Seroprevalence, seroconversion and seroreversion of Borrelia burgdorferi-specific IgG antibodies in two population-based studies in children and adolescents, Germany, 2003 to 2006 and 2014 to 2017
ConclusionWe did not detect a change in seroprevalence in children and adolescents in Germany over a period of 11 years. Potential long-term changes, for example due to climatic changes, need to be assessed in consecutive serosurveys. Seroconversion was more likely among children and adolescents than among adults, representing a target group for preventive measures. Seroreversion rates are over twice as high in children and adolescents compared with previous studies among adults. Thus, seroprevalence estimates and seroconversion rates in children are likely underestimated. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 24, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Stefanie B öhm, Tom Woudenberg, Klaus Stark, Merle M Böhmer, Katharina Katz, Ronny Kuhnert, Martin Schlaud, Hendrik Wilking and Volker Fingerle Source Type: research
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting practices of public hospital microbiology laboratories in Greece, 2022: A national observational survey and call for action
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Greece is among the highest across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), with high AMR rates even to last-line antibiotics. To better understand the clinical microbiology laboratory practices and capacities in species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) across public healthcare establishments in Greece, we sent a questionnaire to 98 of 128 public hospital microbiology laboratories between 1 February and 1 April 2022. Of the 73.5% (72/98) that responded, 51.4% (37/72) reported using EUCAST guidelines. Two of three laboratories used an automated instru...
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 24, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sofia Karagiannidou, Ioannis Kopsidas, Michalis Polemis, Kyriaki Tryfinopoulou and Theoklis Zaoutis Source Type: research
Epidemiology, surveillance and diagnosis of Usutu virus infection in the EU/EEA, 2012 to 2021
ConclusionHuman USUV infections, mainly asymptomatic and, less frequently, with a febrile illness or a neuroinvasive disease, have been reported in several EU/EEA countries, where the virus is endemic. Climate and environmental changes are expected to affect the epidemiology of USUV. A One Health approach could improve the monitoring of its evolution in Europe. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 17, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Giorgia Angeloni, Michela Bertola, Elena Lazzaro, Matteo Morini, Giulia Masi, Alessandro Sinigaglia, Marta Trevisan, C éline M. Gossner, Joana M. Haussig, Tamas Bakonyi, Gioia Capelli and Luisa Barzon Source Type: research
A comparison of two registry-based systems for the surveillance of persons hospitalised with COVID-19 in Norway, February 2020 to May 2022
ConclusionChanges in patient cohorts, virus characteristics and the management of COVID-19 patients from late 2021 impacted the registration of patients and coding practices in the registries. Using ICD-10 codes for the surveillance of persons hospitalised due to COVID-19 requires age- and time-specific definitions and ongoing validation to consider temporal changes in patient cohorts and virus characteristics. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 17, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Robert Whittaker, Salla Toikkanen, Katharine Dean, Trude Marie Lyngstad, Eirik Alnes Buanes, Hilde Kl øvstad, Trine Hessevik Paulsen and Elina Seppälä Source Type: research
Letter to the editor: Antimicrobial resistance data and treatment guidelines – challenges in the context of urine samples and mecillinam testing
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 10, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Muna Abu Sin, Esther Wohlfarth, Anja Klingeberg, Tim Eckmanns, Michael Kresken, Evelyn Kramme and Guido Werner Source Type: research
Relative effectiveness of bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4-5 mRNA vaccine in preventing severe COVID-19 in persons 60 years and above during SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 and other XBB sublineages circulation, Italy, April to June 2023
During predominant circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 and other XBB sublineages (April–June 2023), we found that a second or third booster of Comirnaty bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4-5 mRNA vaccine, versus a first booster received at least 120 days earlier, was effective in preventing severe COVID-19 for more than 6 months post-administration in persons 60 years and above. In view of autumn 2023 vaccination campaigns, use of bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4-5 mRNA vaccines might be warranted until monovalent COVID-19 vaccines targeting Omicron XBB.1 sublineages become available. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 10, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Massimo Fabiani, Alberto Mateo-Urdiales, Chiara Sacco, Maria Cristina Rota, Emmanouil Alexandros Fotakis, Daniele Petrone, Martina Del Manso, Andrea Siddu, Paola Stefanelli, Antonino Bella, Flavia Riccardo, Giovanni Rezza, Anna Teresa Palamara, Silvio Bru Source Type: research
Seroprevalence for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and tick-borne encephalitis virus antibodies and associated risk factors among forestry workers in northern France, 2019 to 2020
ConclusionWe assessed for the first time seroprevalence ofB. burgdorferi sl and TBEV antibodies among forestry workers in northern France. These results will be used, together with data on LB and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) incidence and on exposure to tick-bites, to target prevention programmes. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 10, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alexandra Septfons, Emma Rigaud, Laetitia B énézet, Aurelie Velay, Laurence Zilliox, Lisa Baldinger, Gaëlle Gonzalez, Julie Figoni, Henriette de Valk, Gaëtan Deffontaines, Jean Claude Desenclos and Benoit Jaulhac Source Type: research
Revisiting the personal protective equipment components of transmission-based precautions for the prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory virus infections in healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted some potential limitations of transmission-based precautions. The distinction between transmission through large droplets vs aerosols, which have been fundamental concepts guiding infection control measures, has been questioned, leading to considerable variation in expert recommendations on transmission-based precautions for COVID-19. Furthermore, the application of elements of contact precautions, such as the use of gloves and gowns, is based on low-quality and inconclusive evidence and may have unintended consequences, such as increased incidence of healthcare-associated infections and s...
