Dr. Jay K. Varma’s Selected Scientific Publications
For complete list, see Google Scholar
Varma JK, Taylor J, Sharfstein JM. Planning for the next pandemic: Lab systems need policy shift to speed emerging infectious disease warning and tracking.
Health Affairs, 2023;42:366-73.
This paper highlighted systemic weaknesses in U.S. lab capacity and proposed policy solutions for pandemic preparedness.
Craig J, Frost I, Sriram A, Nuttall J, Kapoor G, Alimi Y, Varma JK. Development of the first edition of African treatment guidelines for common bacterial infections and syndromes.
J Public Health Africa, 2021;12:2009.
This paper documented the creation of Africa’s first continent-wide bacterial infection treatment guidelines, shaping WHO-Africa policies.
Varma JK, Thamkittikasem J, Whittemore K, et al. COVID-19 infections among students and staff in New York City public schools.
Pediatrics, 2021;147:e2021050605.
This study provided critical real-world data on COVID-19 risk in schools, reinforcing evidence-based reopening strategies.
Varma JK, Maeda J, Magafu MG, Onyebujoh PC. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is closing gaps in disease detection.
Health Security, 2020;18:483-488.
This paper outlined Africa CDC’s strategies for strengthening epidemic surveillance across the continent.
Varma JK, Oppong-Otoo J, Ondoa P, et al. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s framework for antimicrobial resistance control in Africa.
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 2018;7:a830.
This paper describes Africa CDC’s strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance on the continent.
Varma JK, Greene KD, Reller M, et al. An outbreak of E. coli O157:Non-motile infections following exposure to a contaminated building.
This study was among the first to document an E. coli outbreak linked to a contaminated building, informing future outbreak investigations and prevention of infections at county fairs.
Varma JK, Katsitadze G, Moiscrafishvili M, et al. Rising incidence of foodborne botulism in the Republic of Georgia, 1980-2002.
Emerg Infect Dis, 2004;10:1601-1605.
This study described a sharp rise in botulism cases, leading to policy changes in home preparation of foods and overall food safety in Georgia.
Varma JK, Samuel MC, Marcus R, et al. Listeria monocytogenes infection from foods prepared in a commercial establishment: a case-control study of potential sources of sporadic illness in the United States.
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2007; 44(4):521-528
This study identified risk factors for Listeria infection linked to food prepared in commercial establishments, informing food safety policies and subsequent outbreak investigations.
Cain KP, Anekthananon T, Burapat C, et al. Causes of death in HIV-infected persons who have tuberculosis, Thailand.
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2009; 15(2):258.
This study identified the main causes of death among HIV-TB patients, improving health policies on allocating HIV therapy.
Getahun H, Kittikraisak W, Heilig CM, et al. Development of a standardized screening rule for tuberculosis in people living with HIV in resource-constrained settings: individual participant data meta-analysis of observational studies.
This meta-analysis informed a new policy by the WHO on how to screen for TB in people with HIV in low-resource settings.
Varma JK, Marcus R, Stenzel SA, et al. Highly resistant Salmonella Newport-MDRAmpC transmitted through the domestic US food supply: a FoodNet case-control study of sporadic Salmonella Newport infections, 2002–2003.
Journal of Infectious Disease 2006;194:220-30
This study provided critical evidence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella transmission through the US food supply.
Yu H, Huang J, Huai Y, et al. The substantial hospitalization burden of influenza in central China: surveillance for severe, acute respiratory infection, and influenza viruses, 2010–2012.
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 2014; 8(1):53-65.
This study quantified the burden of severe influenza, influencing vaccine policies in China and recognition of respiratory virus outbreaks (such as COVID-19).
Cain KP, McCarthy KD, Heilig CM, et al. An algorithm for tuberculosis screening and diagnosis in people with HIV.
New England Journal of Medicine, 2010; 362(8):707-716.
This study led to WHO commissioning a meta-analysis (cited above) that informed new guidelines for TB screening in people living with HIV in low-resource settings.
Monkongdee P, McCarthy KD, Cain KP, et al. Yield of acid-fast smear and mycobacterial culture for tuberculosis diagnosis in people with human immunodeficiency virus.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2009; 180(9):903-908.
This study improved TB diagnostic strategies for people living with HIV.
Varma JK, Greene KD, Reller ME, et al. An outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 infection following exposure to a contaminated building.
JAMA, 2003; 290(20):2709-2712.
This study documented a rare case of building-associated E. coli transmission, prompting changes in outbreak investigation methods.
Varma JK, Mølbak K, Barrett TJ, et al. Antimicrobial-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella is associated with excess bloodstream infections and hospitalizations.
Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2005; 191(4):554-561.
This study highlighted the clinical consequences of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella infections.
Varma JK, Greene KD, Ovitt J, et al. Hospitalization and antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella outbreaks, 1984–2002.
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2005; 11(6):943.
This study demonstrated why antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella infections are an important public health problem.