIL / ALLISON M. MAIURI, MPH, CHES ID# 21074

For most countries, the recommendation is that children be immunized against measles at 12 months, generally as part of a three-part MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). Waiting to vaccinate an infant until 12 months of age is necessary to ensure the immune system can adequately respond to the vaccine to produce immunity. Further, children between the ages of four and five are given a second dose of the vaccine to increase rates of immunity. Show less

Rohde R.E. Walk Like a Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. February 2024, Volume 6, Issue 2. https://joom.ag/kQAd/p8

Most of society by now are at least somewhat aware of the severe shortages of frontline nurses and doctors. Workforce shortages were here even before the pandemic – but now, like most professions, the
healthcare and public health workforce shortage has reached dangerously low staffing levels. In a recent 2023 Definitive Healthcare report, the authors state that since 2020, nearly one in five healthcare workers have quit their jobs, and research suggests that up to 47% of healthcare workers… Show more

Most of society by now are at least somewhat aware of the severe shortages of frontline nurses and doctors. Workforce shortages were here even before the pandemic – but now, like most professions, the
healthcare and public health workforce shortage has reached dangerously low staffing levels. In a recent 2023 Definitive Healthcare report, the authors state that since 2020, nearly one in five healthcare workers have quit their jobs, and research suggests that up to 47% of healthcare workers plan to leave their positions by 2025. The U.S. is suffering from a significant healthcare worker shortage, and the data
shows that this is going to have near-term and long-term effects on patient care and safety, and hospital and physician performance. Anthony Klotz, a management professor at London’s UCL School of Management, predicted in May 2021 that the Covid-19 pandemic would lead to pent-up resignations. “The pandemic brought the future of work into the present of work,” he said. Challenges faced include
burnout/ bullying/ stress/ workload/ lack of recognition / lack of respect/ lack of compensation for
education and experience/ the ‘Great Resignation’ with baby boomers retiring outpacing the new graduates/ and the fiscal crisis of healthcare. And the issues will likely get worse before better. Show less

Health care facilities serve as havens for patients seeking treatment for disease and injury. However, they can also be home to a hidden world of microbes, lurking in places and devices that lead to life-threatening infections. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 31 patients will acquire at least 1 health care-associated infection (HAI)—including infections with antibiotic-resistant organisms—while being treated for something unrelated.

For… Show more

Health care facilities serve as havens for patients seeking treatment for disease and injury. However, they can also be home to a hidden world of microbes, lurking in places and devices that lead to life-threatening infections. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 31 patients will acquire at least 1 health care-associated infection (HAI)—including infections with antibiotic-resistant organisms—while being treated for something unrelated.

For centuries, it was believed that if everyone would do a better job cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing when required, HAIs (and overall infections in the community setting) would be eliminated. However, data show this is not the case. Patients who occupy a room where a previous patient had an HAI have a 25% chance of acquiring the same infection, despite best efforts to follow required protocols for terminally cleaning and disinfecting the room. Furthermore, patients who have symptomatic infection may shed larger amounts of infectious microbes through body fluid and contaminate surrounding surfaces.

Surface type and building structure are, therefore, important components of the equation, which necessitate an organized effort to understand the root causes and develop multimodal solutions that support ongoing efforts to stop the spread of HAIs within health care facilities. Show less

As we approach the end of our fourth year with COVID-19, we are still facing those old foes of influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the infection and condition of COVID-19.

While the world has grown weary of hearing about COVID-19, it is crucial that everyone continues to learn about the ongoing changes surrounding these dangerous and sometimes deadly microbial agents. It’s important to remember that vaccination is one part of a… Show more

As we approach the end of our fourth year with COVID-19, we are still facing those old foes of influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the infection and condition of COVID-19.

While the world has grown weary of hearing about COVID-19, it is crucial that everyone continues to learn about the ongoing changes surrounding these dangerous and sometimes deadly microbial agents. It’s important to remember that vaccination is one part of a very critical multimodal public health and personal health strategy for risk reduction, especially regarding the elderly and others who are immunocompromised. Show less

A feral kitten in Omaha, Nebraska, tested positive for rabies in November 2023. It died of the raccoon variant of the virus, which is typically found only in the Appalachian Mountains. Detecting this variant hundreds of miles away in the Midwest raised concerns about a potential outbreak and launched a public health task force to vaccinate all raccoons in the area.

While the case was likely contained, a better understanding of how rabies is transmitted can help prevent future outbreaks… Show more

A feral kitten in Omaha, Nebraska, tested positive for rabies in November 2023. It died of the raccoon variant of the virus, which is typically found only in the Appalachian Mountains. Detecting this variant hundreds of miles away in the Midwest raised concerns about a potential outbreak and launched a public health task force to vaccinate all raccoons in the area.

While the case was likely contained, a better understanding of how rabies is transmitted can help prevent future outbreaks. Researchers Rodney Rohde and Charles Rupprecht explain how rabies vaccination works and how to protect yourself from infection. Show less

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases defines emerging infectious diseases/pathogens as those “that have newly appeared in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range.” As the world takes a collective breath after four years of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 and a global mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) emergency, the ongoing danger from emerging and reemerging pathogens remains very real.

WHAT WILL 2024 BRING… Show more

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases defines emerging infectious diseases/pathogens as those “that have newly appeared in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range.” As the world takes a collective breath after four years of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 and a global mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) emergency, the ongoing danger from emerging and reemerging pathogens remains very real.

WHAT WILL 2024 BRING TO OUR SHORES, OUR CITIES, AND OUR HOMES?
Here is a brief look at possible pathogens—old and new alike. Show less

Should we be worried about Human Parainfluenza Viruses?

As autumn transitions to winter, there's more than a simple chill in the air—a stark reminder that respiratory viruses like influenza (flu), SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be following people as they migrate indoors.

Rohde R.E. , EvaClean Insights Newsletter Oct 2023. October 30, 2023. https://www.evaclean.com/news-events/oct-2023-newsletter

Contagions exist everywhere, not just in healthcare. As is often the case, people may be contagious before they realize they are sick. Infections are easily spread through contact or by touching contaminated objects or surfaces. Virtually any facility where people gather presents a risk for exposure but, because each environment is unique, some are more… Show more

Rohde R.E. , EvaClean Insights Newsletter Oct 2023. October 30, 2023. https://www.evaclean.com/news-events/oct-2023-newsletter

Contagions exist everywhere, not just in healthcare. As is often the case, people may be contagious before they realize they are sick. Infections are easily spread through contact or by touching contaminated objects or surfaces. Virtually any facility where people gather presents a risk for exposure but, because each environment is unique, some are more susceptible to certain pathogens than others. Understanding which pathogens cause the most illnesses in your facility is half the battle — The other half is finding ways to reduce risks, a topic that will be addressed in Part III of this series. Show less

Rohde R.E. Wastewater Surveillance Works. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. October 2023, Volume 5, Issue 10. https://joom.ag/RHTd/p8

Rohde R.E. Why Every Facility Should Care about Infection Prevention [Part 1], EvaClean Insights Newsletter Sep 2023. September 20, 2023. https://www.evaclean.com/news-events/sep-2023-newsletter

Malaria, an infectious disease caused by parasites belonging to the Plasmodium genus and transmitted by infected mosquitoes, is responsible for mortality and morbidity in over 40% of the world, making it one of the most devastating diseases in human history. In fact, the disease is thought to be responsible for between 2-5% of all fatalities that occurred during the 20th century (between 150 million-300 million deaths).

The spillover of zoonotic diseases continues to make headlines across the globe, from SARS-CoV-2 to Mpox to Yellow Fever. On June 26, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed a Health Alert Network notification about locally acquired malaria in Florida and Texas—the first cases in the U.S. in two decades. Although the risk of locally acquired malaria remains low, CDC warns that the Anopheles mosquito vectors are found throughout many regions of the country and are… Show more

The spillover of zoonotic diseases continues to make headlines across the globe, from SARS-CoV-2 to Mpox to Yellow Fever. On June 26, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed a Health Alert Network notification about locally acquired malaria in Florida and Texas—the first cases in the U.S. in two decades. Although the risk of locally acquired malaria remains low, CDC warns that the Anopheles mosquito vectors are found throughout many regions of the country and are capable of transmitting malaria if they feed on a malaria-infected person. Likewise, CDC must plan and establish access for IV artesunate, a first-line treatment for severe malaria cases. Show less

Rohde R.E. Ongoing Challenges for IP&C: 2024 and Beyond. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. August 2023, Volume 5, Issue 8-9. https://joom.ag/sCNd/p8

Dhagat, P. & Rohde R.E. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever – An Up “Tick” in 2023. InfectionControl.TIPS July 27, 2023. https://infectioncontrol.tips/2023/07/27/crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever-an-up-tick-in-2023/

Rohde R.E. Ringworm fungal infections are common in the US and are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment – 6 questions answered. https://theconversation.com/ringworm-fungal-infections-are-common-in-the-us-and-are-becoming-increasingly-resistant-to-treatment-6-questions-answered-206560 The Conversation. June 29, 2023.

Rohde R.E. As the Adenovirus-Induced Hepatitis Mystery Continues, an Understanding of Testing is Vital. Contagion Live – Clinical Corner. June 25, 2023. https://www.contagionlive.com/view/the-adenovirus-induced-hepatitis-mystery-continues

Rohde R.E. Developing Relational Skills in Medical Laboratory Education. American Society for Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs. June 16, 2023. https://asm.org/Articles/2023/June/Developing-Relational-Skills-in-Medical-Laboratory

Rohde R.E. The Infection Preventionist Journey. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. June 2023, Volume 5, Issue 6. https://joom.ag/PQRd/p8

Rohde R.E. Understanding the Hidden Danger of Biofilm. Healthcare Surfaces Institute Newsletter Blog Highlight. May 11, 2023. https://www.healthcaresurfacesinstitute.org/understanding-the-hidden-danger-of-biofilm/?mc_cid=fe123f75ed&mc_eid=8d24dd4a3b

Rohde R.E. Public Health and Medical Laboratory Professional Identity. American Society for Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs. April 28, 2023. https://stage.asm.org/Articles/2023/April/Public-Health-and-Medical-Laboratory-Professional

Rohde R.E. & Dhagat Priya. What You Need to Know About Nipah Virus. American Society for Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs. April 20, 2023. https://asm.org/Articles/2023/April/What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Nipah-Virus

Rohde R.E. Invited interview for the #podcast on Let’s Talk Micro with Luis Plaza – S02 E85 - 85: Bacterial Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance with Dr. Rodney E. Rohde and Dr. Andrea Prinzi. April 14, 2023. https://rss.com/podcasts/letstalkmicro/906002/?fbclid=IwAR07oLKPWM8fstiNxQ_lj146VhPUlXqF6dYk9cTYnjwLSFB_StJsp_EPqjg

Gonorrhea: Not Your Usual STI Anymore.
An update on the antimicrobial resistance #AMR issue with this microbe. #STI

Rohde R.E. Invited interview with Dr. Judy Oskam - Stories of Change & Creativity Podcast:
Dr. Rodney E. Rohde: Building Your Faculty Brand. April 2, 2023. https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/12566647

Fifty-six years following its discovery, Marburg virus (MARV)—a cousin to Ebolavirus in the Filoviridae family—remains a feared pathogen with high fatality and no licensed treatments or vaccines. Recent outbreaks of the disease have captured headlines and demonstrated that its geographic range is expanding.

Biofilms have long been recognized in nature and may be found adhering to a variety of surfaces, including rocks in streams (slime), mammalian teeth, roots of plants and even in water pipes. Biofilms may be the most adaptable microbial feature in nature. However, when the associated microbes are pathogenic, this ability to aggregate into biofilms becomes a significant virulence factor.

Medical laboratory testing is the heartbeat of medicine. It provides critical data for physicians to diagnose and treat disease, dating back thousands of years. Unfortunately, laboratory medicine as a field is poorly understood by both the public and health care communities.

Laboratory medicine, also known as clinical pathology, is one of two main branches of pathology, or the study of the causes and effects of disease. Pathology covers many laboratory areas, such as blood banking and… Show more

Medical laboratory testing is the heartbeat of medicine. It provides critical data for physicians to diagnose and treat disease, dating back thousands of years. Unfortunately, laboratory medicine as a field is poorly understood by both the public and health care communities.

Laboratory medicine, also known as clinical pathology, is one of two main branches of pathology, or the study of the causes and effects of disease. Pathology covers many laboratory areas, such as blood banking and microbiology. Clinical pathology diagnoses a disease through laboratory analysis of body fluids such as blood, urine, feces and saliva. The other branch of pathology, anatomic pathology, diagnoses a disease by examining body tissues.

We are public health and medical laboratory scientists who specialize in microbiology and infectious diseases. There are a lot of steps between when your doctor orders a blood test to establishing a diagnosis. From the bedside to the lab bench, here’s how laboratory testing works.

It all starts with a specimen... Show less

Rohde R.E. Raccoons, Aromatherapy and Burkholderia. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. February 2023, Volume 5, Issue 2. p. 8. https://joom.ag/4gld/p8

Please enjoy this guest blog on medical laboratory professionals by Rodney E. Rohde, Regents’ Professor, MLS Chair, and Global Fellow, Texas State University.

I’ve mentioned before in this blog that too often the work scientists do is hidden from the public. This particularly affects students as they make decisions about their future careers. Dr. Rohde, as guest blogger for this entry, discusses a key scientific profession that is vital to all of us. Thanks so much for your post, Dr… Show more

Please enjoy this guest blog on medical laboratory professionals by Rodney E. Rohde, Regents’ Professor, MLS Chair, and Global Fellow, Texas State University.

