this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr).Monkeypox, a zoonotic infection caused by an orthopoxvirus, is endemic in parts of Africa. On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the U.S. monkeypox outbreak, which began on May 17, to be a public health emergency (1,2). After detection of the first U.S. monkeypox case), CDC and health departments implemented enhanced monkeypox case detection and reporting. Among 2,891 cases reported in the United States through July 22 by 43 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia (DC), CDC received case report forms for 1,195 (41%) cases by July 27. Among these, 99% of cases were among men; among men with available information, 94% reported male-to-male sexual or close intimate contact during the 3 weeks before symptom onset. Among the 88% of cases with available data, 41% were among non-Hispanic White (White) persons, 28% among Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) persons, and 26% among non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) persons. Forty-two percent of persons with monkeypox with available data did not report the typical prodrome as their first symptom, and 46% reported one or more genital lesions during their illness; 41% had HIV infection. Data suggest that widespread community transmission of monkeypox has disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and racial and ethnic minority groups. Compared with historical reports of monkeypox in areas with endemic disease, currently reported outbreak-associated cases are less likely to have a prodrome and more likely to have genital involvement. CDC and other federal, state, and local agencies have implemented response efforts to expand testing, treatment, and vaccination. Public health efforts should prioritize gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, who are currently disproportionately affected, for prevention and testing, while addressing equity, minimizing stigma, and maintaining vigilance for transmission in other populations. Clinicians should test patients with rash consistent with

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of mortality despite availability of effective chemotherapy. This study was performed to identify contributing factors for poor outcome during anti-tuberculosis treatment at a teaching hospital chest clinic. Medical records of registered patients treated for TB between 1 January and 31 December, 2009 were reviewed and abstracted for demographic, clinical and outcome data. Risk factors for mortality during therapy were assessed using bivariate and multivariate logistics approaches. Of 599 patients, 355 (58.9%) completed therapy and/or were cured, 192 (32.1%) died, and 39 (6.5%) defaulted. In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for mortality included pulmonary cases for which sputum smear status was unknown (odds ratio [OR] 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0, 31.4), HIV coinfection (OR, 3.6; 95% CI 2.4, 5.4), disseminated TB (OR, 2.2; 95% CI 1.0, 4.9), TB meningitis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI 1.5, 5.3), not having a treatment supporter (OR, 2.0; 95% CI 1.3, 3.1), and low body weight (OR, 11.0; 95% CI 3.1, 38.6). Not having a treatment supporter (OR, 3.2; 95% CI 1.6, 6.6) and HIV coinfection (OR, 2.4; 95% CI 1.2, 5.2) were also independently associated with treatment default. Our findings suggest that enhanced measures to reduce mortality and default in TB patients with HIV coinfection, disseminated or meningeal disease and those who have no treatment supporters may help improve treatment outcomes in Ghana.

Virtually all aspects of cell biology are regulated by a ubiquitin code where distinct ubiquitin chain architectures guide the binding events and itineraries of modified substrates. Various combinations of E2 and E3 enzymes accomplish chain formation by forging isopeptide bonds between the C-terminus of their transiently-linked donor ubiquitin and a specific nucleophilic amino acid on the acceptor ubiquitin, yet it is unknown whether the fundamental feature of most acceptors - the lysine side-chain - affects catalysis. Here, use of synthetic ubiquitins with non-natural acceptor site replacements reveals that the aliphatic side-chain specifying reactive amine geometry is a determinant of the ubiquitin code, through unanticipated and complex reliance of many distinct ubiquitin carrying enzymes on a canonical acceptor lysine.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, patterns and predictors (individual, social, cultural, and environmental) of illicit drug use and binge drinking in a cohort of Latino migrant men (LMM) in a new receiving community. Methods A cohort of LMM in New Orleans (n = 125) was assembled in 2007 using respondent driven sampling and interviewed quarterly for 18 months regarding past month substance use and other potential covariates. Baseline frequencies were weighted using RDSAT and longitudinal analyses included generalized estimating equations (GEE) and the Cochran–Armitage test for trends. Results At baseline, substance use behaviors were: drug use 15.0% (range 7.3–25.0%) and binge drinking 58.3% (range 43.6–74.6%). All three of these behaviors decreased over follow-up (P < 0.01). Baseline alcohol dependence and drug problem were 11.8% (range 5.6–24.3%) and 0.08% (range 0.00–2.7%) and both remained the same over time. Baseline rate of chlamydia was 9% (range 0.00–22.4%); all men tested negative for gonorrhea, HIV, and syphilis. For both binge drinking and drug use, having sex with a female sex worker was associated with increased risk, whereas belonging to a club or organization was associated with less risk. Additional factors associated with increased drug use were: having a friend in New Orleans upon arrival, symptoms of depression, and working in construction. An additional factor associated with less binge drinking was having family in New Orleans upon arrival. Conclusion Among LMM, substance use is influenced by social and environmental factors. Interventions increase community connectedness may help decrease usage.