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Instructions to Authors

Manuscript Preparation

For word processing, use MS Word. List the following information in this order: title page, article summary line, keywords, abstract, text, acknowledgments, biographical sketch, references, tables, figure legends, and appendixes.

Title Page

Give complete information about each author (i.e., full name, graduate degree(s), affiliation, and the name of the institution in which the work was done). Clearly identify the corresponding author and provide that author's address (include phone number, fax number, and e-mail address). Include separate word counts for both the abstract and the body of the text.

Article Summary Line

Submit a clear, brief, one-sentence summary of the article's conclusions.

Keywords and Abstract

Include up to 10 keywords; use terms listed in the Medical Subject Headings from Index Medicus. Do not cite references in the abstract. Abstracts for perspectives, synopses, policy reviews, and research studies should not exceed 150 words. Abstracts for dispatches should be no more than 50 words.

Text

Double-space everything, including the title page, abstract, references, tables, and figure legends. Indent paragraphs; leave no extra space between paragraphs. After a period, leave only one space before beginning the next sentence. Use 12-point Times New Roman font and format with ragged right margins (left align). Italicize (rather than underline) scientific names when needed.

Biographical Sketch

Include a short biographical sketch of the first author (both authors if only two). Include affiliations and the author's primary research interests.

References

Follow Uniform Requirements style (see Style Guide for URL). Do not use endnotes for references. Place reference numbers in parentheses, not superscripts. Number citations in order of appearance (including in text, figures, and tables). Cite personal communications, unpublished data, and manuscripts in preparation or submitted for publication in parentheses in text. Consult List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus for accepted journal abbreviations; if a journal is not listed, spell out the journal title in full. List the first six authors followed by "et al." Below are some examples of references that may not be listed in Uniform Requirements.

Electronic Journal Citation

Komar N, Lanciotti R, Bowen R, Langevin S, Bunning M. Detection of West Nile virus in oral and cloacal swabs collected from bird carcasses. Emerg Infect Dis [serial online]. 2002 Jul [cited 2002 May 30]. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol8no7/02-0157.htm

ProMed Citation

Lipkin I. West Nile-like virus: PCR primers and protocols. ProMed. October 13, 1999. Accessed at http://www.promedmail.org, archive number: 19991013.1826.

Published Conference Abstract Citation

Galil K, Singleton R, Levine O, Fitzgerald M, Ajello G, Bulkow L, et al. High prevelence of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) carriage among Alaska Natives despite widespread use of Hib-conjugate vaccine. In: Abstracts of the 35th Infectious Diseases Society of America; San Francisco, California; 1997 Sept 13-16; Abstract 421. Alexandria, (VA): Infectious Disease Society of America; 1997.

Tables. Provide tables within the manuscript file, not as separate files. Use the MS Word table tool, no columns, tabs, spaces, or other programs. Footnote any use of boldface. Tables should be no wider than 17 cm. Condense or divide larger tables. Extensive tables may be made available online only.

Figures. Provide figures as separate files, not embedded in MS Word. Use Arial font for text content. Place keys within figure area. Provide footnotes and other information (e.g., source/copyright data, explanation of boldface) in figure legend. Submit figures with text content in native, editable, PC file formats (e.g., MS Excel/PowerPoint). Submit image files (e.g., electromicrographs) without text content as high-resolution (300 dpi/ppi minimum) TIFF or JPG files. Submit separate files for multiple figure panels (e.g., A, B, C). EPS files are admissible but should be saved with fonts embedded (not converted to lines). No PNG or BMP files are admissible. For additional guidance, call 404-639-1250.


Manuscript Submission

To submit a manuscript, access Manuscript Central. Include a cover letter indicating the proposed category of the article (e.g., research, dispatch) and verifying that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all the authors. Complete the submission checklist. After you have received acknowledgment of manuscript receipt, use assigned manuscript number in all correspondence.

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Announcement Submission

To submit an announcement, send an email message to EIDEditor (eideditor@cdc.gov). In 50-150 words, describe timely events of interest to our readers. Include the date of the event, the location, the sponsoring organization(s), and a web site that readers may visit or a telephone number or email address that readers may contact for more information.

Announcements may be posted on the journal Web page only, depending on the event date.

Announcements are no longer submitted through Manuscript Central.