I’ve mentioned before in this blog that too often the work scientists do is hidden from the public. This particularly affects students as they make decisions about their future careers. Dr. Rohde, as guest blogger for this entry, discusses a key scientific profession that is vital to all of us. Thanks so much for your post, Dr. Rohde! Show less

As autumn transitions to winter, there's more than a simple chill in the air. A​ U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) health advisory and media briefing, held on November 4, 2022, indicated that the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasing in 8 out of 10 public health regions in the U.S. (all except the Southeast and South-Central parts of the country). At that time, some regions were already nearing levels typically observed during the virus’s seasonal… Show more

As autumn transitions to winter, there's more than a simple chill in the air. A​ U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) health advisory and media briefing, held on November 4, 2022, indicated that the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasing in 8 out of 10 public health regions in the U.S. (all except the Southeast and South-Central parts of the country). At that time, some regions were already nearing levels typically observed during the virus’s seasonal peak months of December or January.

In other words, RSV has arrived early this year and is impacting hospitals, urgent care centers and clinics in numerous locations across the U.S. Knowing a bit about the disease, how to protect oneself and one's children—and when to seek treatment—are key to enduring this unwelcome seasonal guest. Show less

Rohde R.E. ‘Tis The Respiratory Season. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. December 2022, Volume 4, Issue 12. p. 8. https://joom.ag/Oz5d/p8

There is a critical shortage of Clinical Laboratory Scientists across the U.S. According to today’s guest, there’s a nationwide gap of roughly 40% and it’s creating a national healthcare crisis that the public doesn’t quite grasp.

On this episode we talk with Dr. Rodney Rohde, a Regents’ Professor at Texas State University, and the University Distinguished Chair and Professor for Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS). Dr. Rhode helps us to better understand what a Clinical Laboratory… Show more

There is a critical shortage of Clinical Laboratory Scientists across the U.S. According to today’s guest, there’s a nationwide gap of roughly 40% and it’s creating a national healthcare crisis that the public doesn’t quite grasp.

On this episode we talk with Dr. Rodney Rohde, a Regents’ Professor at Texas State University, and the University Distinguished Chair and Professor for Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS). Dr. Rhode helps us to better understand what a Clinical Laboratory Scientist does, why they are so critical to healthcare delivery, and why it’s so important to raise awareness of the profession, as well as the risks we face due to the shortage. Dr. Rohde tells us that a big part of who he is today is because he is trying to put a face on this critical function that happens entirely in the background.

Dr. Rohde is not just an educator in academia. Throughout our conversation, and in everything he does, his goal is education. This is evident in each topic we discuss including:

Airdropping vaccines to quell a canine rabies epidemic in Texas.
Raising awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Using social media to combat misinformation (and why more scientists need to do this) Show less

Rohde R.E. Monkeypox: Now What? Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. October 2022, Volume 4, Issue 10. p. 8. https://joom.ag/aMzd/p8

Focus on how to deal with infection control and prevention from an environmental view.

Some of the greatest scientific discoveries haven’t resulted in Nobel Prizes.

Louis Pasteur, who lived from 1822 to 1895, is arguably the world’s best-known microbiologist. He is widely credited for the germ theory of disease and for inventing the process of pasteurization – which is named after him – to preserve foods. Remarkably, he also developed the rabies and anthrax vaccines and made major contributions to combating cholera.

But because he died in 1895, six years before the… Show more

Some of the greatest scientific discoveries haven’t resulted in Nobel Prizes.

Louis Pasteur, who lived from 1822 to 1895, is arguably the world’s best-known microbiologist. He is widely credited for the germ theory of disease and for inventing the process of pasteurization – which is named after him – to preserve foods. Remarkably, he also developed the rabies and anthrax vaccines and made major contributions to combating cholera.

But because he died in 1895, six years before the first Nobel Prize was awarded, that prize isn’t on his resume. Had he lived in the era of Nobel Prizes, he would undoubtedly have been deserving of one for his work. Nobel Prizes, which are awarded in various fields, including physiology and medicine, are not given posthumously.

During the current time of ongoing threats from emerging or reemerging infectious diseases, from COVID-19 and polio to monkeypox and rabies, it is awe-inspiring to look back on Pasteur’s legacy. His efforts fundamentally changed how people view infectious diseases and how to fight them via vaccines. Show less

Rohde R.E. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work – Fighting HAIs and AMR. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. August 2022, Volume 4, Issue 8. p. 8. https://joom.ag/WbId/p8

Due to the possibility that bird flu viruses could mutate and gain the ability to spread easily between people, avian influenza poses a significant pandemic threat to birds and humans alike. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring for illness among humans exposed to infected birds since outbreaks were detected in poultry and wild bird populations in late 2021-2022. As of July 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 40.09 M birds in 36… Show more

Due to the possibility that bird flu viruses could mutate and gain the ability to spread easily between people, avian influenza poses a significant pandemic threat to birds and humans alike. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring for illness among humans exposed to infected birds since outbreaks were detected in poultry and wild bird populations in late 2021-2022. As of July 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 40.09 M birds in 36 U.S. states to be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Out of the 382 flocks to test positive for the virus, 186 were commercial and 196 were backyard flocks. Yet, only 2 human cases associated with this particular group of avian influenza have been detected globally—1 in the U.S. and the other in the U.K. Understanding the history of this virus, as well as current guidelines and recommendations for investigations and response (i.e., monitoring for human infection and person-to-person spread) are extremely important for public health. Show less

For 2 years, everyone on planet earth has watched what is arguably the biggest global emergency in over a century unfold before our eyes. SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, mRNA, “flattening the curve,” and other medical and laboratory jargon has become mainstream vocabulary. The pandemic of our generation has ebbed and flowed as most microbial outbreaks do, while humankind has experienced anxiety, heartbreak, hope, and exhaustion. Then, just as the world was beginning to hope for a pandemic ending, an old… Show more

For 2 years, everyone on planet earth has watched what is arguably the biggest global emergency in over a century unfold before our eyes. SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, mRNA, “flattening the curve,” and other medical and laboratory jargon has become mainstream vocabulary. The pandemic of our generation has ebbed and flowed as most microbial outbreaks do, while humankind has experienced anxiety, heartbreak, hope, and exhaustion. Then, just as the world was beginning to hope for a pandemic ending, an old zoonotic agent reared its viral head: monkeypox.

Rohde R.E. Monkeypox Arrives in the U.S.—Now What? Clinical Laboratory News, AACC.org July/August 2022. https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2022/julyaugust/monkeypox-arrives-in-the-us-now-what Show less

Investigating the U.S. Case of Human Avian Influenza A(H5) Virus. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. June 2022, Volume 4, Issue 6. p. 8. https://joom.ag/O2ad/p8

Plentiful and essential, water is considered the universal solvent for biological life. Indeed, life is thought to have originated in the aqueous environment of the planet, and living organisms rely on blood, extra- and intracellular solutions and digestive juices for biological processes. Yet, water can also be a place where dangerous and deadly microbes reside, waiting for a host to arrive.

Waterborne illnesses are likely to occur more frequently with the ongoing changes to our weather… Show more

Plentiful and essential, water is considered the universal solvent for biological life. Indeed, life is thought to have originated in the aqueous environment of the planet, and living organisms rely on blood, extra- and intracellular solutions and digestive juices for biological processes. Yet, water can also be a place where dangerous and deadly microbes reside, waiting for a host to arrive.

Waterborne illnesses are likely to occur more frequently with the ongoing changes to our weather and climate patterns. The health effects of climate change could undercut public health advances and developments made in the last 50 years. Rain events, storm surges and the rise and fall of temperatures and humidity levels all impact the survival of microbes on land and in our seas. Some have evolved strategies to survive at temperatures higher than ambient body or host temperatures. Show less

On May 7, 2022 the world was alerted to a confirmed case of monkeypox in the United Kingdom. Cases have since cropped up across the globe, from Sweden and Australia, to the U.S. and Canada. As of May 21, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 92 confirmed (and 28 suspected) monkeypox cases in 12 countries where the disease is not normally present. WHO is working with these countries, and others, to expand surveillance and provide guidance for monitoring and managing these outbreaks. But… Show more

On May 7, 2022 the world was alerted to a confirmed case of monkeypox in the United Kingdom. Cases have since cropped up across the globe, from Sweden and Australia, to the U.S. and Canada. As of May 21, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 92 confirmed (and 28 suspected) monkeypox cases in 12 countries where the disease is not normally present. WHO is working with these countries, and others, to expand surveillance and provide guidance for monitoring and managing these outbreaks. But what exactly is monkeypox, and should we be concerned about the latest pathogen to capture headlines? Show less

On May 18, 2022, Massachusetts health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a single case of monkeypox in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada. Cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Monkeypox isn’t a new disease. The first confirmed human case was in 1970, when the virus was isolated from a child suspected of having smallpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Monkeypox is unlikely to cause another pandemic, but… Show more

On May 18, 2022, Massachusetts health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a single case of monkeypox in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada. Cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Monkeypox isn’t a new disease. The first confirmed human case was in 1970, when the virus was isolated from a child suspected of having smallpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Monkeypox is unlikely to cause another pandemic, but with COVID-19 top of mind, fear of another major outbreak is understandable. Though rare and usually mild, monkeypox can still potentially cause severe illness. Health officials are concerned that more cases will arise with increased travel. Show less

The drivers of antimicrobial resistance are complex and multifaceted, often involving the interplay between lack of medical infrastructure, agriculture, the environment, inadequate surveillance and prevention measures, lack of attention to the local context, and excessive antimicrobial use. Tools and approaches for tracking and preventing antimicrobial resistance are evolving and span the scientific spectrum from clinical laboratory science to data analytics and genomic surveillance. Future… Show more

The drivers of antimicrobial resistance are complex and multifaceted, often involving the interplay between lack of medical infrastructure, agriculture, the environment, inadequate surveillance and prevention measures, lack of attention to the local context, and excessive antimicrobial use. Tools and approaches for tracking and preventing antimicrobial resistance are evolving and span the scientific spectrum from clinical laboratory science to data analytics and genomic surveillance. Future antimicrobial resistance prevention and control efforts should incorporate the One Health initiative and aim to be interdisciplinary and dynamic with a strong focus on local context and data transparency Show less

Did you know that medical laboratory professionals provide roughly 13 billion laboratory tests each year? Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity affecting Americans, and it drives about two-thirds of all medical decisions made by doctors and other health care professionals from cradle to grave.1 Each one of us, in our own way, is an expert. Collectively, we are the heartbeat and brain of the health care and public health system. Yet, this expertise often stays buried… Show more

Did you know that medical laboratory professionals provide roughly 13 billion laboratory tests each year? Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity affecting Americans, and it drives about two-thirds of all medical decisions made by doctors and other health care professionals from cradle to grave.1 Each one of us, in our own way, is an expert. Collectively, we are the heartbeat and brain of the health care and public health system. Yet, this expertise often stays buried in the laboratory. We must all find a way to take a bold step forward out of the shadow of the laboratory. We must step into the light where healthcare professionals, the public, and our patients see our expertise!

No one is born an expert. If you want to become a subject matter expert (SME), you have to start somewhere. An SME has a deep knowledge of a specific process, function, or technology (or a combination of all three). These experts are considered an authority on a certain topic—not only educated on the subject but has the capacity to share their knowledge with other interested parties. This information is important to your organization because it gives it a competitive edge. More importantly for us, an SME can provide visibility and awareness. Show less

Rohde R.E. The Microbial Battlefront: Surfaces. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. April 2022, Volume 4, Issue 4. p. 10. https://joom.ag/NbWd/p10

Plentiful and essential, water is considered the universal solvent for biological life. Indeed, life is thought to have originated in the aqueous environment of the planet, and living organisms rely on blood, extra- and intracellular solutions and digestive juices for biological processes. Furthermore, research has demonstrated positive health outcomes, including lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress, from simply looking at fish swimming in aquatic environments. Yet, water can also be a… Show more

Plentiful and essential, water is considered the universal solvent for biological life. Indeed, life is thought to have originated in the aqueous environment of the planet, and living organisms rely on blood, extra- and intracellular solutions and digestive juices for biological processes. Furthermore, research has demonstrated positive health outcomes, including lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress, from simply looking at fish swimming in aquatic environments. Yet, water can also be a place where dangerous and deadly microbes lurk, waiting for a host to arrive. Show less

Rohde R.E. Fish Aquariums: A Transmission Source Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. February 2022, Volume 4, Issue 2. p. 8. https://joom.ag/WEcI/p8

Rohde R.E. The omicron variant is deepening severe staffing shortages in medical laboratories across the US. The Conversation. January 19, 2022. https://theconversation.com/the-omicron-variant-is-deepening-severe-staffing-shortages-in-medical-laboratories-across-the-us-174459

Emily K. Brunson, Rodney E. Rohde & Lawrence V. Fulton (2021) College students’ willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines, Journal of American College Health, DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1996375

Rohde R.E. Abiotrophia defective: Quit Being so Difficult. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. November 2021, Volume 3, Issue 11. p. 8. https://joom.ag/98hI/p8

Rohde R.E. and McNamara R.P. What is herd immunity? A public health expert and a medical laboratory scientist explain. The Conversation. November 2, 2021. https://theconversation.com/what-is-herd-immunity-a-public-health-expert-and-a-medical-laboratory-scientist-explain-170520

McNamara R.P. and Rohde R.E. Cover Story – Influenza Virus Is Primed for Continual Emergence and Pandemic Potential. Contagion Live, October 2021 (Vol. 06, No. 05). https://www.contagionlive.com/view/influenza-virus-primed-continual-emergence-pandemic-potential

Rohde R.E. Burkholderia cepacia complex Triggers Recall. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. October 2021, Volume 3, Issue 10. p. 8. https://joom.ag/83vI/p8

Rohde R.E. & Angela Tomei Robinson. American Society of Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs article. Using Laboratory Medicine to Support Direct Patient Care. October 5, 2021. https://asm.org/Articles/2021/October/Using-Laboratory-Medicine-to-Support-Direct-Patien

Rohde R.E. & Pamela J. Wilson. American Society of Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs article. The One Health of Rabies: It’s Not Just for Animals. September 28, 2021. https://asm.org/Articles/2021/September/The-One-Health-of-Rabies-It-s-Not-Just-for-Animals

Rohde R.E. Sounding the Alarm about Burkholderia spp. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. September 2021, Volume 3, Issue 9. p. 10. https://joom.ag/2DsI/p10

Rohde R.E. Fungal infections worldwide are becoming resistant to drugs and more deadly. August 20Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. 21, Volume 3, Issue 8. p. 10. https://joom.ag/iuSI/p10

Rohde R.E. US is split between the vaccinated and unvaccinated – and deaths and hospitalizations reflect this divide. The Conversation. July 22, 2021. https://theconversation.com/us-is-split-between-the-vaccinated-and-unvaccinated-and-deaths-and-hospitalizations-reflect-this-divide-164460

Rohde R.E. American Society of Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs article. Molecular Diagnostics in the Medical Laboratory in Real Time. American Society of Microbiology, Bugs and Drugs. July 7, 2021. https://asm.org/Articles/2021/July/Molecular-Diagnostics-in-the-Medical-Laboratory-in

Rohde R.E. Antibiotic Resistance and the Medical Laboratory. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. July 2021, Volume 3, Issue 7. p. 8. https://joom.ag/gzkI/p8

Rohde R.E. Fungal infections worldwide are becoming resistant to drugs and more deadly. The Conversation. June 28, 2021. https://theconversation.com/fungal-infections-worldwide-are-becoming-resistant-to-drugs-and-more-deadly-161975

I often refer to antimicrobial resistance as the slow-burning pandemic that continues to spread like a smoldering wildfire – picture a large expanding, ignored sustained bed of coals that continues to make global progress by sparking fires around the world. Antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance is everyone’s problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that each year in the United States, at least 2.8 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant microbes, and more… Show more

I often refer to antimicrobial resistance as the slow-burning pandemic that continues to spread like a smoldering wildfire – picture a large expanding, ignored sustained bed of coals that continues to make global progress by sparking fires around the world. Antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance is everyone’s problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that each year in the United States, at least 2.8 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant microbes, and more than 35,000 die as a result.

