BackgroundNorovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks in the United States; however, little data exist on the burden of endemic norovirus disease among adults. Robust estimates of the norovirus disease burden among US adults are needed to inform assessment of potential norovirus vaccines, which are currently in development.MethodsWe conducted active surveillance for AGE at the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Medical Center, where approximately 104,000 unique patients were served in 2016. Cases were defined as veterans with symptoms of AGE (≥3 loose stools, ≥2 vomiting episodes, or ≥1 episodes of both loose stool and vomiting, within 24 hours) occurring in the previous 10 days, who presented to the emergency department or outpatient clinics (outpatients), or were admitted to the hospital (inpatients). Patients without AGE symptoms in the prior 14 days were enrolled as controls. Demographic data and illness characteristics were collected from enrolled subjects, and stool samples were collected and tested using the FilmArray gastrointestinal panel. Norovirus positives were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and genotyped after sequencing of conventional PCR products.ResultsFrom November 1, 2015–November 30, 2016, 130 inpatient and 85 outpatient AGE cases, along with 20 inpatient and 37 outpatient controls, were enrolled and provided a stool specimen. Among cases, 201 (93%) were male, and 94 (44%) were ≥65 years; median duration of illness was 3 days (range, 1–10 days). Norovirus was detected in 12 (9%) inpatient and 15 (18%) outpatient cases; norovirus was not detected in any controls. Incidence of norovirus-associated hospitalization was 15/100,000 population, and was similar in hospitalized cases aged <65 years (14/100,000) and ≥65 years (15/100,000). Of 22 norovirus positive specimens genotyped, 13 (59%) were GII.4 Sydney.ConclusionThis robust, active surveillance platform employed screening and enrollment of patients in a VA population meeting a standardized AGE case definition, as well as asymptomatic controls. Data from this study highlight the burden of norovirus in adults and importance of a norovirus vaccine.Disclosures R. L. Atmar, Takeda Vaccines, Inc.: Research Support, Research support. B. Lopman, HHS/NIH/NIAID: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient.

Background: While stage and grade of breast cancer determines prognosis and outcome, race also impacts survival. While Black and White women have been studied, data for Hispanic women is sparse. Methods: Age-matched Hispanic, Black and White women diagnosed/treated with breast cancer at a single institution were retrospectively evaluated regarding prevalence, treatments and outcomes. Results: Overall, 120 women were included in the study (40 per race). No demographic/histologic variables were significantly different among races. ER+/PR+ tumors were less frequent in Hispanics than Whites, but higher than Blacks. Prevalence of triple negative breast cancers in Hispanic women was between the Black and White cohorts (p=0.025 and p=0.011, respectively). Stage II and III diagnoses (p=0.025) were more frequent in Hispanics and they opted for chemotherapy more often (p=0.034); however, there were no significant differences in outcomes and mortality among groups. When compared to the State tumor registry, our population had more LCIS diagnoses (p=0.01), earlier stages (I p=0.02; II p=0.006), received more treatment overall (radiation p=0.02, chemotherapy p=0.0001) and experienced better survival (p=0.004). In comparing the study population to the SEER database, higher rates of LCIS and IDC and lower rates of ILC and mixed histology in the study population were noted. LCIS and IDC were more prevalent in our cohort than SEER data (p=0.005, p=0.05, respectively), although we noted less ILC and mixed histology (p=0.03 and p=0.04). Conclusion: These data are the first reported for Hispanics in our state and highlight the need for larger studies to better serve this growing demographic.