Infectious disease Archives

Emailed letters can encourage people who have had a heart attack to get the flu shot

April 11, 2024

People who have had a heart attack responded better to an emailed flu shot reminder that explained the heart health benefits of the vaccine than to letters touting other reasons to get vaccinated.

Decision support trial reflects challenges of expanding HIV prevention

February 27, 2024

A targeted messaging system to alert primary care physicians before a visit with a patient who might be at risk for contracting HIV resulted in a significant increase in referrals for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by those doctors who also see people with HIV as part of their practice.

Study explores weight gain with HIV treatment

February 6, 2024

A unique study comparing people with HIV starting antiretroviral medication treatment (ART) with demographically similar people without HIV found greater weight gain over 2 years in those with HIV.

Certain people with HIV may need more help to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease

January 16, 2024

The well-established higher risk of cardiovascular disease in people with HIV compared with people without HIV is more pronounced in key subgroups – people with HIV and controlled hypertension, those with inadequately treated cholesterol, and those with a history of frequent unhealthy alcohol use.

Syndemics: Untangling a complex mix of HIV, heart disease, social issues

August 16, 2023

This episode of KP Research Radio podcast features investigators at the Division of Research who are using a method called syndemics to examine the complex ways that biological, social, and other factors interact to increase the risk of heart disease for a person living with HIV.

COVID-19 vaccination was effective in children, adolescents during 2021

April 7, 2023

A large study of U.S. children and teens who received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine finds that it was effective through much of 2021, but waned over time, especially as the omicron variant became dominant in 2022. Teens who received a booster dose regained some protection.

Common HIV medication associated with improved COVID-19 outcomes

March 1, 2023

A medication used to treat HIV and to prevent at-risk people from contracting the virus may improve COVID-19 outcomes for both groups, according to research from Kaiser Permanente published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Exposure to small children linked to lower risk of severe COVID-19

July 27, 2022

Adults with young children – and exposure to their colds – were less likely to have severe illness from COVID-19 than similar adults without children, a Kaiser Permanente study finds.

Study offers reassurance to pregnant patients using biologic medications for autoimmune disorders

June 9, 2022

A new study led by Kaiser Permanente researchers provides reassurance about vaccinating infants whose mothers took biologic medications for an autoimmune disorder during pregnancy.

Lower in-hospital mortality for vaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19

May 9, 2022

COVID-19 patients in Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals during the delta surge of 2021 were less likely to die in the hospital of COVID-19 if they were vaccinated, new research finds.

Coronavirus may double severe complications in pregnancy

March 21, 2022

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of pregnant patients who tested positive for the coronavirus found more than double the risk of poor outcomes including preterm birth, venous thromboembolism (blood clot), and severe maternal morbidity, which includes conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis.

Early data on COVID-19 vaccine in teens shows booster effectiveness

March 1, 2022

An analysis of early data on the effectiveness of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children and teens found that a third shot, or booster, extended protection against emergency department and urgent care visits in 16- and 17-year-olds.

People with HIV are at increased risk for heart failure

December 13, 2021

The Kaiser Permanente study found the risk difference was more pronounced in women, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and people under 40.

Higher risk of dementia for older adults living with HIV

December 1, 2021

A study reviewing 16 years of patient data found nearly double the rate of dementia among people with HIV compared with those without HIV. The rate of dementia decreased over time for both groups but remained higher for those with HIV, reported research published in the journal AIDS.

No serious health effects linked to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

September 3, 2021

Federal and Kaiser Permanente researchers combing the health records of 6.2 million patients found no serious health effects that could be linked to the 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

HIV prevention treatment shows gaps among key populations

August 26, 2021

A large, detailed look by Kaiser Permanente researchers at patients taking HIV-prevention drug therapy finds strong adherence soon after patients get the prescription, but less consistent use thereafter, particularly among groups considered high priority for receiving the medication.

5 Questions for…Ousseny Zerbo

August 23, 2021

Division of Research investigator Ousseny Zerbo, PhD, describes his long journey from his childhood and education in Burkina Faso to becoming an epidemiologist in Northern California.

New tool for early identification of COVID-19 surges

July 26, 2021

Health systems could use data from routine clinical care to identify the onset of upcoming COVID-19 surges as many as 6 weeks before they occur, Kaiser Permanente researchers found in a study published in the journal BMJ Open.

COVID-19 vaccine trial enrolls children aged 5-11 at 3 sites in Northern California

June 9, 2021

About 75 children are scheduled to receive their first vaccination against COVID-19 as part of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine clinical trial through Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Kaiser Permanente data key to nation’s COVID-19 vaccine surveillance strategy

January 6, 2021

Kaiser Permanente’s Vaccine Study Center is leading a key part of the national safety surveillance effort for the COVID-19 vaccines, tracking patient data for serious side effects.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California deepens its COVID-19 research agenda

October 13, 2020

Researchers and clinicians with Kaiser Permanente Northern California are developing a wide-ranging research agenda to beat COVID-19, working at the accelerated pace demanded by a worldwide pandemic.

It’s flu season: What you need to know about the research

October 9, 2020

What does it take to be sure the annual flu vaccine is effective and safe? Research. In a podcast, Nicola Klein, head of the Vaccine Study Center, tackles some common questions about the vaccine and recent findings.

Active tuberculosis linked to higher long-term risk of death

September 23, 2020

People who recovered from active tuberculosis had a higher long-term risk of death from any cause than similar patients who never had active tuberculosis shows a new Kaiser Permanente study.