The UN Ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance report warns us that, without action, drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. Furthermore, damage to the economy as catastrophic as the 2008-2009 global financial crisis can be expected. By 2030, antimicrobial resistance could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty. At least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 230,000 people who die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. More and more common diseases, including respiratory tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and urinary tract infections, are untreatable; lifesaving medical procedures are becoming much riskier, and our food systems are increasingly precarious.
How can we help? What can those of us who work in public health and healthcare do to help curb this global emergency? The following commentary will discuss recent research and insight regarding how laboratories can play a critical role in reducing antimicrobial resistance.

Rohde R.E. Antibiotic Stewardship: The Role Medical Laboratories Play. InfectionControl.TIPS June 17, 2021. https://infectioncontrol.tips/2021/06/17/antibiotic-stewardship-the-role-medical-laboratories-play/ Show less

Rohde R.E. The Medical Laboratory Professional. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. June 2021, Volume 3, Issue 6. p. 8-9. https://joom.ag/OtgI/p8

Rohde R.E. Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. May 2021, Volume 3, Issue 5. p. 8. https://joom.ag/cf8I/p8

Rohde R.E. To Beat Covid Variants, The U.S. Must Do More To Find Them. Forbes, Coronavirus Frontlines, Healthcare, April 21, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/coronavirusfrontlines/2021/04/21/to-beat-covid-variants-the-us-must-do-more-to-find-them/?sh=4dff7de720b1

Rohde R.E. and McNamara R.P. Cover Story – Virus Spillover and Emerging Pathogens Pick Up Speed. Contagion, April 2021 (Vol. 06, No. 02). https://www.contagionlive.com/view/virus-spillover-and-emerging-pathogens-pick-up-speed

Rohde R.E. The Infection Prevention and Environmental Services Professions. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. April 2021, Volume 3, Issue 4. pp. 10. https://joom.ag/zF3I/p10

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and COVID-19.

Rohde R.E. AMR and COVID-19: The Intersection of the Pandemic? Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. March 2021, Volume 3, Issue 3. pp. 8. https://joom.ag/J1CI/p8

It may be summer before children under 16 can be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States. That’s a problem for reaching herd immunity quickly.

Children are a significant portion of the population – roughly 65 million are under the age of 16, making up 20% of people in the U.S. While children appear to face less danger of severe illness or death, they can still spread the virus, though how much young children contribute to transmission is still unclear.

Some simple math… Show more

It may be summer before children under 16 can be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States. That’s a problem for reaching herd immunity quickly.

Children are a significant portion of the population – roughly 65 million are under the age of 16, making up 20% of people in the U.S. While children appear to face less danger of severe illness or death, they can still spread the virus, though how much young children contribute to transmission is still unclear.

Some simple math shows why America has an immunization numbers problem. Show less

What does a SARS-CoV-2 Variant Mean?

Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. February 2021, Volume 2, Issue 2. pp. 8-9. https://joom.ag/drQI/p8

“Our work suggests a potential risk of SARS-CoV re-emergence from viruses currently circulating in bat populations.”

These were words written by Professor Ralph Baric’s group in 2015, foreshadowing a pandemic that would define a generation in just a few short years. It would have benefited all of us to heed these prophetic words more closely.

2020: It has been Quite a Year!

Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. January 2021, Volume 3, Issue 1, p.8. https://joom.ag/nuiI/p8

Who do you think performs your medical laboratory tests for COVID-19 or any other test? If you answered “my doctor” or “my nurse” or a robot, you would be completely wrong.

To put it bluntly, your life is in the hands of medical laboratory professionals. We perform an estimated 13 billion laboratory tests in the United States each year. That means that laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity in the lives of Americans.

When President Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19, one of the cutting-edge experimental therapies he received was a mixture of monoclonal antibodies. But now a vaccine may soon be available. So are other therapies necessary or valuable? And what exactly is a monoclonal antibody?

The Critical Role of QC in Every Stage of Assay Development and Usage

For anyone of us involved in medical laboratory or public health laboratory testing, we understand the critical importance of clinical quality control (QC). With the ongoing fallout from the massive contamination of laboratory test kit reagents at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this issue has been front and center not only in the laboratory community but in the public mindset as well. How could… Show more

The Critical Role of QC in Every Stage of Assay Development and Usage

For anyone of us involved in medical laboratory or public health laboratory testing, we understand the critical importance of clinical quality control (QC). With the ongoing fallout from the massive contamination of laboratory test kit reagents at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this issue has been front and center not only in the laboratory community but in the public mindset as well. How could the preeminent public health laboratory for the United States fail in such a critical moment – a global pandemic? We do not have to look only to the CDC; there are other examples of failed testing across the world. Typically, one thinks of direct patient care when we hear or read about medical errors costing lives. In this article, we will examine the issues surrounding QC and other measures to ensure not only the accuracy of a laboratory test, but the very health and life of the citizens these tests should be protecting. Show less

Differential Media and Selective Media: What Are They and What's the Difference?
A culture medium is simply water and nutrients that support microbial growth. Primary culture media for clinical microbiology are divided into 3 primary categories — nutritive, differential and selective media.

Rohde R.E. Without Good Public Health Strategy, The Coronavirus Pandemic Could Make Antimicrobial Resistance Worse. Forbes, Coronavirus Frontlines, Healthcare, September 16, 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/coronavirusfrontlines/2020/09/16/without-good-public-health-strategy-the-coronavirus-pandemic-could-make-antimicrobial-resistance-worse/#19e5af8c1016

Rohde, R.E. How CHROMagar™ Revolutionized Microbe Identification. Invited American Society of Microbiology article. September 11, 2020. https://asm.org/Articles/2020/September/How-CHROMagar-TM-Revolutionized-Bacterial-Identifi

Rohde R.E. Norovirus: It’s not just on Cruise Ships. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – https://joom.ag/Gu7C/p8

Rohde R.E. Just what do you know about gonorrhea? Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. August 2020, Volume 2, Issue 8, p.8. https://joom.ag/twZC/p8

Rohde R.E. (Bio)filming in the Environment. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. July 2020, Volume 2, Issue 7, p.8. https://joom.ag/clTC/p8

Rohde R.E. The Coronavirus Pandemic Isn’t Over: Keep Washing Your Hands As Economies Reopen. Forbes, Coronavirus Frontlines, Healthcare. June 10, 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/coronavirusfrontlines/2020/06/10/the-coronavirus-pandemic-isnt-over-keep-washing-your-hands-as-economies-reopen/#59ee5f2a54f0

Rohde R.E. Tuberculosis: It Keeps on Keeping On. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. June 2020, Volume 2, Issue 6, p.8. https://joom.ag/u68C/p8

Rohde R.E. The Environment can be a Dangerous Place. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. May 2020, Volume 2, Issue 5, p.9. https://joom.ag/tw1C/p8

Pseudomonas aeruginosa discussion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has turned its eye towards medical laboratory professionals. For those of us in this profession, a profession that has often been behind those biohazard labeled doors, the time has finally arrived for the public and those in healthcare to truly understand our value to saving lives. Simply put, medical laboratory professionals are the doctor’s doctor.

The current and rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has the world in its grip. It seems everyone is focused on laboratory testing. Medical and public health laboratory professionals are the ones in the trenches conducting the day-to-day testing. With Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW) upon us, it’s way past time to celebrate the profession and raise awareness of just who we are and what we do.

Rohde R.E. Exactly What is Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)? Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. April 2020, Volume 2, Issue 4, p.10. https://joom.ag/mlYC

As we continue to watch in real time the coronavirus outbreak, there is another virus
spreading perhaps at an even faster and more dangerous pace – the virus of misinformation. The sensational nature of an infectious disease outbreak combined with the ease of spreading information leads to rumors and misinformation, and this has certainly been true with the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARSCoV2).

Novel outbreaks from any microbe should always be of public health concern. The risk from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including whether and how well it spreads between people, the severity of resulting illness, and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (e.g., vaccine or antivirals).

Rohde, R.E. Invited interview by Career Purpose by TIAA – 5 essential lessons to prepare you for tenure review. February 12, 2020. https://careerpurpose.com/industries/education/academic-tenure

As an infectious disease and clinical microbiology expert, Prof. Rodney E. Rohde of the Texas State University College of Health Professions receives daily calls from the media, government and university officials, public health and professional organizations and the public asking him about the emerging novel coronavirus outbreak. Here, he shares some of the most common questions and his responses.

Walking Through the Microscopic Valley of Death - Commentary on medical device surfaces and the dangerous pathogens that can colonize or inhabit them.

Novel Coronavirus Lab Protocols and Responses: Next Steps

Should You Be Worried about the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak?
Outbreaks of new (novel) virus infections among people are always public health concerns. Public health officials, scientists, researchers, media and the public should take this current 2019-nCoV outbreak seriously and monitor it closely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to individuals is dependent on exposure. To date, some people will have an increased risk of infection, for example… Show more

Should You Be Worried about the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak?
Outbreaks of new (novel) virus infections among people are always public health concerns. Public health officials, scientists, researchers, media and the public should take this current 2019-nCoV outbreak seriously and monitor it closely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to individuals is dependent on exposure. To date, some people will have an increased risk of infection, for example healthcare workers caring for 2019-nCoV patients and other close contacts, as well as immunocompromised individuals. For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV is considered low at this time. Show less

Rohde R.E. A Microbial Home for the Holidays? Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. January 2020, Volume 2, Issue 1.

Public Health Thank You Day is November 25, 2019. #PHTYD10 is a time to recognize public health professionals who work tirelessly every day to protect the health of all people and all communities. Public health professionals are dedicated to reducing infant mortality, developing and distributing vaccines, tracking infectious outbreaks, curbing antimicrobial resistance, preparing us for natural disasters and so much more.

Public Health Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology are closely related fields. The skills and training for each overlap, as do career trajectories in these sectors. Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, currently a Professor and Chair of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program at Texas State University, spends his time in clinical microbiology and medical laboratory education, but previously spent many years working in Public Health Microbiology - what he calls a “hybrid” profession. He shares his experience… Show more

Public Health Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology are closely related fields. The skills and training for each overlap, as do career trajectories in these sectors. Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, currently a Professor and Chair of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program at Texas State University, spends his time in clinical microbiology and medical laboratory education, but previously spent many years working in Public Health Microbiology - what he calls a “hybrid” profession. He shares his experience in government and public health and his favorite project, along with some advice. Show less

Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Healthcare Hygiene Magazine. November 2019.

The Influenza Hospitalization Network (IHSN or FluSurv-NET) was evaluated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidelines for evaluating a public health surveillance system. The IHSN was evaluated for usefulness, simplicity, flexibility, data quality, acceptability, sensitivity, predictive value positive, representativeness, timeliness, and stability. The IHSN was found to utilize a broad range of sources for influenza surveillance which can be openly accessed via the… Show more

The Influenza Hospitalization Network (IHSN or FluSurv-NET) was evaluated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidelines for evaluating a public health surveillance system. The IHSN was evaluated for usefulness, simplicity, flexibility, data quality, acceptability, sensitivity, predictive value positive, representativeness, timeliness, and stability. The IHSN was found to utilize a broad range of sources for influenza surveillance which can be openly accessed via the CDC's "FluView" online application. The IHSN is highly adaptable with its capacity to accommodate additional data sources when needed. The over-inclusiveness of different laboratory diagnostic methodologies was found to be detrimental to the overall data quality of the IHSN in the form of variable sensitivity and positive predictive value measures amongst the CDC's acceptable testing methods. Overall, the IHSN is a very robust system that allows for timely access to influenza data by public health officials. However, the inclusivity of the IHSN causes it to fall short when considering the importance of consistency in data collection practices. The IHSN fails to take into account several factors that could either artificially increase, or decrease case counts. We recommend the IHSN integrate a more streamlined and reliable data collection process and standardize its expectations with all of its reporting sites. Show less

Rohde R.E. Sitting at the Intersection of Microbes and Surfaces. Invited Monthly Columnist for “Under the Microscope” – Health Hygiene Magazine. October 2019. https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/monthly-issues/

Bats infected with rabies are now the leading cause of rabies deaths among people in the United States, while rabid dogs that American travelers encounter overseas are the second-leading cause of rabies fatalities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in a June 12, 2019 Vital Signs report. Rabid bats have been responsible for roughly 70% of rabies deaths in the U.S. since 1960. Despite this, in the age of Ebola outbreaks, resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases… Show more

Bats infected with rabies are now the leading cause of rabies deaths among people in the United States, while rabid dogs that American travelers encounter overseas are the second-leading cause of rabies fatalities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in a June 12, 2019 Vital Signs report. Rabid bats have been responsible for roughly 70% of rabies deaths in the U.S. since 1960. Despite this, in the age of Ebola outbreaks, resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, and raging antimicrobial-resistant microbes, rabies often flies under our microbial radar, despite being a major public health threat. Show less

Doctoral programs are preparing experts to lead diagnostic management teams at hospitals, with promising early results. Nearly every adult American has been the victim of at least one diagnostic error, according to a 2015 report by the National Academy of Medicine. At least one in seven times a diagnostic error is made, the patient is treated ineffectively as a result, often with severe consequences. A recent study from Johns Hopkins points to medical error – the largest component of which is… Show more

Doctoral programs are preparing experts to lead diagnostic management teams at hospitals, with promising early results. Nearly every adult American has been the victim of at least one diagnostic error, according to a 2015 report by the National Academy of Medicine. At least one in seven times a diagnostic error is made, the patient is treated ineffectively as a result, often with severe consequences. A recent study from Johns Hopkins points to medical error – the largest component of which is diagnostic error – as the third leading cause of death in America.

