Disease relevance of Contact Tracing

• Syphilis in San Diego County 1983-1992: crack cocaine, prostitution, and the limitations of partner notification [1].
• Declining GUD and HIV seroprevalence stabilization followed declines in cocaine use and implementation of syndromic management of GUD, as well as intensified partner-notification efforts [2].
• In this study we aimed to characterize the ompA gene by sequencing DNA from all detected cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a Swedish county during 2001, in order to improve the efficiency of contact tracing [3].
• We reviewed and evaluated data from the TB contact tracing clinic, the Public Health Service Mycobacterium Reference Unit, Cardiff and the Consultant in Communicable Diseases Control, South Glamorgan Health Authority and compared these results with those of our previous study [4].
• The incidence figures fell rapidly after 1920 and reached a low of less than 30 cases per 100,000 in the mid 1920s, probably as a result of systemic treatment with Salvarsan in conjunction with vigorous contact tracing, two important measures to bring an infectious disease under epidemiological control [5].

High impact information on Contact Tracing

• CONCLUSIONS: The investigation of the outbreak revealed significant problems on an individual patient and population based level including difficulties with contact tracing, compliance, and the risk of developing multidrug resistance [6].
• Prompted by a sharp increase in the number of patients with MRSA in early 1987, contact tracing identified 450 employees, of whom 36 (8%) were nasal carriers [7].
• Audit of treatment and contact-tracing rates in immediate (presumptive) versus delayed (polymerase chain reaction) diagnosis of chlamydial infection [8].
• Those testing positive were counselled to receive three weekly doses of benzathine penicillin, and received a partner notification card [9].
• RESULTS: Great variations among the GPs' management of urogenital C. trachomatis infection according to sampling-site, medical treatment, follow-up and contact tracing were found [10].

Gene context of Contact Tracing

• This epidemic identified injection drug use (IDU) as the major determinant of transmission and was the first highly visible indication of IDU in rural Nova Scotia. Contact-tracing was used to identify 186 injection drug users (IDUs), of whom 153 (82%) were interviewed [11].
• In comparison with published reports of contact-tracing efforts for viral hepatitis among IDUs, the Cape Breton experience seems successful [12].
• On 27 March the Department of Health announced drastic measures, including vigorous contact tracing and examination, quarantine of contacts in their homes, and closure of all schools and universities [13].

References