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Types of Articles

Perspectives

Articles should be under 3,500 words and should include references, not to exceed 40. Use of subheadings in the main body of the text is recommended. Photographs and illustrations are encouraged. Provide a short abstract (150 words), a one-line summary of the conclusions, and a brief biographical sketch of first author—both authors if only two. Articles in this section should provide insightful analysis and commentary about new and reemerging infectious diseases and related issues. Perspectives may also address factors known to influence the emergence of diseases, including microbial adaptation and change, human demographics and behavior, technology and industry, economic development and land use, international travel and commerce, and the breakdown of public health measures. If detailed methods are included, a separate section on experimental procedures should immediately follow the body of the text.

Synopses

Articles should be under 3,500 words and should include references, not to exceed 40. Use of subheadings in the main body of the text is recommended. Photographs and illustrations are encouraged. Provide a short abstract (150 words), a one-line summary of the conclusions, and a brief biographical sketch of first author—both authors if only two. This section comprises concise reviews of infectious diseases or closely related topics. Preference is given to reviews of new and emerging diseases; however, timely updates of other diseases or topics are also welcome. If detailed methods are included, a separate section on experimental procedures should immediately follow the body of the text.

Research Studies

Articles should be under 3,500 words and should include references, not to exceed 40. Use of subheadings in the main body of the text is recommended. Photographs and illustrations are encouraged. Provide a short abstract (150 words), a one-sentence summary of the conclusions, and a brief biographical sketch of first author—both authors if only two. Report laboratory and epidemiologic results within a public health perspective. Explain the value of the research in public health terms and place the findings in a larger perspective (i.e., "Here is what we found, and here is what the findings mean").

Policy and Historical Reviews

Articles should be under 3,500 words and should include references, not to exceed 40. Use of subheadings in the main body of the text is recommended. Photographs and illustrations are encouraged. Provide a short abstract (150 words), a one-line summary of the conclusions, and a brief biographical sketch of first author—both authors if only two. Articles in this section include public health policy or historical reports that are based on research and analysis of emerging disease issues.

Dispatches

Articles should be no more than 1,200 words and need not be divided into sections. If subheadings are used, they should be general, e.g., "The Study" and "Conclusions." Provide a brief abstract (50 words); references (not to exceed 15); figures or illustrations (not to exceed two); tables (not to exceed two); and a brief biographical sketch of first author—both authors if only two. Dispatches are updates on infectious disease trends and research. The articles include descriptions of new methods for detecting, characterizing, or subtyping new or reemerging pathogens. Developments in antimicrobial drugs, vaccines, or infectious disease prevention or elimination programs are appropriate. Case reports are also welcome.

Commentaries

Thoughtful discussions (500–1,000 words) of current topics. Commentaries may contain references but no figures or tables.

Another Dimension

Thoughtful essays, short stories, or poems on philosophical issues related to science, medical practice, and human health. Topics may include science and the human condition, the unanticipated side of epidemic investigations, or how people perceive and cope with infection and illness. This section is intended to invoke compassion for human suffering and to expand the science reader's literary scope. Manuscripts are selected for publication as much for their content (the experiences they describe) as for their literary merit.

Letters

Letters commenting on recent articles as well as letters reporting cases, outbreaks, or original research are welcome. Letters commenting on articles should contain no more than 300 words and 5 references; they are more likely to be published if submitted within 4 weeks of the original article's publication. Letters reporting cases, outbreaks, or original research should contain no more than 800 words and 10 references. They may have one Figure or Table and should not be divided into sections. All letters should contain material not previously published and include a word count.

Book Reviews

Short reviews (250–500 words) of recently published books on emerging disease issues are welcome. The name of the book and publisher, and the number of pages should be included, as well as price and ISBN #.

Announcements

We welcome brief announcements (50–150 words) of timely events of interest to our readers. (Announcements may be posted on the journal Web page only, depending on the event date.)

Conference Summaries

Summaries (500 to 1,000 words) of emerging infectious disease conference activities are published online only (effective January 2005). Summaries, which should contain 500–1,000 words, should focus on content rather than process and may provide illustrations, references, and links to full reports of conference activities.

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Comments to the EID Editors

Please contact the EID Editors at eideditor@cdc.gov

This page posted December 6, 2007
This page last reviewed December 17, 2007

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