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BACKGROUND: Weather variability is associated with enteric infections in people through a complex interaction of human, animal, and environmental factors. Although Campylobacter infections have been previously associated with precipitation and temperature, the association between precipitation and drought on campylobacteriosis has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: Using data from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and counties in Utah, this ecological study aimed to assess the association between precipitation and the incidence of campylobacteriosis by county from 2009 to 2021 and to determine how this association is modified by prior drought level and animal operations. METHODS: We merged 38,782 cases of campylobacteriosis reported in 127 counties with total precipitation (in inches), temperature (in average degrees Fahrenheit), Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI, category), and animal census data (presence, density per square mile) by week from 2009 to 2021. Negative binomial generalized estimating equations adjusted for temperature with a 3-wk lag were used to explore the association between precipitation on campylobacteriosis with resulting incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Stratified analyses explored the association with precipitation following antecedent drought, presence of farm operations, and animal density. RESULTS: A 1-in (25.4 mm) increase in precipitation was associated with a 3% increase in campylobacteriosis reported 3 wks later (IRR=1.03; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.04) after adjusting for average temperature and PDSI. Compared with normal conditions, there were significantly more cases when precipitation followed antecedent extremely wet (IRR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.26), very wet (IRR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18), moderately wet (IRR=1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12), moderate drought (IRR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.16), and severe drought (IRR=1.06; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.11) conditions, whereas there were significantly fewer cases (IRR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.94) for antecedent extreme drought. Compared to counties with no animal operations, counties with animal operations had significantly more cases following precipitation for every PDSI category except extreme drought. Counties with a higher density of beef cattle, goats for meat, chicken broilers, and chicken layers had significantly higher rates of campylobacteriosis following precipitation than those with no such operations, whereas those with dairy cattle and goats for milk, did not. DISCUSSION: In this majority arid and semiarid environment, precipitation following prior wet conditions and moderate and severe drought were significantly associated with increased rates of campylobacteriosis, and only in prior extreme drought did rates decrease. Where the precipitation fell made a difference; after precipitation, counties with farm operations had significantly more cases compared to counties without farm operations. Further work should assess individual-level risk factors within environmental exposure pathways for Campylobacter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variants related to colorectal adenoma may help identify those who are at highest risk of colorectal cancer development or illuminate potential chemopreventive strategies. The purpose of this genome-wide association study was to identify genetic variants that are associated with risk of developing a metachronous colorectal adenoma among 1,215 study participants of European descent from the Selenium Trial. Associations of variants were assessed with logistic regression analyses and validated in an independent case-control study population of 1,491 participants from the Colorectal Cancer Study of Austria (CORSA). No statistically significant genome-wide associations between any variant and metachronous adenoma were identified after correction for multiple comparisons. However, an intron variant of FAT3 gene, rs61901554, showed a suggestive association (P = 1.10 × 10−6) and was associated with advanced adenomas in CORSA (P = 0.04). Two intronic variants, rs12728998 and rs6699944 in NLRP3 were also observed to have suggestive associations with metachronous lesions (P = 2.00 × 10−6) in the Selenium Trial and were associated with advanced adenoma in CORSA (P = 0.03). Our results provide new areas of investigation for the genetic basis of the development of metachronous colorectal adenoma and support a role for FAT3 involvement in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway leading to colorectal neoplasia. Trial Registration number: NCT00078897 (ClinicalTrials.gov). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Approximately 1 in 25 people admitted to a hospital in the United States will suffer a health care–associated infection (HAI). Environmental contamination of hospital surfaces contributes to HAI transmission. We investigated the impact of an antimicrobial surface coating on HAIs and environmental bioburdens at 2 urban hospitals. Methods A transparent antimicrobial surface coating was applied to patient rooms and common areas in 3 units at each hospital. Longitudinal regression models were used to compare changes in hospital-onset multidrug-resistant organism bloodstream infection (MDRO-BSI) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates in the 12 months before and after application of the surface coating. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were compared for units receiving the surface coating application and for contemporaneous control units. Environmental samples were collected pre- and post-application to identify bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) and the percent of sites positive for select, clinically relevant pathogens. Results Across both hospitals, there was a 36% decline in pooled HAIs (combined MDRO-BSIs and CDIs) in units receiving the surface coating application (IRR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI],.44–.91), and no decline in the control units (IRR, 1.20; 95% CI,.92–1.55). Following the surface application, the total bacterial CFUs at Hospitals A and B declined by 79% and 75%, respectively; the percentages of environmental samples positive for clinically relevant pathogens also declined significantly for both hospitals. Conclusions Statistically significant reductions in HAIs and environmental bioburdens occurred in the units receiving the antimicrobial surface coating, suggesting the potential for improved patient outcomes and persistent reductions in environmental contamination. Future studies should assess optimal implementation methods and long-term impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]