title: Clinical Response, Outbreak Investigation, and Epidemiology of the Fungal Meningitis Epidemic in the United States: Systematic Review.
abstract: We conducted a systematic review of the 2012-2013 multistate fungal meningitis epidemic in the United States from the perspectives of clinical response, outbreak investigation, and epidemiology. Articles focused on clinical response, outbreak investigation, and epidemiology were included, whereas articles focused on compounding pharmacies, legislation and litigation, diagnostics, microbiology, and pathogenesis were excluded. We reviewed 19 articles by use of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. The source of the fungal meningitis outbreak was traced to the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts, where injectable methylprednisolone acetate products were contaminated with the predominant pathogen, Exserohilum rostratum. As of October 23, 2013, the final case count stood at 751 patients and 64 deaths, and no additional cases are anticipated. The multisectoral public health response to the fungal meningitis epidemic from the hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and the public health system at the local, state, and federal levels led to an efficient epidemiological investigation to trace the outbreak source and rapid implementation of multiple response plans. This systematic review reaffirms the effective execution of a multisectoral public health response and efficient delivery of the core functions of public health assessment, policy development, and service assurances to improve population health.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Population Health Sciences,Virginia Tech,Blacksburg,Virginia.
authors.forename: Kaja M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Population Health Sciences,Virginia Tech,Blacksburg,Virginia.
authors.forename: Nargesalsadat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dorratoltaj
authors.affiliation: 2New River Health District,Virginia Department of Health,Christiansburg,Virginia.
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Dell
authors.affiliation: 2New River Health District,Virginia Department of Health,Christiansburg,Virginia.
authors.forename: Paige
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bordwine
authors.affiliation: 3Division of Infectious Diseases,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine,Roanoke,Virginia.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kerkering
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Population Health Sciences,Virginia Tech,Blacksburg,Virginia.
authors.forename: Kerry J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Redican
mesh_terms: D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016921:Meningitis, Fungal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: communicable diseases; disease outbreaks; epidemics; infection control; public health practice