학술논문
Invasive Mold Infections Following Hurricane Harvey--Houston, Texas
MAJOR ARTICLE
MAJOR ARTICLE
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Source
Open Forum Infectious Diseases. March 2023, Vol. 10 Issue 3
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2328-8957
Abstract
Climate change is expected to accelerate the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation, which could lead to large flooding events globally [1-4]. In late August 2017, Hurricane Harvey broke precipitation [...]
Background. Characterizing invasive mold infection (IMI) epidemiology in the context of large flooding events is important for public health planning and clinical decision making. Methods. We assessed IMI incidence (per 10 000 healthcare encounters) 1 year before and after Hurricane Harvey at 4 hospitals in Houston, Texas. Potential IMI cases were assigned as proven or probable cases using established definitions, and surveillance cases using a novel definition. We used rate ratios to describe IMI incidence and multivariable logistic regression to examine patient characteristics associated with IMI case status. Results. IMI incidence was significantly higher posthurricane (3.69 cases) than prehurricane (2.50 cases) (rate ratio, 1.48 [95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.00]), largely driven by surveillance IMI cases. Aspergillus was the most common species cultured (33.5% prehurricane and 39.9% posthurricane). About one-quarter (25.8%) of IMI patients lacked classical IMI risk factors such as hematologic malignancy and transplantations. Overall, 45.1% of IMI patients received intensive care, and in-hospital all-cause mortality was 24.2%. Conclusions. IMI incidence likely increased following Hurricane Harvey and outcomes for IMI patients were severe. Patient and clinician education on IMI prevention and identification is warranted, particularly as the frequency of extreme weather events increases due to climate change. Keywords. aspergillosis; hurricane; invasive mold infections; surveillance.
Background. Characterizing invasive mold infection (IMI) epidemiology in the context of large flooding events is important for public health planning and clinical decision making. Methods. We assessed IMI incidence (per 10 000 healthcare encounters) 1 year before and after Hurricane Harvey at 4 hospitals in Houston, Texas. Potential IMI cases were assigned as proven or probable cases using established definitions, and surveillance cases using a novel definition. We used rate ratios to describe IMI incidence and multivariable logistic regression to examine patient characteristics associated with IMI case status. Results. IMI incidence was significantly higher posthurricane (3.69 cases) than prehurricane (2.50 cases) (rate ratio, 1.48 [95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.00]), largely driven by surveillance IMI cases. Aspergillus was the most common species cultured (33.5% prehurricane and 39.9% posthurricane). About one-quarter (25.8%) of IMI patients lacked classical IMI risk factors such as hematologic malignancy and transplantations. Overall, 45.1% of IMI patients received intensive care, and in-hospital all-cause mortality was 24.2%. Conclusions. IMI incidence likely increased following Hurricane Harvey and outcomes for IMI patients were severe. Patient and clinician education on IMI prevention and identification is warranted, particularly as the frequency of extreme weather events increases due to climate change. Keywords. aspergillosis; hurricane; invasive mold infections; surveillance.