Benjamin J Silk
Biographic Data
| ID | 111483 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Benjamin J Silk |
| GIVEN NAMES | Benjamin J |
| FAMILY NAME | Silk |
| SIGNATURE | SILK B J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 10 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 10 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2002 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Comparative evaluation of Sars-CoV-2 laboratory testing data sources for U.S. Covid-19 public health surveillance, 2020–2024
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing data were collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Understanding how these existing data correlate and diverge can help guide their use and interpretation. Method: We evaluated COVID-19 Electronic Laboratory Reporting (CELR), the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), Increasing Community Access…
Using Geographic Disaggregation to Compare Tuberculosis Epidemiology Among American Indian and Alaska Native Persons—USA, 2010–2020
BACKGROUND: American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations are frequently associated with the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) disease of any racial/ethnic group in the USA. We systematically investigated variation in patterns and potential drivers of TB epidemiology among geographically distinct AIAN subgroups. METHODS: Using data reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System during 2010-2020, we applied a geographic method o…
Travel history among persons infected with Sars-CoV-2 variants of concern in the United States, December 2020—February 2021
The first three SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic lineages classified as variants of concern (VOCs) in the United States (U.S.) from December 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1) lineages, were initially detected internationally. This investigation examined available travel history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reported in the U.S. in whom laboratory testing showed one of these initial VOCs. Travel …
Mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Implications for Using Whole-Genome Sequencing for Investigating Recent Tuberculosis Transmission
Tuberculosis (TB) control programs use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) for detecting and investigating TB case clusters. Existence of few genomic differences between Mtb isolates might indicate TB cases are the result of recent transmission. However, the variable and sometimes long duration of latent infection, combined with uncertainty in the Mtb mutation rate during latency, can complicate interpretation of W…
Tuberculosis Outbreaks in State Prisons, United States, 2011–2019
Objectives. To understand the frequency, magnitude, geography, and characteristics of tuberculosis outbreaks in US state prisons. Methods. Using data from the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System, we identified all cases of tuberculosis during 2011 to 2019 that were reported as occurring among individuals incarcerated in a state prison at the time of diagnosis. We used whole-genome sequencing to define 3 or more cases within 2 single nucleot…
Logically Inferred Tuberculosis Transmission (Litt)
Understanding tuberculosis (TB) transmission chains can help public health staff target their resources to prevent further transmission, but currently there are few tools to automate this process. We have developed the Logically Inferred Tuberculosis Transmission (LITT) algorithm to systematize the integration and analysis of whole-genome sequencing, clinical, and epidemiological data. Based on the work typically performed by hand during a cluste…
Tuberculosis in Indigenous Persons — United States, 2009–2019
Estimating and Evaluating Tuberculosis Incidence Rates Among People Experiencing Homelessness, United States, 2007–2016
OBJECTIVES: Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis (TB). We estimate area-specific rates of TB among PEH and characterize the extent to which available data support recent transmission as an explanation of high TB incidence. METHODS: We estimated TB incidence among PEH using National Tuberculosis Surveillance System data and population estimates for the US Department of Housing and Urban Developmen…
A strategy to increase adoption of locally-produced, ceramic cookstoves in rural Kenyan households
Our strategy of training of local vendors, appropriate incentives, and product integration effectively accelerated cookstove adoption into a large number of households. The strategy also created opportunities to reinforce health messages and promote cookstoves sales and installation. However, the project's overall success was diminished by inequitable and incomplete adoption by households with the lowest socioeconomic status and young children pr…
Tuberculosis Screening Among Foreign-Born Persons Applying for Permanent US Residence
Objectives. This study sought to determine adherence of physicians to tuberculosis (TB) screening guidelines among foreign-born persons living in the United States who were applying for permanent residency. Methods. Medical forms of applicants from 5 geographic areas were reviewed, along with information from a national physician database on attending physicians. Applicant and corresponding physician characteristics were compared among those who …
Tuberculosis Screening Among Foreign-Born Persons Applying for Permanent US Residence
