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Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with different infectivity, transmission potential, and morbidity change the characteristics of local epidemics and affect vaccine effectiveness. As part of the University of Southern California COVID-19 Pandemic Research Center's efforts to understand, control, and inform local community on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we implemented a SARS-CoV-2 surveillance program among students, employees, and USC Keck Medical Center patients. We present the epidemiology and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants among the population. Methods We used digital droplet reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze in real-time remnant SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive saliva specimens stored at the USC Keck Medicine laboratory between September 2020 and April 2022. Samples were tested for the original strain (A20) and 9 SARS-CoV-2 variants: α(B.1.1.7, Q.1–Q.8), β(B.1.351, B.1.351.2, B.1.351.3), γ(P.1, P.1.1, P.1.2), δ(B.1.617.2), δ+(or δ417N), ε(B.1.427 and B.1.429), η(B.1.525), λ(C.37) and ο(B.1.1.529, ΒΑ.1, BA.2). We reviewed deidentified health information from positive cases including demographics, history of COVID-19 (eg, symptoms, hospitalizations, and repeat infections), and COVID-19 vaccination status. Results We reviewed 1169 cases and determined the variant type of 482 specimens: 77 specimens were original strain, 119 “Delta”, 165 “Omicron”. The original strain was detected during the third and fourth quarters of 2020. The Delta variant appeared during the second quarter of 2021, whereas Omicron appeared in the fourth quarter of 2021. Conclusions Prospectively tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants in a university population and a hospital system, utilizing a low-cost, high-throughput PCR assay, was feasible. Local variant monitoring remains important to inform prevention and control efforts among university and clinical settings.

ObjectiveThis study examined characteristics associated with being unvaccinated among a sample of university staff and faculty prior to university campus reopening for in-person learning in spring-summer 2021.MethodsStaff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an online survey. Survey questions included demographic data (race/ethnicity, age, sex), COVID-19 knowledge and behaviors, employment specific data including division and subdivision (healthcare vs. non-healthcare related division); and self-reported vaccination status. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant characteristics associated with the likelihood of being unvaccinated for COVID-19.ResultsParticipants identifying as Asian and Asian American, Hispanic/Latinx or Multicultural/Other had greater odds of being unvaccinated compared to Non-Hispanic White participants. Other characteristics associated with greater likelihood of being unvaccinated included working as university staff member (vs. faculty), older age, decrease in income, inability to work remotely and not traveling outside of Los Angeles area. Political affiliation as an Independent or as something else were more likely to be unvaccinated compared to participants identifying as Democrat.ConclusionsFindings suggest several factors associated with racial and social disparities may delay the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. This study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to promote vaccination among university staff and faculty.

The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) during and after transfer to a regional aortic center by a rapid transport system.Review of patients with AAS who were transferred by a rapid transport system to a regional aortic center was performed. Data regarding demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, transportation, and hospital course were acquired. Severity of existing comorbidities was determined by the Society for Vascular Surgery Comorbidity Severity Score (SVSCSS). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score assessed physiologic instability on admission. Risk factors associated with system-related (transfer and hospital) mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis.During a recent 18-month period (December 2013-July 2015), 183 patients were transferred by a rapid transport system; 148 (81%) patients were transported by ground and 35 (19%) by air. Median distance traveled was 24 miles (range, 3.6-316 miles); median transport time was 42 minutes (range, 10-144 minutes). Two patients died during transport, one with a type A dissection, the other of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. There were 118 (66%) patients who received operative intervention. Median time to operation was 6 hours. Type B dissections had the longest median time to operation, 45 hours, with system-related mortality of 1.9%; type A dissections had the shortest median time, 3 hours, and a system-related mortality of 16%. Overall, system-related mortality was 15%. On univariate analysis, factors associated with system-related mortality were age ≥65 years (P = .026), coronary artery disease (P = .030), prior myocardial infarction (P = .049), prior coronary revascularization (P = .002), SVSCSS of8 (P .001), abdominal pain (P = .002), systolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg at sending hospital (P = .001), diagnosis of aortic aneurysm (P = .013), systolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg in the intensive care unit (P .001), and APACHE II score10 (P = .004). Distance traveled and transport mode and duration were not associated with increased risk of system-related mortality. Only SVSCSS of8 (odds ratio, 7.73; 95% confidence interval, 2.32-25.8; P = .001) was independently associated with an increase in system-related mortality on multivariate analysis.Implementation of a rapid transport system, regardless of mode or distance, can facilitate effective transfer of patients with AAS to a regional aortic center. An SVSCSS of8 predicted an increased system-related mortality and may be a useful metric to assess the appropriateness of patient transfer.

Background: Chemotherapy represents the standard treatment for patients with metastatic stomach cancer. Conflicting results have been published regarding the activity of paclitaxel in this setting. Therefore, we developed a phase II study to evaluate an outpatient 3 h infusion of paclitaxel. Methods: Patients with chemonaive metastatic stomach cancer received paclitaxel 210 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks. Patients with esophageal cancer were not eligible. Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled. The median age was 55.5 years (range 37–81 years). Two partial responses were observed among the 18 patients evaluable for response and toxicity (response rate 11%, 95% CI: 2–33%). The median time to progression was 10.5 weeks and median survival 23 weeks. There was only one episode of grade IV neutropenia and no episodes of grade 3–4 non-hematological toxicity were observed. Conclusion: Paclitaxel exhibited minimal activity in this patient population.