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L A Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to L A Jackson.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Where's the beef? The role of cross-contamination in 4 chain restaurant-associated outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the Pacific Northwest.

BACKGROUND: From March through August 1993, outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 occurred at 4 separate Oregon and Washington steak and salad bar restaurants affiliated with a single national chain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the cause of outbreaks of E coli O157:H7 at 4 chain restaurants. METHODS: Independent case-control studies were performed for each outbreak. Available E coli O157:H7 isolates were subtyped by pulse-field gel electrophoresis and by phage typing. RESULTS: Infection was not associated with beef consumption at any of the restaurants. Implicated foods varied by restaurant but all were items served at the salad bar. Among the salad bar items, no single item was implicated in all outbreaks, and no single item seemed to explain most of the cases at any individual restaurant. Molecular subtyping of bacterial isolates indicated that the first 2 outbreaks, which occurred concurrently, were caused by the same strain, the third outbreak was caused by a unique strain, and the fourth was multiclonal. CONCLUSIONS: Independent events of cross-contamination from beef within the restaurant kitchens, where meats and multiple salad bar items were prepared, were the likely cause of these outbreaks. Meat can be a source of E coli O157:H7 infection even if it is later cooked properly, underscoring the need for meticulous food handling at all stages of preparation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of association between first myocardial infarction and past use of erythromycin, tetracycline, or doxycycline.

To evaluate the association of prior treatment with antibiotics active against Chlamydia pneumoniae with the risk for incident myocardial infarction, we conducted a population-based case-control study. We found that use of erythromycin, tetracycline, or doxycycline during the previous 5 years was not associated with risk for first myocardial infarction. These results suggest little or no association between the use of these antibiotics and the risk for first myocardial infarction in the primary prevention setting.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of an automated pharmacy system and patient registries to recruit HMO enrollees for an influenza campaign.

OBJECTIVE: To develop methods to identify, recruit, and vaccinate HMO enrollees at increased risk for influenza-related complications as part of a comprehensive influenza campaign. SETTING: Group Health Cooperative (GHC) is a large, membership-governed, managed care organization that serves 395,000 members in the Puget Sound area. APPROACH: An automated pharmacy system and patient data registries were used to identify enrollees with chronic illness. Enrollees with chronic illness and all enrollees 65 years of age and older were considered "high-risk" enrollees to be recruited for vaccination. Postcard reminders coupled with a publicity and education campaign were used to recruit high-risk enrollees to special influenza clinics. RESULTS: Our approach identified 2.5% of children (persons < 18 years of age) and 10.5% of adults (persons 18 to 65 years of age) as chronically ill and thus at high risk for influenza-related complications. Most high-risk children were identified through prescriptions for steroids, autonomic inhalers, or both or because they were enrolled in the asthma registry. Most high-risk adults were identified because of prescriptions for steroids, insulin, or oral hypoglycemic agents; because they had received pneumococcal vaccine; or because they were enrolled in the diabetes registry. Influenza coverage rates for all seniors (persons > or = 65 years of age) increased from 34% in 1984 to more than 72% in the 1996-1997 campaign year. Coverage rates were much lower for high-risk children (36%) and adults (46%). CONCLUSIONS: Influenza coverage rates can still be substantially improved for adults younger than 65 years of age and children at high risk for influenza-related complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HIV-positive women living in the metropolitan Toronto area: their experiences and perceptions related to HIV testing. The HIV Women's Study Group.

Forty HIV-positive women from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds were interviewed. Most (90%) did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection prior to knowing their HIV-positive status. The majority (61%) were tested because they developed symptoms, or because someone with whom they were intimate, or their child, tested positive for HIV or became ill. The majority (93%) of the women interviewed indicated that they did not receive both pre- and post-test counselling. The findings from this study suggest that encouraging individuals to be tested if they have engaged in "at risk" activities will not be appropriate for individuals who have no perception of risk, and other strategies to encourage appropriate testing may be needed. This research also suggests that continued emphasis needs to be placed on the counselling process, and that consideration may need to be given to multiple counselling sessions to ensure individuals clearly understand the information provided.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