A promising plan to improve the situation involves a unique kind of medical collaboration. Show less

Written by leaders in medicine and veterinary medicine, this compact volume is a practical, up-to-date resource for information and recommendations on potential and actual rabies cases. Useful for medical, veterinary, and public health personnel, it helps you quickly determine the correct steps to follow regarding a possible rabies exposure, including assessing the situation, determining diagnosis and treatment options, and answering questions from patients and clients about the virus. Clear… Show more

Written by leaders in medicine and veterinary medicine, this compact volume is a practical, up-to-date resource for information and recommendations on potential and actual rabies cases. Useful for medical, veterinary, and public health personnel, it helps you quickly determine the correct steps to follow regarding a possible rabies exposure, including assessing the situation, determining diagnosis and treatment options, and answering questions from patients and clients about the virus. Clear, concise explanations and illustrations ensure that you have the most up-to-date information available at your fingertips in time-sensitive situations.

Show less

Invited interview by Dr. Tara C. Smith @aetiology for @SELFmagazine #rabies education article!

What most people do not understand about the environment is that there is an entire world of unseen microbes hiding on all surfaces. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbial life can exist, at least for some time, on almost any surface known to humankind. Likewise, many of us do not realize that “clean does not necessarily mean microbial clean.” In other words, the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces has complex scientific nuances. One must understand the type of surface with respect to… Show more

What most people do not understand about the environment is that there is an entire world of unseen microbes hiding on all surfaces. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbial life can exist, at least for some time, on almost any surface known to humankind. Likewise, many of us do not realize that “clean does not necessarily mean microbial clean.” In other words, the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces has complex scientific nuances. One must understand the type of surface with respect to the proper choice of disinfectant. In the fight against infections, material compatibility is critically important. The healthcare environment uses any number of materials (e.g. plastics, vinyl, metals, etc.) for equipment, surfaces, and devices that are regularly cleaned with disinfectants. Harsh disinfectants may cause equipment damage, unnecessary costs, and contribute to poor clinical outcomes. We must work to develop standards, resources, and education to overcome key challenges in surface cleaning and disinfection. Our call to action must be a new paradigm on the upstream challenges (design and choice of surfaces) as well as the downstream options (cleaning and disinfection of surfaces) for overall patient safety and health. Show less

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex issue that has currently reached a dangerous tipping point. The nature of this critical public health and healthcare problem has two primary components: 1) the emergence of diverse AMR pathogens, and 2) the alarming rapid spread of these AMR pathogens in a wide array of geographic and densely populated regions. The adaptation and survival of these dangerous pathogens is associated with ongoing and increasing natural selective pressure as it relates to… Show more

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex issue that has currently reached a dangerous tipping point. The nature of this critical public health and healthcare problem has two primary components: 1) the emergence of diverse AMR pathogens, and 2) the alarming rapid spread of these AMR pathogens in a wide array of geographic and densely populated regions. The adaptation and survival of these dangerous pathogens is associated with ongoing and increasing natural selective pressure as it relates to human, animal, and environmental health settings. The primary drivers for this mounting trend of AMRs include, but not limited to, changing patterns of pathogen epidemiology, emergence of drug-resistance genes, animal husbandry, antimicrobial use / stewardship, population mobility, increased rates of human urbanization, and the movement and ease of products and goods across global settings. Simply stated, AMR pathogens are incredibly versatile biological entities at adaptation to every natural (and unnatural) niche known and make themselves at home regardless of where they land. Understanding AMRs is critical to curbing their ongoing global drift. For this special article, we will address the emergence and spread of AMR pathogens from a medical laboratory and public health lens, and how this new threat affects the ever-evolving relationship between hosts and pathogens. Show less

Milholland, M.T., I. Castro-Arellano*, G. Suzán, G.E. Garcia-Peña, T.E. Lee Jr., R.E. Rohde, et al. EcoHealth (2018): pp. 1-46.

Rodents represent 42% of the world’s mammalian biodiversity encompassing 2,277 species populating every continent (except Antarctica) and are reservoir hosts for a wide diversity of disease agents. Thus, knowing the identity, diversity, host–pathogen relationships, and geographic distribution of rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens, is essential for predicting and… Show more

Milholland, M.T., I. Castro-Arellano*, G. Suzán, G.E. Garcia-Peña, T.E. Lee Jr., R.E. Rohde, et al. EcoHealth (2018): pp. 1-46.

Rodents represent 42% of the world’s mammalian biodiversity encompassing 2,277 species populating every continent (except Antarctica) and are reservoir hosts for a wide diversity of disease agents. Thus, knowing the identity, diversity, host–pathogen relationships, and geographic distribution of rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens, is essential for predicting and mitigating zoonotic disease outbreaks. Hantaviruses are hosted by numerous rodent reservoirs. However, the diversity of rodents harboring hantaviruses is likely unknown because research is biased toward specific reservoir hosts and viruses. An up-to-date, systematic review covering all known rodent hosts is lacking. Herein, we document gaps in our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of rodent species that host hantaviruses. Of the currently recognized 681 cricetid, 730 murid, 61 nesomyid, and 278 sciurid species, we determined that 11.3, 2.1, 1.6, and 1.1%, respectively, have known associations with hantaviruses. The diversity of hantaviruses hosted by rodents and their distribution among host species supports a reassessment of the paradigm that each virus is associated with a single-host species. We examine these host–virus associations on a global taxonomic and geographical scale with emphasis on the rodent host diversity and distribution. Previous reviews have been centered on the viruses and not the mammalian hosts. Thus, we provide a perspective not previously addressed. Show less

April 22-28, 2018 is Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (#MLPW) in the United States. This week provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for clinical laboratory personnel. MLPW is coordinated by a collaborative committee with representatives from 17 national clinical laboratory organizations, including the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). Now in its 43rd year, it is important to reflect on the important… Show more

April 22-28, 2018 is Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (#MLPW) in the United States. This week provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for clinical laboratory personnel. MLPW is coordinated by a collaborative committee with representatives from 17 national clinical laboratory organizations, including the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). Now in its 43rd year, it is important to reflect on the important history of MLPW. This year we are encouraging patients and professionals to tell us how a medical laboratory professional has impacted patient care in the laboratory? “The Road to Understanding Campaign” was developed by the ASCLS Promotion of the Profession Committee and aims to share these stories and encourage other laboratory professionals to be strong patient advocates. Here is the story of the Stigall family, and their experience with a Medical Laboratory Professional. Show less

In times of tragedy, people have to band together to work towards one cause. In this article, a medical laboratory professional describes her experiences during a recent catastrophic event in Las Vegas that required coordination from not just front-line healthcare workers but also the medical laboratory professionals that helped to coordinate the treatment of the victims. The rigorous training of the laboratory professionals meant that even amidst all of the chaos, everyone was receiving the… Show more

In times of tragedy, people have to band together to work towards one cause. In this article, a medical laboratory professional describes her experiences during a recent catastrophic event in Las Vegas that required coordination from not just front-line healthcare workers but also the medical laboratory professionals that helped to coordinate the treatment of the victims. The rigorous training of the laboratory professionals meant that even amidst all of the chaos, everyone was receiving the appropriate treatments, and reducing the ‘guess work’ for the front-line workers.

Most mass casualty stories are told from the victims’ point of view, or the first responders, doctors, medics, nurses, or police.

This is not that story. Show less

Seasonal flu is a serious, highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. In the United States, approximately five to 20 percent of individuals get the flu each year; more than 200,000 are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die from flu-related complications.1 So why do people not vaccinate against flu or for that matter other infectious diseases? In my personal and professional experience, I believe it has to do with a breakdown in health literacy and science… Show more

Seasonal flu is a serious, highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. In the United States, approximately five to 20 percent of individuals get the flu each year; more than 200,000 are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die from flu-related complications.1 So why do people not vaccinate against flu or for that matter other infectious diseases? In my personal and professional experience, I believe it has to do with a breakdown in health literacy and science communication. Individuals have varying levels of awareness/attitudes toward the flu vaccine, side effects, and overall effectiveness.2 Importantly, many people usually report misconceptions about the side effects of the flu vaccine, which can perpetuate fear and create vaccine avoidance. Unfortunately, on more accounts than I care to say, my colleagues, students, friends, and others report a reluctance to be vaccinated due to concerns that the vaccine would either cause illness or be ineffective at preventing flu. This commentary / editorial will attempt to explain in common terms what really happens when one gets the flu (and other) vaccines.3 Show less

Approximately 1 in 25 patients hospitalized in a U.S. acute care hospital has at least one healthcare–associated infection (HAI), adding up to over 700,000 infections annually. Pneumonia and surgical-site infection are the most common infection types, with Clostridium difficile as the most common pathogen. The World Health Organization has stated that by 2050, antibiotic resistance and HAIs will have a global economic impact of up to 100 trillion USD and 10 million deaths. If this prediction… Show more

Approximately 1 in 25 patients hospitalized in a U.S. acute care hospital has at least one healthcare–associated infection (HAI), adding up to over 700,000 infections annually. Pneumonia and surgical-site infection are the most common infection types, with Clostridium difficile as the most common pathogen. The World Health Organization has stated that by 2050, antibiotic resistance and HAIs will have a global economic impact of up to 100 trillion USD and 10 million deaths. If this prediction comes true, that will be one new antibiotic resistant infection every three seconds and it will exceed cancer mortality. Antibiotic resistance infections already kill more than HIV and H1N1 influenza combined. Infection control and antimicrobial stewardship are identified as two key measures that can address this global problem. This commentary will discuss how the pharmacy and the medical laboratory professional may be considered the Super Stewards of antibiotic stewardship. Show less

Current methods for addressing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are mostly focused on the biological causes, emphasizing the adherence to prevention guidelines, collecting data and disseminating the results, as well as identifying emerging threats from infectious organisms. However, there is a need for tools that can help organizations to implement interventions in ways that maximize the benefits while minimizing the impact upon efficient operations. This research extends… Show more

Current methods for addressing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are mostly focused on the biological causes, emphasizing the adherence to prevention guidelines, collecting data and disseminating the results, as well as identifying emerging threats from infectious organisms. However, there is a need for tools that can help organizations to implement interventions in ways that maximize the benefits while minimizing the impact upon efficient operations. This research extends the current methods for addressing CAUTIs to a new level beyond the current state of practice by introducing a new discrete-event simulation model for system assessment and determination of the clinical efficacy of CAUTI preventive interventions. The simulation model provides a platform where proposed clinical interventions can be studied and analyzed, giving an idea on possible expectations before clinical research is conducted, saving time, money and minimizing risks. The computational results provide useful insights into patient service management for CAUTI prevention and show that operational factors such as the nurse:bed ratio, catheter daily removal chance, and late maintenance risk have a significant impact in the intensive care unit (ICU) CAUTI rate.

Keywords: Simulation, Healthcare associated infections, process improvement, catheter, HAI, CAUTI Show less

Superbugs (or multidrug-resistant pathogens) are being spread, as our treatment choices diminish. Diagnostic tests to identify the pathogen(s) responsible for an infection can improve a patient’s recovery and reduce the spread of superbugs in our hospital systems worldwide, as can a sterile healthcare environment. At the TedX Texas State University Conference on November 5, 2016, Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, a clinical microbiologist and professor at Texas State University, discussed the reality of… Show more

Superbugs (or multidrug-resistant pathogens) are being spread, as our treatment choices diminish. Diagnostic tests to identify the pathogen(s) responsible for an infection can improve a patient’s recovery and reduce the spread of superbugs in our hospital systems worldwide, as can a sterile healthcare environment. At the TedX Texas State University Conference on November 5, 2016, Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, a clinical microbiologist and professor at Texas State University, discussed the reality of superbugs in healthcare systems, and the important role of hygiene specialists and medical laboratory professionals in combatting these superbugs. Show less

All warm-blooded animals can contract rabies, particularly mammals. A viral disease of the central nervous system, rabies is spread between animals, including humans, when saliva containing the virus enters an opening in the skin. This is typically achieved through the bite of a rabid animal, but transmission can also occur when infected saliva enters through mucous membranes or a break in the skin.

There are various factors that determine the potential of different species to transmit… Show more

All warm-blooded animals can contract rabies, particularly mammals. A viral disease of the central nervous system, rabies is spread between animals, including humans, when saliva containing the virus enters an opening in the skin. This is typically achieved through the bite of a rabid animal, but transmission can also occur when infected saliva enters through mucous membranes or a break in the skin.

There are various factors that determine the potential of different species to transmit rabies. There are also unique considerations pertaining to bats as potential transmitters of the disease. Show less

To commemorate Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 24-30), laboratory accreditor COLA recently commissioned an article, titled The Hidden Profession that Saves Lives Every Day, for LabTestingMatters.org, a community for laboratorians, allied health professionals and patients to exchange ideas and experiences demonstrating the importance of quality laboratory medicine. The new piece is a continuation of a popular 2014 article, The Hidden Profession that Saves Lives.