Study identifies geographic clusters of pregnant women who missed flu shots

September 8, 2020

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of women who did not get flu shots during their pregnancies found the women clustered in geographic “hot spots.” These women tended to have fewer prenatal medical visits and live in low-income neighborhoods.

Earlier start to HIV treatment may reduce long-term risk of some cancers

August 27, 2020

New research from Kaiser Permanente that followed a large number of people living with HIV over 15 years finds reduced risk of certain cancers is among the benefits of early treatment.

Kaiser Permanente joins late-stage COVID-19 vaccine study

August 12, 2020

The Division of Research has joined a phase 3 clinical trial testing a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against the COVID-19 virus. Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Northwest join them in this global effort.

Kaiser Permanente researchers present latest findings at global AIDS2020 conference held online

July 6, 2020

Kaiser Permanente’s rich history of research and care delivery innovation around HIV and AIDS will be highlighted at the global International AIDS Conference, being held online July 6-10.

On-demand HIV prevention pills worked well for San Francisco patients

June 4, 2020

…Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. “We now have different dosing strategies that can meet the needs of different patients.” –Jonathan Volk, MD, The Permanente Medical Group The 2-1-1 regimen was…

Population-level estimates show wide age range of adults hospitalized with COVID-19

April 24, 2020

A JAMA study, using data on patients hospitalized in March from all 21 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals, is one of the first U.S. studies to look at overall hospitalization admissions of COVID-19 patients.

Study finds no evidence of harm to infant development after mothers get flu vaccine while pregnant

February 5, 2020

A Kaiser Permanente study of women who were given inactivated influenza vaccine while pregnant found no indication of developmental problems for their babies at 6 months old.

Study in pregnant women suggests maternal infection, not antibiotics, associated with childhood obesity

December 5, 2019

Women who had an untreated infection during pregnancy were more likely to have a child who later went on to be obese than pregnant women who never had an infection, new research from Kaiser Permanente finds.

Division of Research findings contribute to change to national hepatitis C treatment guideline

November 18, 2019

Black patients being treated for hepatitis C can take 8 weeks of certain direct-acting antiviral drugs rather than the previous recommendation of 12 weeks, updated guidelines say.

Prediction tool could identify more patients at risk of getting HIV

July 5, 2019

Kaiser Permanente researchers have developed a new analytical tool that identifies people at risk of contracting HIV so they may be referred for preventive medication.

‘Motivational interview’ may lessen problem drinking in people with HIV

June 11, 2019

A single, 45-minute “motivational interview” with two 20-minute follow-up phone calls may help people with HIV who report unhealthy drinking reduce their alcohol intake, say researchers at UC San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente.

Pregnancy history of red-blood-cell donors not linked to higher mortality in transfusion recipients

June 11, 2019

Division of Research investigators participated in a multi-institution collaborative analysis, which supported the safety of current transfusion practice within Kaiser Permanente’s network of community hospitals.

Waning potency of pertussis vaccine a significant contributor to recent whooping cough outbreaks

June 9, 2019

Children who were up to date on their pertussis vaccine schedule were far less likely to develop the disease than those unvaccinated. The risk of vaccinated children becoming ill increased with time since vaccination, suggesting waning effectiveness.

Hepatitis C drugs not associated with more adverse events

June 7, 2019

Direct-acting antiviral agents used to treat patients with the hepatitis C virus are not associated with higher rates of adverse liver, kidney, and cardiovascular events, according to research published in JAMA Network Open and supported by data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

The New Faces of Health Care Research, Pt. 2

January 30, 2019

In part 2 of our profile series, meet the last three of the seven early-career researchers who began their post-doctoral appointments this past year and represent not only diverse communities but diverse research interests as well.

The New Faces of Health Care Research

January 22, 2019

Seven early-career researchers began their post-doctoral appointments this past year and represent not only diverse communities but diverse research interests as well. This is Part 1 of our new class profile.

5 Questions for… Michael Silverberg

November 28, 2018

With December 1 marking World AIDS Day, this infectious disease expert looks at the state of HIV/AIDS research. And despite his Northern California location, admits he’s a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan.

Kaiser Permanente Research Featured at ID Week 2018

October 16, 2018

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research scientists recently presented research on influenza vaccines, colorectal screening outcomes in HIV-infected individuals, a genetic basis for fever after measles-containing vaccines, and more at ID Week, a leading conference on infectious diseases.

Q&A: Talking Flu Shots with Nicola Klein, Director of Kaiser Permanente’s Vaccine Study Center

September 19, 2018

Dr. Klein’s latest research raised some interesting questions about when influenza vaccinations are most effective, so we spoke with her to learn more and answer some common flu vaccine questions.

“Catch-up” HPV Vaccination Works for Females up to Age 20 Years at First Dose, Not Older Ages

August 7, 2018

Kaiser Permanente study confirms recommendations for catch-up HPV vaccination with 3 doses in females aged 15 to 20, but not when started at or after age 21.

Eight Weeks or Twelve? Kaiser Permanente Study Shows Shorter Hepatitis C Regimen Effective in Black Patients

March 15, 2018

A new study shows that a treatment regimen of 8 weeks for hepatitis C may be just as effective as 12 weeks in black patients. The study also showed that more people overall can take advantage of the shorter treatment durations, which has important implications for access given the medication’s high cost.

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