Objectives. This study sought to determine adherence of physicians to tuberculosis (TB) screening guidelines among foreign-born persons living in the United States who were applying for permanent residency. Methods. Medical forms of applicants from 5 geographic areas were reviewed, along with information from a national physician database on attending physicians. Applicant and corresponding physician characteristics were compared among those who …
Tuberculosis Screening Among Foreign-Born Persons Applying for Permanent US Residence
Objectives. This study sought to determine adherence of physicians to tuberculosis (TB) screening guidelines among foreign-born persons living in the United States who were applying for permanent residency. Methods. Medical forms of applicants from 5 geographic areas were reviewed, along with information from a national physician database on attending physicians. Applicant and corresponding physician characteristics were compared among those who …
A strategy to increase adoption of locally-produced, ceramic cookstoves in rural Kenyan households
Our strategy of training of local vendors, appropriate incentives, and product integration effectively accelerated cookstove adoption into a large number of households. The strategy also created opportunities to reinforce health messages and promote cookstoves sales and installation. However, the project's overall success was diminished by inequitable and incomplete adoption by households with the lowest socioeconomic status and young children pr…
Logically Inferred Tuberculosis Transmission (Litt)
Understanding tuberculosis (TB) transmission chains can help public health staff target their resources to prevent further transmission, but currently there are few tools to automate this process. We have developed the Logically Inferred Tuberculosis Transmission (LITT) algorithm to systematize the integration and analysis of whole-genome sequencing, clinical, and epidemiological data. Based on the work typically performed by hand during a cluste…
Tuberculosis in Indigenous Persons — United States, 2009–2019
Estimating and Evaluating Tuberculosis Incidence Rates Among People Experiencing Homelessness, United States, 2007–2016
OBJECTIVES: Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis (TB). We estimate area-specific rates of TB among PEH and characterize the extent to which available data support recent transmission as an explanation of high TB incidence. METHODS: We estimated TB incidence among PEH using National Tuberculosis Surveillance System data and population estimates for the US Department of Housing and Urban Developmen…
Mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Implications for Using Whole-Genome Sequencing for Investigating Recent Tuberculosis Transmission
Tuberculosis (TB) control programs use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) for detecting and investigating TB case clusters. Existence of few genomic differences between Mtb isolates might indicate TB cases are the result of recent transmission. However, the variable and sometimes long duration of latent infection, combined with uncertainty in the Mtb mutation rate during latency, can complicate interpretation of W…
Tuberculosis Outbreaks in State Prisons, United States, 2011–2019
Objectives. To understand the frequency, magnitude, geography, and characteristics of tuberculosis outbreaks in US state prisons. Methods. Using data from the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System, we identified all cases of tuberculosis during 2011 to 2019 that were reported as occurring among individuals incarcerated in a state prison at the time of diagnosis. We used whole-genome sequencing to define 3 or more cases within 2 single nucleot…
Travel history among persons infected with Sars-CoV-2 variants of concern in the United States, December 2020—February 2021
The first three SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic lineages classified as variants of concern (VOCs) in the United States (U.S.) from December 15, 2020 to February 28, 2021, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1) lineages, were initially detected internationally. This investigation examined available travel history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reported in the U.S. in whom laboratory testing showed one of these initial VOCs. Travel …
Using Geographic Disaggregation to Compare Tuberculosis Epidemiology Among American Indian and Alaska Native Persons—USA, 2010–2020
BACKGROUND: American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations are frequently associated with the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) disease of any racial/ethnic group in the USA. We systematically investigated variation in patterns and potential drivers of TB epidemiology among geographically distinct AIAN subgroups. METHODS: Using data reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System during 2010-2020, we applied a geographic method o…
Comparative evaluation of Sars-CoV-2 laboratory testing data sources for U.S. Covid-19 public health surveillance, 2020–2024
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing data were collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Understanding how these existing data correlate and diverge can help guide their use and interpretation. Method: We evaluated COVID-19 Electronic Laboratory Reporting (CELR), the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), Increasing Community Access…
Medicine (9 works) · Tuberculosis (7 works) · Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology (7 works) · Demography (6 works) · Environmental health (6 works) · Pathology (5 works) · Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis (3 works) · Population (3 works) · Public health (3 works) · Computer Science (2 works)