Editorial: April 24, 2016 marks the kick-off of National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (#MLPW #LabWeek #Lab4Life). But, I often wonder if my friends, family, the general public, and even my other healthcare colleagues understand what it is we do and why we matter to your health.

A little over two years ago, I wrote an article for Elsevier Connect entitled “The Hidden Profession that Saves Lives.” The article details my journey as a microbiologist and molecular epidemiologist who discovered the sometimes unknown profession of a medical laboratorian. I was overwhelmed with the viral response (over 250,000 views!) that the article generated, not only with my colleagues, but with the general public who typically do not see us as first line responders in their healthcare… Show more

A little over two years ago, I wrote an article for Elsevier Connect entitled “The Hidden Profession that Saves Lives.” The article details my journey as a microbiologist and molecular epidemiologist who discovered the sometimes unknown profession of a medical laboratorian. I was overwhelmed with the viral response (over 250,000 views!) that the article generated, not only with my colleagues, but with the general public who typically do not see us as first line responders in their healthcare experience. I tried to encapsulate the very essence of what our profession is by discussing how one can become a medical laboratorian and exactly what it is that we do in our job and career. The article discusses the different routes to become a medical laboratory technician (MLT), a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) and/or a specialist in a particular area (e.g. SM is a specialist in microbiology). I encourage you to revisit the article and share it with your friends, family, colleagues, and social networks to assist us and empower our profession to become transparent to everyone. Show less

Housekeepers (Environmental Services) Are Your SSI Foot Soldiers - A dedicated cleaning crew is the first line of defense against infections. A multimodal approach to infection control and prevention is critical in this war. Clean, does not necessarily mean "microbially clean (or sterile)!"

HAIs are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. On any given day approximately 1 of every 25 inpatients in U.S. acute care hospitals has at least one
healthcare–associated infection (HAIs). Each year, these infections are responsible for $28 to $33 billion dollars in avoidable healthcare expenses. In our first article of this FOCUS series, readers will be updated on the current state of affairs in regards to HAIs with respect to (1) vulnerable populations, (2)… Show more

HAIs are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. On any given day approximately 1 of every 25 inpatients in U.S. acute care hospitals has at least one
healthcare–associated infection (HAIs). Each year, these infections are responsible for $28 to $33 billion dollars in avoidable healthcare expenses. In our first article of this FOCUS series, readers will be updated on the current state of affairs in regards to HAIs with respect to (1) vulnerable populations, (2) diverse healthcare sites and levels of healthcare workers, (3) increased pathogens and their resistance, and (4) responses by our national healthcare
strategy to reduce HAIs. Show less

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the role of the healthcare environment in its contribution to acquisition and transfer of
microorganisms.
2. Discuss the role the environment has related to the risk of infection and illness in both patient and healthcare worker populations.
3. Summarize recently published scientific evidence related to transmission of microbes from
environmental surfaces including textiles.
4. Explore laundering practices and procedures of healthcare textiles… Show more

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the role of the healthcare environment in its contribution to acquisition and transfer of
microorganisms.
2. Discuss the role the environment has related to the risk of infection and illness in both patient and healthcare worker populations.
3. Summarize recently published scientific evidence related to transmission of microbes from
environmental surfaces including textiles.
4. Explore laundering practices and procedures of healthcare textiles and uniforms.
5. Discuss new technologies and programs that can address reducing risk associated with contaminated environmental surfaces. Show less

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss the role of federal influences on state-level HAI program initiatives and reporting activities.
2. Describe the progression of state-level initiatives to reduce HAIs from 2004 to the current date.
3. Describe core provisions of state HAI reporting laws: surveillance, collection system, healthcare
settings subject to the laws, types of infections reported, public reporting requirements, and
advisory committee structure.
4. Identify healthcare… Show more

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss the role of federal influences on state-level HAI program initiatives and reporting activities.
2. Describe the progression of state-level initiatives to reduce HAIs from 2004 to the current date.
3. Describe core provisions of state HAI reporting laws: surveillance, collection system, healthcare
settings subject to the laws, types of infections reported, public reporting requirements, and
advisory committee structure.
4. Identify healthcare worker infection and illness reporting mandates. Show less

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain how vulnerable populations, current healthcare delivery, and emerging pathogens have
contributed to an increase in healthcare-associated infections.
2. Compare and contrast pathogens that occur in persons with HIV/AIDS, persons with cancer, and
persons undergoing transplants.
3. Identify ways that community-based healthcare delivery may increase risk of HAIs.
4. Discuss the role of antibiotic overuse and international travel in the development… Show more

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain how vulnerable populations, current healthcare delivery, and emerging pathogens have
contributed to an increase in healthcare-associated infections.
2. Compare and contrast pathogens that occur in persons with HIV/AIDS, persons with cancer, and
persons undergoing transplants.
3. Identify ways that community-based healthcare delivery may increase risk of HAIs.
4. Discuss the role of antibiotic overuse and international travel in the development of emerging
pathogens.
5. Plan activities that are effective in preventing HAIs. Show less

Two socially motivated behavioral interventions can effectively reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by primary care physicians, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Infection Control.tips spoke with the principal author about the rationale for the interventions and the implications of the study findings. Infection Control.tips also spoke with an independent expert who affirms the effectiveness of the approach and offers additional… Show more

Two socially motivated behavioral interventions can effectively reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by primary care physicians, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Infection Control.tips spoke with the principal author about the rationale for the interventions and the implications of the study findings. Infection Control.tips also spoke with an independent expert who affirms the effectiveness of the approach and offers additional advice. Show less

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal commonly found in polymicrobial biofilms with
Staphylococcus aureus. Given the increasing drug resistance in Staphylococci, we explored
combination therapy with teicoplanin and bacteriophage type 92 (Siphoviridae) on the survival and antibiotic tolerance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and S. epidermidis to teicoplanin
and bacteriophage in 48-h pure and mixed culture biofilms. The combination of teicoplanin and… Show more

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal commonly found in polymicrobial biofilms with
Staphylococcus aureus. Given the increasing drug resistance in Staphylococci, we explored
combination therapy with teicoplanin and bacteriophage type 92 (Siphoviridae) on the survival and antibiotic tolerance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and S. epidermidis to teicoplanin
and bacteriophage in 48-h pure and mixed culture biofilms. The combination of teicoplanin and bacteriophage was more effective against MRSA, but not S. epidermidis monocultures, than the use of either teicoplanin or phage alone. In polymicrobial biofilms, however, MRSA acquired increased susceptibility to phage infection and S. epidermidis acquired increased tolerance to teicoplanin, as well as increased fitness. The results demonstrate bacteriophage alone was more effective against MRSA and S. epidermidis in polymicrobial biofilms compared to the combination of bacteriophage and teicoplanin. Show less

Vector-borne diseases are defined primarily by how they are spread. While many insects and arachnids can spread a diverse variety of microbes (bacteria, virus, protozoa, etc.), the mosquito is particularly notorious for its efficient spread of blood borne agents. Currently, a “new” (not really) arbovirus known as Zika has made the headlines in the U.S. On January 11, 2016, Texas health officials confirmed the latest case of imported Zika in one patient who recently traveled to Latin America and… Show more

Vector-borne diseases are defined primarily by how they are spread. While many insects and arachnids can spread a diverse variety of microbes (bacteria, virus, protozoa, etc.), the mosquito is particularly notorious for its efficient spread of blood borne agents. Currently, a “new” (not really) arbovirus known as Zika has made the headlines in the U.S. On January 11, 2016, Texas health officials confirmed the latest case of imported Zika in one patient who recently traveled to Latin America and subsequently exhibited characteristic symptoms including fever, rash and joint pain. Areas of Texas, like in some other states in the southern U.S., are home to two species of Aedes mosquitoes capable of transmitting Zika; however, there are no known cases of local transmission of the disease so far in the U.S. mainland. Zika follows a long history of other mosquito transmitted viruses, like dengue, West Nile virus, and chikungunya. Show less

Background: More people in the US now die from Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than from HIV/AIDS. Often acquired in healthcare facilities or during healthcare procedures, the extremely high incidence of MRSA infections and the dangerously low levels of literacy regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public are on a collision course. Traditional medical approaches to infection control and the conventional attitude healthcare practitioners adopt toward… Show more

Background: More people in the US now die from Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than from HIV/AIDS. Often acquired in healthcare facilities or during healthcare procedures, the extremely high incidence of MRSA infections and the dangerously low levels of literacy regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public are on a collision course. Traditional medical approaches to infection control and the conventional attitude healthcare practitioners adopt toward public education are no longer adequate to avoid this collision. I conducted a study with MRSA survivors using constructivist theory, semi-structured face-to-face and phone interviews which allowed participants to tell their stories so their experiences could deepen our understanding of this crucial health issue.

Significance: This study underscores the critical importance of educational programs for patients, and improved continuing education for healthcare providers. Five specific results of this study can reduce the vacuum that currently exists between the knowledge and information available to healthcare professionals, and how that information is conveyed to the public. These points include: 1) a common model of MRSA patients’ learning and adaptation; 2) the self-directed nature of adult learning; 3) the focus on general MRSA information, care and prevention, and antibiotic resistance; 4) the interconnected nature of adaptation; and, 5) the need for a consistent step by step plan to deal with MRSA provided at the time of diagnosis. Show less

ABSTRACT
Methods:
A total of 88 swab samples were collected from plinths and other equipment and plated onto mannitol salt agar (MSA). Suspected S. aureus colonies were confirmed by Staphyloslide latex testing. S. aureus isolates were plated to HardyCHROM agar to identify MRSA. VITEK antibiotic susceptibility testing confirmed MRSA isolates.

Results:
Forty-seven samples showed growth (47/88, 53%), and 7 tested positive for S. aureus (7/47, 15%). Of those 7, one demonstrated… Show more

ABSTRACT
Methods:
A total of 88 swab samples were collected from plinths and other equipment and plated onto mannitol salt agar (MSA). Suspected S. aureus colonies were confirmed by Staphyloslide latex testing. S. aureus isolates were plated to HardyCHROM agar to identify MRSA. VITEK antibiotic susceptibility testing confirmed MRSA isolates.

Results:
Forty-seven samples showed growth (47/88, 53%), and 7 tested positive for S. aureus (7/47, 15%). Of those 7, one demonstrated oxacillin resistance and was confirmed as MRSA (1/7, 2%). Remaining samples grew other species of Staphylococcus and gram-negative bacilli.

Discussion:
Given high classroom utilization, staphylococci environmental prevalence would be expected. However, the presence of MRSA was unexpected. Results demonstrate the potential for easily transmissible and potentially harmful organisms to be present in multi-use classrooms utilized by health professions students where frequent skin-to-skin contact occurs. Strict, routine cleaning of plinths and other equipment is imperative in reducing exposure risk.

Prevalence of Staphylococcus, including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, in a Physical Therapy Education Facility. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286996408_Prevalence_of_Staphylococcus_including_Methicillin-Resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus_in_a_Physical_Therapy_Education_Facility [accessed Dec 29, 2015]. 1st author - P. Dhagat Show less

Rabies is a viral zoonosis affecting the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals. Transmission occurs when saliva containing the rabies virus is introduced into an opening in the skin, usually via the bite of a rabid animal. Though rare, transmission could occur through infected saliva contacting mucous membranes or a scratch or other break in the skin. Despite its severity, there is still much the public and even health professionals may not know about rabies.

The path to tenure is a journey that is often filled with anxiety, nuance, politics, and other mixed signals. Here, I share my thoughts and tips about making tenure. What could possibly go wrong on the maddening 6-year interview?

What is a mentor? Are there ways to establish a true mentor-mentee relationship? For me, it’s always been about the relationships I build with people – my students, my family, colleagues, and friends.

Texas professor says the role of a facility’s environmental services (ES) team in infection control is an obvious but overlooked one in healthcare settings.

When your doctor orders lab tests, are they performed and analyzed by licensed medical laboratorians? If you live in the United States, chances are the answer is no. Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and medical laboratory technicians (MLT) are licensed in just 12 states.

I've taught hundreds of students in my 20+ years as a college and university professor. I also have a daughter who just started her first semester in college, and a son who will be joining her in a couple of years.

In reflecting on my experiences, I came up with some pointers that I truly believe will help you succeed. These are tried and true. I have uttered them millions of times to a wide array of students, including my own children.

I often think "everyone knows this stuff" –… Show more

I've taught hundreds of students in my 20+ years as a college and university professor. I also have a daughter who just started her first semester in college, and a son who will be joining her in a couple of years.

In reflecting on my experiences, I came up with some pointers that I truly believe will help you succeed. These are tried and true. I have uttered them millions of times to a wide array of students, including my own children.

