The objective of this study was to evaluate temporal patterns in reported cases of cryptosporidiosis and relate the data to reporting practice regulations. Weekly counts of reported cases (1998-1999) and indicators of cryptosporidiosis reporting regulations were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists web sites. Annual rates of reported cases were estimated. States were classified as having low, medium and high reporting rates according to quartiles. In "high rate" states, the annual trend and seasonal fluctuation were described. Estimates of the annual trend for each state were obtained using resistant regression and were tested for stability over the studied period. The relationship between rate of reporting and reporting practice regulations was analyzed. Overall annual rates of reporting range from 0 to 127 cases per 100,000 population. Rates in 1998 and 1999 were well correlated (Spearman’s r=.867, p<.001). States requiring both physicians and laboratories to report cases (80% of states) have a tendency toward higher rates (mean=27.5) than those requiring only laboratories to report (mean=6.2). Rates below 5.7 were classified as low reporting; rates above 44.3 as high reporting. "High rate" states display an increasing annual trend of 76.7%. Nationally, weekly reporting peaked in late summer/early fall (weeks 30-35) and exhibited a trough in late winter/early spring. From this first set of data, we learn that national reporting of cryptosporidiosis may reflect variation in ascertainment due to a learning component of a newly established surveillance system and type of reporting required.
Learning Objectives: During this session, faculty will discuss recent research regarding the trend in reported cryptosporidiosis and its relation to reporting practice regulations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.