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 10, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Diamantis Plachouras, Oliver Kacelnik, Jes ús Rodríguez-Baño, Gabriel Birgand, Michael A Borg, Brian Kristensen, Jan Kubele, Outi Lyytikäinen, Elisabeth Presterl, Jacqui Reilly, Andreas Voss, Walter Zingg, Carl Suetens and Dominique L Monnet Source Type: research
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection on multiple fur farms in the South and Central Ostrobothnia regions of Finland, July 2023
Since mid-July 2023, an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB is ongoing among farmed animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. Infections in foxes, American minks and raccoon dogs have been confirmed on 20 farms. Genetic analysis suggests introductions from wild birds scavenging for food in farm areas. Investigations point to direct transmission between animals. While no human infections have been detected, control measures are being implemented to limit spread and human exposure. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 3, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Erika Lindh, Hanna Lounela, Niina Ikonen, Tuija Kantala, Carita Savolainen-Kopra, Ari Kauppinen, Pamela Österlund, Lauri Kareinen, Anna Katz, Tiina Nokireki, Jari Jalava, Laura London, Marjaana Pitkäpaasi, Jaana Vuolle, Anna-Liisa Punto-Luoma, Riikka Ka Source Type: research
Emergence and potential transmission route of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in domestic cats in Poland, June 2023
In June 2023, a fatal disease outbreak in cats occurred in Poland. Most cases tested in Poland (29 of 47) were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus. Genetic analyses revealed clade 2.3.4.4b with point mutations indicative of initial mammalian hosts adaptations. Cat viral sequences were highly similar (n = 21), suggesting a potential common infection source. To investigate possible infection routes, our group tested food samples from affected households. HPAI H5N1 virus was detected in one poultry meat sample. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 3, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Lukasz Rabalski, Aleksandra Milewska, Anne Pohlmann, Karolina Gackowska, Tomasz Lepionka, Klaudiusz Szczepaniak, Agnieszka Swiatalska, Izabela Sieminska, Zbigniew Arent, Martin Beer, Marion Koopmans, Maciej Grzybek and Krzysztof Pyrc Source Type: research
Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus in cats, Poland, June to July 2023
ConclusionThe scale of HPAI H5N1 virus infection in cats in Poland is worrying. One of the possible sources seems to be poultry meat, but to date no such meat has been identified with certainty. Surveillance should be stepped up on poultry, but also on certain species of farmed mammals kept close to infected poultry farms. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 3, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Katarzyna Doma ńska-Blicharz, Edyta Świętoń, Agnieszka Świątalska, Isabella Monne, Alice Fusaro, Karolina Tarasiuk, Krzysztof Wyrostek, Natalia Styś-Fijoł, Aleksandra Giza, Marta Pietruk, Bianca Zechchin, Ambra Pastori, Łukasz Adaszek, Małgorzat Source Type: research
Metagenomic sequencing for investigation of a national keratoconjunctivitis outbreak, Israel, 2022
ConclusionsThe real-time utilisation of metagenomics allowed species detection and development of diagnostic tools, which aided in outbreak source tracking and can be applied for future cases. Metagenomics allows a fully culture-independent investigation and is an important modality for public health microbiology. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 3, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Yair Motro, Denise Wajnsztajn, Ayelet Michael-Gayego, Shubham Mathur, Roberto BM Marano, Ikram Salah, Chaggai Rosenbluh, Violeta Temper, Jacob Strahilevitz and Jacob Moran-Gilad Source Type: research
Invasive beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections, Finland, 2006 to 2020: increase in Lancefield group C/G infections
ConclusionsThe incidence of invasive beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections in Finland has been rising since 2006, especially for iGCGS and among the elderly population. However, national surveillance still focuses on iGAS and iGBS, and European Union-wide surveillance is lacking. We recommend that surveillance of iGCGS be enhanced, including systematic collection and typing of isolates, to guide infection prevention strategies. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 3, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Dafni Katerina Paspaliari, Emmi Sarvikivi, Jukka Ollgren and Jaana Vuopio Source Type: research
Erratum for Euro Surveill. 2023;28(27)
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - July 27, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Eurosurveillance editorial team Source Type: research
Job vacancies at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - July 27, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Eurosurveillance editorial team Source Type: research