I often think "everyone knows this stuff" – but many times that is not the case. So brace yourself; you may find this makes you yawn. Yet so many people do not do these simple steps to succeed in college. Show less

ASCLS is proud to announce that Dr. James Griffith and Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, two highly respected laboratory scientists specializing in the fields of infectious disease and public health, have composed an article that we hope will dispel some myths and confusion reported during the recent media frenzy about the Ebola virus. This article is being published as a supplement to the ASCLS journal Clinical Laboratory Science and being made available to everyone. ASCLS and the Editorial Board of… Show more

ASCLS is proud to announce that Dr. James Griffith and Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, two highly respected laboratory scientists specializing in the fields of infectious disease and public health, have composed an article that we hope will dispel some myths and confusion reported during the recent media frenzy about the Ebola virus. This article is being published as a supplement to the ASCLS journal Clinical Laboratory Science and being made available to everyone. ASCLS and the Editorial Board of Clinical Laboratory Science felt that it was important that all of our members have the right information with which to help the public, patients and loved ones who look to us for the answers. Show less

Bacteriophage infection and antibiotics used individually to reduce biofilm mass often result in the emergence of significant levels of phage and antibiotic resistant cells. In contrast, combination therapy in Escherichia coli biofilms employing T4 phage and tobramycin resulted in greater than 99% and 39% reduction in antibiotic and phage resistant cells, respectively. In P. aeruginosa biofilms, combination therapy resulted in a 60% and 99% reduction in antibiotic and PB-1 phage resistant… Show more

Bacteriophage infection and antibiotics used individually to reduce biofilm mass often result in the emergence of significant levels of phage and antibiotic resistant cells. In contrast, combination therapy in Escherichia coli biofilms employing T4 phage and tobramycin resulted in greater than 99% and 39% reduction in antibiotic and phage resistant cells, respectively. In P. aeruginosa biofilms, combination therapy resulted in a 60% and 99% reduction in antibiotic and PB-1 phage resistant cells, respectively. Although the combined treatment resulted in greater reduction of E. coli CFUs compared to the use of antibiotic alone, infection of P. aeruginosa biofilms with PB-1 in the presence of tobramycin was only as effective in the reduction of CFUs as the use of antibiotic alone. The study demonstrated phage infection in combination with tobramycin can significantly reduce the emergence of antibiotic and phage resistant cells in both E. coli and P. aeruginosa biofilms, however, a reduction in biomass was dependent on the phage-host system. Show less

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs),in the past decade, are responsible for about 4.5 HAIs for every 100 hospital admissions in the US, with the overall cost to hospitals ranging from $35.7 billion to $45 billion. Worldwide, the incidence is about 10.1 percent. Embedded and woven among this troubling global epidemic is the perfect storm of not using a multimodal approach in the war against HAIs. A major weapon in that war is the enlightened hospital in which environmental services is no… Show more

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs),in the past decade, are responsible for about 4.5 HAIs for every 100 hospital admissions in the US, with the overall cost to hospitals ranging from $35.7 billion to $45 billion. Worldwide, the incidence is about 10.1 percent. Embedded and woven among this troubling global epidemic is the perfect storm of not using a multimodal approach in the war against HAIs. A major weapon in that war is the enlightened hospital in which environmental services is no longer considered among healthcare's lowliest of activities, carried out by a group of virtually invisible staff members who are at the bottom of the hospital totem poll. Rather, they are first-line-of-defense specialists whose training has included learning best practices for effective infection prevention, on-going in-service education and effective hygiene management in patient rooms and all other areas of the hospital. Show less

How science and the law intersect for clinical diagnoses and surveillance of healthcare associated infections such as MRSA infections.

After attending this presentation, attendees will have a greater appreciation and understanding of the bacterial communities associated with human remains and how this information has the potential to be used to make estimates of a minimum Postmortem Interval (PMImin).
This presentation will impact the forensic science bacterial communities associated with human remains, their postmortem community changes, and variation in such changes among epinecrotic communities taken from different… Show more

After attending this presentation, attendees will have a greater appreciation and understanding of the bacterial communities associated with human remains and how this information has the potential to be used to make estimates of a minimum Postmortem Interval (PMImin).
This presentation will impact the forensic science bacterial communities associated with human remains, their postmortem community changes, and variation in such changes among epinecrotic communities taken from different areas of a decomposing body. Show less

After attending this presentation, attendees will have a better understanding of the similarities and differences in microbiomes associated with swine and human remains. Swine (Sus scrofa L.) are often used as a model for humans in forensic research.
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by determining if vertebrates of different species represent feasible models for human microbial decomposition research.

After attending this presentation, attendees will gain a better understanding of the role played by bacteria and insects during the human decomposition process and how bacterial succession associated with human cadavers can be used for estimating the human Postmortem Interval (PMImin). In addition, attendees will also be updated on recent metagenomics approaches developed for the estimation of bacterial community structure from human cadavers.

This presentation will impact the forensic… Show more

After attending this presentation, attendees will gain a better understanding of the role played by bacteria and insects during the human decomposition process and how bacterial succession associated with human cadavers can be used for estimating the human Postmortem Interval (PMImin). In addition, attendees will also be updated on recent metagenomics approaches developed for the estimation of bacterial community structure from human cadavers.

This presentation will impact the forensic science on bacterial succession alone. This presentation will also provide detailed information on key bacterial groups whose changes in relative abundance may potentially be modeled for the predictionof time since death. Show less

Medical Laboratory Science (also called Clinical Laboratory Science) is one of the most under-recognized health professions – with excellent job prospects. This article is a "one-stop shop" for any and all information about this profession. Please share it with others in the profession, and with others considering the profession as well as high school advisors, college advisors, etc....Thanks, Dr. R.

Mycoplasma genitalium has been the focus of basic scientific and synthetic biology research as the organism with the smallest genome of all known human bacterial pathogens. As a sexually transmitted organism, substantial clinical and epidemiologic evidence now exists that warrant further consideration of M. genitalium as a priority for diagnostic testing.This article aims to concisely address the rationale for continued investigation of M. genitalium as a sexually transmitted infection (STI)… Show more

Mycoplasma genitalium has been the focus of basic scientific and synthetic biology research as the organism with the smallest genome of all known human bacterial pathogens. As a sexually transmitted organism, substantial clinical and epidemiologic evidence now exists that warrant further consideration of M. genitalium as a priority for diagnostic testing.This article aims to concisely address the rationale for continued investigation of M. genitalium as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and for the implementation of diagnostic testing paradigms in the USA. Show less

To earn continuing education (PACE) credit, see the instructions on page 61 of this CLS Focus Series in the Winter 2014 Issue of Clin Lab Sci 2014;27(1);61.

Invited Focus Series - R. Rohde (editor)
More than 300 million curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired each year worldwide making these infections a significant public health and economic concern. At least 25 urogenital and reproductive tract diseases have infectious etiologies that are transmitted through sexual contact and the CDC conservatively estimates approximately 110 million STIs exist among American men and women. The roughly 20 million incident cases in the USA… Show more

Invited Focus Series - R. Rohde (editor)
More than 300 million curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired each year worldwide making these infections a significant public health and economic concern. At least 25 urogenital and reproductive tract diseases have infectious etiologies that are transmitted through sexual contact and the CDC conservatively estimates approximately 110 million STIs exist among American men and women. The roughly 20 million incident cases in the USA alone have direct
costs for treatment that top more than $15 billion.

This FOCUS series of articles has been dedicated to three organisms that creatively illustrate the spectrum and importance of molecular diagnostics (MDx) for STIs: Mycoplasma genitalium, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and Trichomonas vaginalis. Show less

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and currently is the only vaccine-preventable etiology of urogenital disease. As an STI, HPV is an independent risk factor for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and is associated with anogenital and orolabial warts. Importantly, infection with HPV is a necessary factor in the development of squamous cervical neoplasia despite the fact that most infections and dysplastic abnormalities
will not progress… Show more

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and currently is the only vaccine-preventable etiology of urogenital disease. As an STI, HPV is an independent risk factor for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and is associated with anogenital and orolabial warts. Importantly, infection with HPV is a necessary factor in the development of squamous cervical neoplasia despite the fact that most infections and dysplastic abnormalities
will not progress to malignant transformation. Over 100 genotypes of HPV have been identified of which less than 50% are transmitted sexually. This article aims to concisely summarize the current
guidelines for managing cervical cancer screening, and addresses how HPV test results are incorporated into the clinical decision making algorithms. Show less

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize staphylococcal carriage, possibly including methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and conversion rates in nursing students across clinical semester rotations and to describe risk factors.
DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal cohort design with six times of measurement. Data collected August 2010 to May 2012. IRB (2010F5693)
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Screening for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA identification;
confirmation and antibiotic… Show more

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize staphylococcal carriage, possibly including methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and conversion rates in nursing students across clinical semester rotations and to describe risk factors.
DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal cohort design with six times of measurement. Data collected August 2010 to May 2012. IRB (2010F5693)
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Screening for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA identification;
confirmation and antibiotic susceptibility by Vitek 2; self-administered questionnaires delineating
demographics and risk factors; panel logistic regression models by Stata version 13
RESULTS: MRSA colonization did not increase. S. aureus incidence was 17.7 – 26.4%. Staphylococcal species incidence other than S. aureus increased (9.2 – 82.3%). The following odds ratio (OR) associations were found to be statistically significant: boil or skin infections with S. aureus (OR = 2.94, p < .01), working or volunteering in a healthcare facility odds with species
other than S. aureus (OR = 4.41, p < .01) and gym and sports facilities odds with S. other (OR 2.45, p < .01). The most frequently occurring species at Wave 5 was S. hominis (21 isolates) while the most frequently occurring species at Wave 6 was S. epidermidis (25 isolates).
CONCLUSIONS: MRSA colonization did not increase during longitudinal study. S. aureus colonization remained fairly stable throughout the study (17 – 26%). Species colonization with non S. aureus species (e.g. S. hominis, S. epidermis, S. haemolyticus) increased significantly (9.2 – 82.3%) during clinical rotations. Knowledge of infection control and compliance may have contributed to an absence of MRSA colonization; however, the colonization by other staphylococci has been shown to be a risk factor for MRSA acquisition. Show less

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. The 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) report that American
women between the ages of 14 and 49 are infected with T. vaginalis with a prevalence of approximately 3% - greater than that of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. In this article, we concisely discuss the current knowledge on T. vaginalis epidemiology and the developing trends in diagnosis of this… Show more

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. The 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) report that American
women between the ages of 14 and 49 are infected with T. vaginalis with a prevalence of approximately 3% - greater than that of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. In this article, we concisely discuss the current knowledge on T. vaginalis epidemiology and the developing trends in diagnosis of this incredibly prevalent STI. Show less

Recently, I came across a very interesting article here by Andy Greenspon, a PhD student in applied physics at Harvard: "9 things you should consider before embarking on a PhD." I thought Andy gave some fantastic advice, and it reminded me of a promise I made to myself while working on my PhD. In the wee hours of the night poring over coursework, informed consent documents, data analysis, and the umpteenth version of my dissertation, I vowed that if I ever finished my PhD, I would try to help… Show more

Recently, I came across a very interesting article here by Andy Greenspon, a PhD student in applied physics at Harvard: "9 things you should consider before embarking on a PhD." I thought Andy gave some fantastic advice, and it reminded me of a promise I made to myself while working on my PhD. In the wee hours of the night poring over coursework, informed consent documents, data analysis, and the umpteenth version of my dissertation, I vowed that if I ever finished my PhD, I would try to help others through the quicksand of a graduate school journey. Show less

Objective—To obtain epidemiological information on rabies in bats in Texas.
Design—Epidemiological study.
Sample—Laboratory reports of bats that had been submitted for rabies testing in Texas
from 2001 through 2010.
Procedures—Laboratory reports were reviewed to obtain information on seasonality of
rabies in bats; distribution, species, and rabies virus variants of rabid bats; and human and
domestic animal exposures to rabid bats.
Results—The number of rabid bats during the… Show more

Objective—To obtain epidemiological information on rabies in bats in Texas.
Design—Epidemiological study.
Sample—Laboratory reports of bats that had been submitted for rabies testing in Texas
from 2001 through 2010.
Procedures—Laboratory reports were reviewed to obtain information on seasonality of
rabies in bats; distribution, species, and rabies virus variants of rabid bats; and human and
domestic animal exposures to rabid bats.
Results—The number of rabid bats during the first 5 years of the study period remained
static until a > 2-fold increase in 2006; during the subsequent 4 years, the annual number
of rabid bats remained at this higher level, including a peak in 2008. The highest proportions
of rabid bats were seen in late summer and early fall. The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida
brasiliensis) was the most often affected species. Additionally, the rabies virus variant associated
with the Brazilian free-tailed bat was the most prevalent. The percentage of rabid
bats from urban areas was greater than that from rural areas. Dogs and cats were the domestic
animals most frequently exposed to rabid bats. Most humans exposed to rabid bats
did not report a known bite or scratch. The highest numbers of humans exposed to rabid
bats were males between 11 to 15 years old.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Information on the epidemiology of rabies in bats
and the epidemiology of exposures to rabid bats may be useful in planning and implementing
local, state, and national rabies control and prevention campaigns and in encouraging
rabies vaccination of domestic animals. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;243:1129–1137) Show less

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) are a significant source of HAIs. Recently, significant attention has been given to community acquired strains of these infections. However, HAIs with these pathogens remain a significant cause of infections and associated costs to the health system.

Texas State feature story on R. Rohde HAI research.

