Predictors of Cryptococcus gattii Clinical Presentation and Outcome: An International Study.

Background: Infection by Cryptococcus gattii can lead to pulmonary or central nervous system (CNS) disease, or both. Whether the sites of infection and disease severity are associated with C. gattii species and lineages or with certain underlying medical conditions, or both is unclear.

The epidemiology and healthcare costs of pregnancy-related listeriosis in British Columbia, Canada, 2005-2014.

This study investigated cases of pregnancy-related listeriosis in British Columbia (BC), Canada, from 2005 to 2014. We described all diagnosed cases in pregnant women ( = 15) and neonates ( = 7), estimated the excess healthcare costs associated with listeriosis, and calculated the fraction of stillbirths attributable to listeriosis, and mask cell sizes 1-5 due to data requirements. Pregnant women had a median gestational age of 31 weeks at listeriosis onset (range: 20-39) and on average delivered at a median of 37 weeks gestation (range: 20-40).

Everything but the kitchen sink: The use of multiple hypothesis generation methods to investigate an outbreak of Enteritidis associated with frozen profiteroles and eclairs.

In December 2018, an outbreak of Enteritidis infections was identified in Canada by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). An investigation was initiated to identify the source of the illnesses, which proved challenging and complex. Microbiological hypothesis generation methods included comparisons of isolate sequence data to historical domestic outbreaks and international repositories.

Estimating public health risks of infectious disease events: A Canadian approach to rapid risk assessment.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for timely, evidence-based rapid risk assessments (RRA) of infectious disease events to inform public health action during rapidly evolving situations with high uncertainty. In 2022, the Public Health Agency of Canada established a coordinated approach to public health risk assessment, including a methodology for qualitative RRA of infectious disease threats.

Objective: To describe the RRA methodology and illustrate its use with examples from different infectious hazards of public health concern.

Developing International Classification of Disease code definitions for the study of enteric infection sequelae in Canada.

Background: Enteric infections and their chronic sequelae are a major cause of disability and death. Despite the increasing use of administrative health data in measuring the burden of chronic diseases in the population, there is a lack of validated International Classification of Disease (ICD) code-based case definitions, particularly in the Canadian context. Our objective was to validate ICD code definitions for sequelae of enteric infections in Canada: acute kidney injury (AKI); hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS); thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP); Guillain-Barré syndrome/Miller-Fisher syndrome (GBS/MFS); chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP); ankylosing spondylitis (AS); reactive arthritis; anterior uveitis; Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, erythema nodosum (EN); neonatal listeriosis (NL); and Graves' disease (GD).

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and Effect of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions, British Columbia, Canada.

In British Columbia, Canada, initial growth of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was slower than that reported in other jurisdictions. Delta became the dominant variant (>50% prevalence) within ≈7-13 weeks of first detection in regions within the United Kingdom and United States. In British Columbia, it remained at <10% of weekly incident COVID-19 cases for 13 weeks after first detection on March 21, 2021, eventually reaching dominance after 17 weeks.

Forest Disturbance and Disease: Exploring the Effects of Tree Harvesting Area on sensu lato Infection Risk, Vancouver Island, Canada, 1998-2014.

Background: The disturbance of colonized trees and soil, such as through forestry activities, has been proposed to disperse soil- and tree-inhabiting fungal pathogens. sensu lato is one such pathogen that was detected on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, beginning in 1999 and caused human and animal illness.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine if s.

Patterns of enteric infections in a population-wide cohort study of sequelae, British Columbia, Canada.

We assessed patterns of enteric infections caused by 14 pathogens, in a longitudinal cohort study of sequelae in British Columbia (BC) Canada, 2005-2014. Our population cohort of 5.8 million individuals was followed for an average of 7.

Two-Dose Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccine Effectiveness With Mixed Schedules and Extended Dosing Intervals: Test-Negative Design Studies From British Columbia and Quebec, Canada.

Background: The Canadian coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) immunization strategy deferred second doses and allowed mixed schedules. We compared 2-dose vaccine effectiveness (VE) by vaccine type (mRNA and/or ChAdOx1), interval between doses, and time since second dose in 2 of Canada's larger provinces.

Methods: Two-dose VE against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or hospitalization among adults ≥18 years, including due to Alpha, Gamma, and Delta variants of concern (VOCs), was assessed ≥14 days postvaccination by test-negative design studies separately conducted in British Columbia and Quebec, Canada, between 30 May and 27 November (epi-weeks 22-47) 2021.

Comparative Single-Dose mRNA and ChAdOx1 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, Including Variants of Concern: Test-Negative Design, British Columbia, Canada.

Background: In British Columbia, Canada, most adults 50-69 years old became eligible for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine in April 2021, with chimpanzee adenoviral vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1) restricted to ≥55-year-olds and second doses deferred ≥6 weeks to optimize single-dose coverage.

Methods: Among adults 50-69 years old, single-dose messenger RNA (mRNA) and ChAdOx1 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization, including variant-specific, was assessed by test-negative design between 4 April and 2 October 2021.

Results: Single-dose VE included 11 861 cases and 99 544 controls.