Abstract. Objective and Participants: In summer 2011, the investigators examined the prevalence of MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, and other staphylococci found on exercise equipment in a higher education athletic facility. Methods: One hundred twenty-five samples were collected from various exercise equipment and areas within the facility. Samples were screened for staphylococci using standard microbiological techniques. Confirmation of S. aureus was conducted by DRYSPOT Staphytect Plus™. MRSA… Show more

Abstract. Objective and Participants: In summer 2011, the investigators examined the prevalence of MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, and other staphylococci found on exercise equipment in a higher education athletic facility. Methods: One hundred twenty-five samples were collected from various exercise equipment and areas within the facility. Samples were screened for staphylococci using standard microbiological techniques. Confirmation of S. aureus was conducted by DRYSPOT Staphytect Plus™. MRSA isolates were confirmed with CHROMagarTM; VITEK® 2 antibiotic susceptibility testing and PFGE characterized all MRSA isolates. Results: Prevalence of MRSA was 6%, S. aureus 38%, other staphylococci 52% and negative or no growth 4%. Prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA was highest on free weights and mats, respectively. PFGE characterized all MRSA isolates as HA-MRSA (USA100). Conclusions: Potential exposure risks from staphylococci exist in college athletic facilities. Compliance (disinfection) and creative health education may reduce the transmission of pathogens, environmental load, and incidence of colonization or infection in college students. Show less

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize MRSA and staphylococci carriage and conversion rates in nursing students across clinical semester rotations and to describe risk factors. RESULTS: MRSA colonization did not increase. S. aureus prevalence (20-26%). Species prevalence other than S. aureus increased (9.2% to 80%). The following associations were found to be statistically significant:
boil or skin infection odds with S. aureus (OR= 2.43, p< .05), working or volunteering in healthcare… Show more

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize MRSA and staphylococci carriage and conversion rates in nursing students across clinical semester rotations and to describe risk factors. RESULTS: MRSA colonization did not increase. S. aureus prevalence (20-26%). Species prevalence other than S. aureus increased (9.2% to 80%). The following associations were found to be statistically significant:
boil or skin infection odds with S. aureus (OR= 2.43, p< .05), working or volunteering in healthcare facility odds with S. other (OR= 2.72, p < .05) and gym and sports activities odds with S. other (OR= 4.98, p < .001). Show less

Rabies virus diagnostic and typing methods differ among which virus populations can be detected and segregated. Lyssavirus genera may differ so greatly that serological testing alone may be sufficient to differentiate between them. Unique monoclonal antibody patterns among rabies viruses have also been used effectively for many of the terrestrial animal reservoirs for rabies in the U.S. However, genetic typing, especially nucleotide sequence analysis, allows the most precise method to… Show more

Rabies virus diagnostic and typing methods differ among which virus populations can be detected and segregated. Lyssavirus genera may differ so greatly that serological testing alone may be sufficient to differentiate between them. Unique monoclonal antibody patterns among rabies viruses have also been used effectively for many of the terrestrial animal reservoirs for rabies in the U.S. However, genetic typing, especially nucleotide sequence analysis, allows the most precise method to distinguish virus type and permits the greatest utility in molecular epidemiology studies. Show less

More people in the US now die from Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than from HIV/AIDS. Often acquired in healthcare facilities or during healthcare procedures, the high incidence of MRSA infections and the dangerously low levels of literacy regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public are on a collision course. Traditional medical approaches to infection control and the conventional attitude healthcare practitioners adopt toward public and medical… Show more

More people in the US now die from Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than from HIV/AIDS. Often acquired in healthcare facilities or during healthcare procedures, the high incidence of MRSA infections and the dangerously low levels of literacy regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public are on a collision course. Traditional medical approaches to infection control and the conventional attitude healthcare practitioners adopt toward public and medical education are no longer adequate to avoid this collision. This study helps us understand how people acquire and process new information and then adapt behaviours based on learning. Show less

This timely book covers the need to know clinical practices for all those involved in molecular laboratory science. As molecular testing becomes further integrated into the clinical diagnostic laboratory, molecular assays and platforms continue to be validated and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This chapter is focused on the currently available, FDA-approved molecular diagnostic assays for sexually transmitted pathogens including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae… Show more

This timely book covers the need to know clinical practices for all those involved in molecular laboratory science. As molecular testing becomes further integrated into the clinical diagnostic laboratory, molecular assays and platforms continue to be validated and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This chapter is focused on the currently available, FDA-approved molecular diagnostic assays for sexually transmitted pathogens including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, herpes simplex viruses I and II, and human papillomavirus; viral respiratory pathogens including influenza and respiratory syncytial
virus; and Staphylococcus aureus and hepatitis B virus Show less

Emerging technology and new instruments entering the modern
clinical lab, means existing training plans may need periodic
changes. Five “rules” can help managers and trainers write
effective learning objectives and training plans.

There is currently available, without a physician’s order, an array of laboratory tests that appears to have no diagnostic value whatsoever. The procedures are advertised as being helpful in the diagnosis of very serious diseases and states of malnutrition. A careful review of the methods of testing, the principles, interpretation of the test results, and the credentials of the individuals performing these tests is revealing. Much of this testing is performed and interpreted by alternative… Show more

There is currently available, without a physician’s order, an array of laboratory tests that appears to have no diagnostic value whatsoever. The procedures are advertised as being helpful in the diagnosis of very serious diseases and states of malnutrition. A careful review of the methods of testing, the principles, interpretation of the test results, and the credentials of the individuals performing these tests is revealing. Much of this testing is performed and interpreted by alternative medicine practitioners with little or no background in science. Their “doctorate” degrees are often granted through a correspondence alternative medicine course or a short course that requires actual attendance. Medical Laboratory Technicians and Medical Technologists have worked very hard through accredited educational programs to acquire the knowledge and skill that allows them to competently practice their profession. Given their educational background, it seems very unlikely that alternative medicine practitioners are qualified to perform any moderately complex or highly complex laboratory test. A review of the dubious advertising claims for some of these tests supports this idea. Show less

The primary goals of this project was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure the self-efficacy of undergraduate chemistry students (ChemSE) and to determine the relationship between ChemSE and an established measure of generalized self-efficacy (GSE). Two hundred and fifty undergraduate students were solicited with 57 respondents of variable demographics. The results indicated the instrument was reliable at measuring general self-efficacy (GSE) and chemistry self-efficacy (CSE)… Show more

The primary goals of this project was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure the self-efficacy of undergraduate chemistry students (ChemSE) and to determine the relationship between ChemSE and an established measure of generalized self-efficacy (GSE). Two hundred and fifty undergraduate students were solicited with 57 respondents of variable demographics. The results indicated the instrument was reliable at measuring general self-efficacy (GSE) and chemistry self-efficacy (CSE) at α = 0.881 and α = 0.821 respectively. In a second study, 101 undergraduate chemistry students responded to the survey at the beginning of their semester. The data from this study indicated a significant relationship (t = 5.36, p<.001) between GSE and ChemSE with medium effect size (R2 = .24). In this study, ethnicity and gender were not significantly related to GSE or ChemSE. Show less

The shortage of clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) has been well-documented in the healthcare environment. This growing concern only becomes more critical as we enter the retiring baby boomer era in our society. Concomitantly, the problem of addressing how university CLS programs recruit and retain faculty to teach and satisfy research agendas is not being studied. These two problems, if allowed to collide, will provide a “perfect storm” with serious implications for an ongoing shortage of… Show more

The shortage of clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) has been well-documented in the healthcare environment. This growing concern only becomes more critical as we enter the retiring baby boomer era in our society. Concomitantly, the problem of addressing how university CLS programs recruit and retain faculty to teach and satisfy research agendas is not being studied. These two problems, if allowed to collide, will provide a “perfect storm” with serious implications for an ongoing shortage of personnel and overall quality for the profession. CLS faculty, in the university setting, must typically satisfy the three tenets for tenure and promotion – teaching, scholarship, and service. While teaching and service will always be critical, scholarship (research) is an area of expertise that must be “taught” and mentored for future CLS faculty to be successful in the very real arena of “publish or perish.” This article provides a commentary with specific details associated with our experience in offering an evolving dedicated CLS clinical research course to purposively “grow our own” students in the art of conducting successful research. It offers a flexible template for adapting or incorporating a lecture and laboratory course to address theoretical and practical knowledge in the realm of clinical research. Additionally, a discussion of other research mentoring activities in our program will be outlined. The long term goal (and hope) of these program objectives is to build a culture of research for current faculty and for CLS graduates. This paper provides an approach to embedding these research ideals in all CLS graduates and, importantly, an intentional attempt to create a mindset for a possible career as a future CLS faculty member who can be successful in both the university and clinical environment. Show less

More people in the US now die from Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than from HIV/AIDS. Often acquired in healthcare facilities or during healthcare procedures, the extremely high incidence of MRSA infections and the dangerously low levels of literacy regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public are on a collision course. Traditional medical approaches to infection control and the conventional attitude healthcare practitioners adopt toward public education… Show more

More people in the US now die from Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than from HIV/AIDS. Often acquired in healthcare facilities or during healthcare procedures, the extremely high incidence of MRSA infections and the dangerously low levels of literacy regarding antibiotic resistance in the general public are on a collision course. Traditional medical approaches to infection control and the conventional attitude healthcare practitioners adopt toward public education are no longer adequate to avoid this collision. This study helps us understand how people acquire and process new information and then adapt behaviours based on learning. This study underscores the critical importance of educational programs for patients, and improved continuing education for healthcare providers. Five specific results of this study can reduce the vacuum that currently exists between the knowledge and information available to healthcare professionals, and how that information is conveyed to the public. These points include: 1) a common model of MRSA learning and adaptation; 2) the self-directed nature of adult learning; 3) the focus on general MRSA information, care and prevention, and antibiotic resistance; 4) the interconnected nature of adaptation; and, 5) the need for a consistent step by step plan to deal with MRSA provided at the time of diagnosis. Show less

Objective—To obtain epidemiologic information on rabies in skunks in Texas.
Design—Epidemiologic study.
Sample Population—Reports of skunks that had been submitted for rabies testing in
Texas from 1953 through 2007.
Procedures—Reports were reviewed to obtain information on seasonality of rabies in skunks,
seasonality of human and domestic animal exposure to rabid skunks, commonly reported clinical signs
of rabies in skunks, domestic animals frequently exposed to rabid… Show more

Objective—To obtain epidemiologic information on rabies in skunks in Texas.
Design—Epidemiologic study.
Sample Population—Reports of skunks that had been submitted for rabies testing in
Texas from 1953 through 2007.
Procedures—Reports were reviewed to obtain information on seasonality of rabies in skunks,
seasonality of human and domestic animal exposure to rabid skunks, commonly reported clinical signs
of rabies in skunks, domestic animals frequently exposed to rabid skunks, common routes of exposure
of domestic animals to rabid skunks, disposition of domestic animals exposed to rabid skunks, age
and gender of humans exposed to rabid skunks, and usual routes of exposure of humans to rabid
skunks.
Results—On a yearly basis, the number of rabid skunks peaked in 1961, 1979, and 2001. On a monthly
basis, the number of rabid skunks peaked in March and April. Over the study period, the percentage
of rabid skunks from urban areas increased and the percentage from rural areas decreased. Striped
skunks were the most common species. Dogs and cats were the domestic animals most frequently
exposed to rabid skunks. On average, the highest numbers of humans exposed to rabid skunks were
between 36 and 50 years old. Most humans were exposed through means other than a bite. Typical
behaviors of rabid skunks were entering a dog pen, appearing outside during daytime, and attacking
pets.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Information on the epidemiology of rabies in skunks may be
useful in planning and implementing local, state, and national rabies control and
prevention campaigns. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;234:xxx–xxx)
Show less

Background: HPS is a rare cardiopulmonary disease caused by strains of the Hantavirus. Human infections occur by inhalation of aerosolized infectious particles from excreta of infected rodents. HPS was first discovered after a 1993 epidemic in the southwestern United States. This study provides a descriptive analysis of all the Texas cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) for which data are available. Results: 32 cases of HPS were reported to the TDSHS from… Show more

Background: HPS is a rare cardiopulmonary disease caused by strains of the Hantavirus. Human infections occur by inhalation of aerosolized infectious particles from excreta of infected rodents. HPS was first discovered after a 1993 epidemic in the southwestern United States. This study provides a descriptive analysis of all the Texas cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) for which data are available. Results: 32 cases of HPS were reported to the TDSHS from 1993 through 2006. Of the 32 cases, 26 were due to Sin Nombre Virus (SNV) and 4 were due to Bayou virus. Mortality was 37.5% overall (42% for SNV and 0% for Bayou).All cases were admitted to the hospital. The incidence of clinical characteristics of HPS cases were as follows: Fever ≥101°F (83%), nausea and/or vomiting (94%), diarrhea (67%), syncope and/or confusion (67%), headache (86%), hematocrit ≥55% (30%), platelets ≤100,000 (93%), creatinine ≥1.5 (60%), leukocyte count ≥10,000(81%) and ≥20,000 (48%), bands ≥10 (85%), oxygen saturation ≤90% (100%), presence of immunodeficiency disease (3%). Compared to the population (pop) in Texas, males and those aged 20-64 years were overrepresented (63% of cases vs. 49% of pop, and 84% of cases vs. 54% of pop respectively). West Texas and coastal regions were also overrepresented. 85% of HPS cases reported seeing rodents or rodent excreta in or around their home. 85% of HPS cases were initially seen by a physician and dismissed to home, later to be admitted to the hospital. Conclusions: HPS is a rare but serious illness that may be misdiagnosed. Middle aged males are more commonly affected. The distribution of HPS is mainly along the coast and in west Texas. Common laboratory features include thrombocytopenia, bandemia, and hematocrit ≥55. Respiratory symptoms are often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. Most cases were associated with seeing rodents or rodent excreta at home. Show less

Of the 203 participants who were screened, 60 (29.6%) carried S. aureus. Univariate analysis found that only hospitalization in the past 12 months was significantly associated with the risk of being a S. aureus carrier (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.28-7.03). Of the 60 participants that carried S. aureus, 15 were identified as MRSA. This relates to a 7.4% MRSA carriage rate among generally healthy university students. Univariate analysis found that hospitalization in the past 12 months (OR = 4.2, 95% CI… Show more

Of the 203 participants who were screened, 60 (29.6%) carried S. aureus. Univariate analysis found that only hospitalization in the past 12 months was significantly associated with the risk of being a S. aureus carrier (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.28-7.03). Of the 60 participants that carried S. aureus, 15 were identified as MRSA. This relates to a 7.4% MRSA carriage rate among generally healthy university students. Univariate analysis found that hospitalization in the past 12 months (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.29-13.36) and recent skin infection (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.07-18.24) were significantly associated with the risk of being a MRSA carrier. No unique antibiotic susceptibility patterns were identified with the MRSA isolates. The carriage rate of S. aureus is consistent with similar studies. MRSA carriage in this university study appears high as compared to the general population. Although this study did not confirm a variety of risk factors for carriage of MRSA previously identified by others, university healthcare personnel should be aware of the changing epidemiology of MRSA and preventive measures needed to avoid outbreaks. Show less

The ability of a clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) to perform molecular diagnostic testing has become critical to the profession. Knowledge of methodology associated with detection of pathogens and inherited genetic disorders is imperative for the current and future CLS. CLS programs in the US teach human genetics and molecular diagnostics in various components and formats. Integrating these sometimes expensive methods into the curriculum can be challenging. This article provides a commentary… Show more

The ability of a clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) to perform molecular diagnostic testing has become critical to the profession. Knowledge of methodology associated with detection of pathogens and inherited genetic disorders is imperative for the current and future CLS. CLS programs in the US teach human genetics and molecular diagnostics in various components and formats. Integrating these sometimes expensive methods into the curriculum can be challenging. This article provides a commentary with specific details associated with our experience in designing a dedicated CLS molecular diagnostics course. It offers a flexible template for incorporating a lecture and laboratory course to address theoretical and practical knowledge in this dynamic area of the laboratory. Show less

I spent the first decade of my post-graduate work in the trenches of public health at the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS) (formerly the Texas Department of Health) Bureau of Laboratories and Zoonosis Control Division (ZCD). It was a tremendous experience that allowed me to hone my skills as a clinical microbiologist and would prove beneficial to my eventual career switch in 2002 to the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program at Texas State University – San Marcos. I had… Show more

I spent the first decade of my post-graduate work in the trenches of public health at the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS) (formerly the Texas Department of Health) Bureau of Laboratories and Zoonosis Control Division (ZCD). It was a tremendous experience that allowed me to hone my skills as a clinical microbiologist and would prove beneficial to my eventual career switch in 2002 to the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program at Texas State University – San Marcos. I had the
fantastic opportunity at the DSHS to keep one career “foot” in the laboratory and the other “foot” in the world of molecular epidemiology.
After I contributed a rabies review article in 2007 (Rohde, 2007),
ASCLS Today offered me the opportunity to share my experiences with the statewide public health campaign and how it remains embedded in my CLS career today. Show less

Feature story on R. Rohde interests (MRSA and Rabies).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a health issue in corrections. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) partnered with an urban jail to investigate risk factors for MRSA carriage. This study assessed nasal carriage rate and strainrelatedness of MRSA among recently booked inmates. Of 403 inmates, 115 (28.5%) carried S. aureus; 18 were MRSA-positive (4.5%). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis identified 10 MRSA
strains. Previous health care exposures… Show more

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a health issue in corrections. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) partnered with an urban jail to investigate risk factors for MRSA carriage. This study assessed nasal carriage rate and strainrelatedness of MRSA among recently booked inmates. Of 403 inmates, 115 (28.5%) carried S. aureus; 18 were MRSA-positive (4.5%). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis identified 10 MRSA
strains. Previous health care exposures and history of skin infection were more strongly associated with carriage risk than previous correctional facility exposure, although none of these exposures was statistically significant after adjustment. Our data suggest that MRSA is endemic in persons coming into correctional facilities. Correctional health care workers should be prepared to treat MRSA infections that arise from exposures before incarceration. Show less

Louis Pasteur’s ghost must still grimace at the devastation rabies inflicts on the global population. It still kills – globally and in our backyards. Rabies is the 11th cause of infectious disease deaths in humans worldwide (Haupt, 1999). Yet, it has been my career experience while chasing this virus, that the general citizen in the United States (US) doesn’t consider the threat as “immediate” as perhaps they should. I hope to bring a renewed “face” to this old disease with respect to… Show more

Louis Pasteur’s ghost must still grimace at the devastation rabies inflicts on the global population. It still kills – globally and in our backyards. Rabies is the 11th cause of infectious disease deaths in humans worldwide (Haupt, 1999). Yet, it has been my career experience while chasing this virus, that the general citizen in the United States (US) doesn’t consider the threat as “immediate” as perhaps they should. I hope to bring a renewed “face” to this old disease with respect to epidemiology, testing, and prevention/treatment. Show less

Rabies was undetected in terrestrial wildlife of northern Arizona until 2001, when rabies was diagnosed in 19 rabid skunks in Flagstaff. Laboratory analyses showed causative rabies viruses associated with bats, which indicated cross-species transmission of unprecedented magnitude. Public health infrastructure must be maintained to address emerging zoonotic diseases.

These clinical guidelines cover the management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Texas jails. Sections of this publication include: introduction; colonization; transmission; screening and surveillance; diagnosis; reporting; treatment of skin and soft tissue infections; infection control -- primary prevention -- efforts to prevent MRSA infections; infection control -- secondary prevention -- efforts to contain detected MRSA infections; outbreak management; “What To Do… Show more

These clinical guidelines cover the management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Texas jails. Sections of this publication include: introduction; colonization; transmission; screening and surveillance; diagnosis; reporting; treatment of skin and soft tissue infections; infection control -- primary prevention -- efforts to prevent MRSA infections; infection control -- secondary prevention -- efforts to contain detected MRSA infections; outbreak management; “What To Do About Your Skin Infection”; “Que Debes Hacer Tocante Tu Infeccion De La Piel?”; “Taking Care of Wounds That Are Draining Or Have Not Healed”; “Como cuidar las heridas que drenan o no han sanado”; and “National Commission on Correctional Health Care Position Statement.” Show less

To evaluate the effectiveness of intervention efforts to halt 2 wildlife rabies epizootics from 1995 through 2003, including 9 oral rabies vaccination campaigns for coyotes and 8 oral rabies vaccination
campaigns for gray foxes. The expansion of both epizootics was halted as a result of the vaccine bait program. The number of laboratory-confirmed rabid animals attributable to the domestic dog-coyote rabies virus variant in south Texas declined to 0, whereas the number of laboratory-confirmed… Show more

To evaluate the effectiveness of intervention efforts to halt 2 wildlife rabies epizootics from 1995 through 2003, including 9 oral rabies vaccination campaigns for coyotes and 8 oral rabies vaccination
campaigns for gray foxes. The expansion of both epizootics was halted as a result of the vaccine bait program. The number of laboratory-confirmed rabid animals attributable to the domestic dog-coyote rabies virus variant in south Texas declined to 0, whereas the number of laboratory-confirmed rabid animals attributable to the
Texas fox rabies virus variant in west-central Texas decreased.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Data indicated that oral rabies vaccination resulted in protective immunity in a sufficient percentage of the target wildlife population to preclude propagation of the disease and provided an effective means of controlling rabies in these species. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;227:785–792) Show less

Bats submitted to the Texas Department of Health (1996–2000) were speciated and tested for rabies virus antigen by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Antigenic analysis of rabies virus–positive specimens was performed with monoclonal antibodies against the nucleoprotein of the virus; atypical or unexpected results were confirmed by genetic analysis of nucleoprotein sequence.

The National Laboratory Training Network (NLTN), in cooperation
with faculty from academia, federal and state public health laboratories, and industry, developed and presented a Public Health Series Course on molecular diagnostics in the clinical laboratory for scientists working in state health laboratories. The course content included theory and application of selected nucleic acid-based procedures. Participants reported that their understanding of and ability to perform molecular… Show more

The National Laboratory Training Network (NLTN), in cooperation
with faculty from academia, federal and state public health laboratories, and industry, developed and presented a Public Health Series Course on molecular diagnostics in the clinical laboratory for scientists working in state health laboratories. The course content included theory and application of selected nucleic acid-based procedures. Participants reported that their understanding of and ability to perform molecular diagnostic assays improved as a result of
attending the course. Information from the course was used to make changes in the operations of the participants’home laboratories. Show less

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this exercise, the participant should
be able to
• recognize the critical importance of obtaining an animal
exposure history from any patient with an unknown cause
of a progressive encephalopathy.
• list the type of samples to be collected for a suspected
rabies case in a human and the guidelines for collection of
these samples.
• describe the different laboratory methods (human and
animal tests) used to diagnose rabies… Show more

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this exercise, the participant should
be able to
• recognize the critical importance of obtaining an animal
exposure history from any patient with an unknown cause
of a progressive encephalopathy.
• list the type of samples to be collected for a suspected
rabies case in a human and the guidelines for collection of
these samples.
• describe the different laboratory methods (human and
animal tests) used to diagnose rabies infections, including
the standard test.
• understand the value of a reference laboratory (regional or
national) for identification of rabies isolates. Show less

Background: Alternatives to antigenic typing are needed for epidemiologic surveys of the rabies virus associated with translocated coyotes and foxes, especially in areas where a closely related rabies virus is transmitted by striped skunks.
Objective: We developed and evaluated two enzyme based typing methods for rabies virus. The products of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) or the nucleoprotein gene were hybridized to type specific probes and detected by enzyme… Show more

Background: Alternatives to antigenic typing are needed for epidemiologic surveys of the rabies virus associated with translocated coyotes and foxes, especially in areas where a closely related rabies virus is transmitted by striped skunks.
Objective: We developed and evaluated two enzyme based typing methods for rabies virus. The products of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) or the nucleoprotein gene were hybridized to type specific probes and detected by enzyme assay after immobilization on microtiter plates.
Study design: We tested RT/PCR products of 27 rabies isolates by two different DNA enzyme immunoassays (DEIA) and evaluated the quality of the results from the corresponding nucleotide sequence or the samples.
Results: Using a set of two probes, one of the DEIAs correctly identified 26/27 samples as variants of rabies virus associated with either skunks, foxes, or coyotes. The identity of one fox rabies sample was unresolved by this assay. The second DEIA correctly identified 24/27 samples as variants of rabies virus associated with either skunks, foxes, or coyotes. This assay did not resolve the identity of two fox rabies samples, and misidentified one fox rabies sample as a skunk rabies sample.
Conclusions: DEIA can be used for epidemiologic studies or variants of rabies virus associated with skunks, foxes, and coyotes. Both DEIA methods were effective when typing probes recognized changes at a minimum or two nucleotide positions between variants, but only one assay method was sufficiently stringent to detect a single base pair mismatch. The inherent mutability of RNA viruses must be considered when designing and evaluating typing methods.

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On Nov. 4, 1997, a yearling gelded horse in Fort Worth died
while exhibiting signs of encephalitis. The brain was subsequently
submitted to the Texas Department of Health's (TDH) Bureau
of Laboratories where it tested positive for rabies. End of a typical
"rabid animal in Texas" slory, right? Actually, it was just the
beginning.

Background: Texas is in the midst of two independent epizootics of rabies. involving coyotes and domestic dogs in southern Texas and grey foxes in west central Texas. The domestic dog!coyote (DDC) and grey fox (TF) rabies virus variants cannot be differentiated by antigenic typing with currently available monoclonal antibodies. These two variants also cannot be distinguished from a third variant, Sonora dog (SD) rabies, that is not enzootic in Texas, but occasionally occurs in animals along the… Show more

Background: Texas is in the midst of two independent epizootics of rabies. involving coyotes and domestic dogs in southern Texas and grey foxes in west central Texas. The domestic dog!coyote (DDC) and grey fox (TF) rabies virus variants cannot be differentiated by antigenic typing with currently available monoclonal antibodies. These two variants also cannot be distinguished from a third variant, Sonora dog (SD) rabies, that is not enzootic in Texas, but occasionally occurs in animals along the western border with Mexico.
Objectives: To determine method for the differentiation of the DDC, TF and SD variants, which is essential for
epidemiologic monitoring of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP), a program instituted to control rabies in coyotes and grey foxes in Texas.
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Viral RNA synthesis, total protein synthesis and the synthesis of specific poliovirus proteins were determined in the presence of synergistic (low) and antagonistic (high) combinations of PAP and guanidine. Viral proteins 3AB and 3C were blocked in the presence of either guanidine or PAP at low concentration. In the presence of the synergistic drug combination, proteins 2C, 2A and 3A, in addition to proteins 3AB and 3C failed to appear. Also, proteins 3D, VPO and VP3 were present in reduced… Show more

Viral RNA synthesis, total protein synthesis and the synthesis of specific poliovirus proteins were determined in the presence of synergistic (low) and antagonistic (high) combinations of PAP and guanidine. Viral proteins 3AB and 3C were blocked in the presence of either guanidine or PAP at low concentration. In the presence of the synergistic drug combination, proteins 2C, 2A and 3A, in addition to proteins 3AB and 3C failed to appear. Also, proteins 3D, VPO and VP3 were present in reduced amount. The mechanism of action of the synergistic drug combination may involve an inhibition in the processing of poliovirus polyprotein P1 which is the precursor protein for essential capsid endproducts VPO and VP3.

Viral RNA synthesis was stimulated in the presence of either PAP or guanidine alone at low concentration and in the presence of the synergistic drug combination. This may be due to the absence of protein VPg (3B) which has a regulatory function on RNA synthesis. In contrast, viral RNA synthesis was inhibited almost completely in the presence of either PAP or guanidine at high concentration and in the presence of the antagon~sticd rug combination. The antagonistic drug combination resulted in the failure to synthesize plus-strand RNA from the parental RF-RNA which led to a complete absence of viral protein synthesis.

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Rohde R.E. COVID-19 Testing: Is it time to jump into the pool? Invited American Society of Microbiology article. July 20, 2020. https://asm.org/Articles/2020/July/COVID-19-Pool-Testing-Is-It-Time-to-Jump-In

Did you know that medical laboratory professionals provide roughly 13 billion laboratory tests each year? Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity affecting Americans, and it drives about two-thirds of all medical decisions made by doctors and other health care professionals from cradle to grave.1 Each one of us, in our own way, is an expert. Collectively, we are the heartbeat and brain of the health care and public health system. Yet, this expertise often stays buried… Show more

Did you know that medical laboratory professionals provide roughly 13 billion laboratory tests each year? Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity affecting Americans, and it drives about two-thirds of all medical decisions made by doctors and other health care professionals from cradle to grave.1 Each one of us, in our own way, is an expert. Collectively, we are the heartbeat and brain of the health care and public health system. Yet, this expertise often stays buried in the laboratory. We must all find a way to take a bold step forward out of the shadow of the laboratory. We must step into the light where healthcare professionals, the public, and our patients see our expertise!

No one is born an expert. If you want to become a subject matter expert (SME), you have to start somewhere. An SME has a deep knowledge of a specific process, function, or technology (or a combination of all three). These experts are considered an authority on a certain topic—not only educated on the subject but has the capacity to share their knowledge with other interested parties. This information is important to your organization because it gives it a competitive edge. More importantly for us, an SME can provide visibility and awareness.

Rohde R.E. Professional Visibility: Be the Expert! ASCLS Today Volume 36 Number 2 | April 2022. https://ascls.org/professional-visibility-be-the-expert/ Show less