Listeriosis in infants: Prospective surveillance studies in Canada and Switzerland.

Objectives: International data on listeriosis during infancy from large populations are essential to guide evidence-based empiric antibiotic guidelines for sepsis in infancy. We aimed to determine the incidence, clinical manifestations, and outcome of listeriosis in infants <6 months of age in Canada and Switzerland.

Methods: Prospective, active surveillance of listeriosis in infants <6 months of age was conducted through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (May 2015 to April 2017) and the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit (April 2017 to March 2018).

Mental Health and Substance Use Associated with Hospitalization among People with COVID-19: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

This study identified factors associated with hospital admission among people with laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases in British Columbia. The study used data from the BC COVID-19 Cohort, which integrates data on all COVID-19 cases with data on hospitalizations, medical visits, emergency room visits, prescription drugs, chronic conditions and deaths. The analysis included all laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases in British Columbia to 15 January 2021.

Rapid Increase in SARS-CoV-2 P.1 Lineage Leading to Codominance with B.1.1.7 Lineage, British Columbia, Canada, January-April 2021.

Several severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants of concern (VOCs) emerged in late 2020; lineage B.1.1.

Single-dose mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Including Alpha and Gamma Variants: A Test-negative Design in Adults 70 Years and Older in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Randomized-controlled trials of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) included relatively few elderly participants. We assess single-dose mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) in adults ≥ 70 years old in British Columbia, Canada, where second doses were deferred by up to 16 weeks and where a spring 2021 wave uniquely included codominant circulation of Alpha (B.1.

Passive Tick Surveillance and Detection of Species in Ticks from British Columbia, Canada: 2002-2018.

Lyme disease, caused by (s.l.) complex, is the most common vector-borne disease in North America.

MSG07: An International Cohort Study Comparing Epidemiology and Outcomes of Patients With Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii Infections.

Background: Cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii varies with geographic region, populations affected, disease manifestations, and severity of infection, which impact treatment.

Methods: We developed a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with culture-proven cryptococcosis during 1995-2013 from 5 centers in North America and Australia. We compared underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes in patients with C.

O121 outbreak associated with raw milk Gouda-like cheese in British Columbia, Canada, 2018.

Background: In 2018, a Shiga toxin-producing O121 outbreak that affected seven individuals was associated with raw milk Gouda-like cheese produced in British Columbia, Canada.

Objectives: To describe the . O121 outbreak investigation and recommend greater control measures for raw milk Gouda-like cheese.

Determining the long-term health burden and risk of sequelae for 14 foodborne infections in British Columbia, Canada: protocol for a retrospective population-based cohort study.

Introduction: Over one in eight Canadians is affected by a foodborne infection annually; however, the long-term consequences, including the risks and costs of sequelae, are unclear. We aim to estimate the health burden and direct costs of 14 infections commonly transmitted by food, considering the acute illness and subsequent sequelae and mortality, for the population of British Columbia, Canada (~4.7 million).

Measuring the impact of sea surface temperature on the human incidence of Vibrio sp. infection in British Columbia, Canada, 1992-2017.

Background: Vibrio growth in the environment is related to sea surface temperature (SST). The incidence of human Vibrio illness increased sharply in British Columbia (BC) between 2008 and 2015 for unknown reasons, culminating in the largest outbreak of shellfish-associated Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) in Canadian history in 2015. Our objective was to assess the relationship between SST and Vibrio illness in BC, Canada during 1992-2017 and assess the role of SST and other environmental factors in the 2015 Vp outbreak.

Projected local rain events due to climate change and the impacts on waterborne diseases in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Climate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events in many parts of the world. Precipitation extremes have been linked to both outbreaks and sporadic cases of waterborne illness. We have previously shown a link between heavy rain and turbidity to population-level risk of sporadic cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in a major Canadian urban population.

Climate Classification System-Based Determination of Temperate Climate Detection of Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato.

We compared 2 climate classification systems describing georeferenced environmental Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato isolations occurring during 1989-2016. Each system suggests the fungus was isolated in temperate climates before the 1999 outbreak on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. However, the Köppen-Geiger system is more precise and should be used to define climates where pathogens are detected.

Outbreak of O157:H7 Infections Linked to Mechanically Tenderized Beef and the Largest Beef Recall in Canada, 2012.

Contaminated beef is a known vehicle of O157:H7 infection, although more attention is given to the control of O157:H7 in ground, rather than whole-cut, beef products. In September 2012, an investigation was initiated at an Alberta, Canada, beef plant after the detection of O157:H7 in two samples of trim cut from beef originating from this plant. Later in September 2012, Alberta Health Services identified five laboratory-confirmed infections of O157:H7, and case patients reported eating needle-tenderized beef steaks purchased at a store in Edmonton, Alberta, produced with beef from the Alberta plant.

Outbreaks of Norovirus and Acute Gastroenteritis Associated with British Columbia Oysters, 2016-2017.

Two outbreaks of norovirus and acute gastroenteritis took place in Canada between November 2016 and April 2017. Both outbreaks were linked to oysters from British Columbia (BC) coastal waters. This paper describes the multi-agency investigations to identify the source and control the outbreak.