Aktuelle smitsomme sygdomme

New research from Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin, however, is pointing to bacterial pneumonia as the cause of many severe COVID deaths. WebMD Health News…

Der var ikke flere voksne, der blev indlagt med alvorlige infektionssygdomme, efter de havde været smittet med covid-19. Det viser en ny stor undersøgelse fra Statens Serum Institut, hvor 78.000 indlæggelser er blevet analyseret.

A real-world study found that Pfizer\'s COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid is now less effective at preventing hospitalization or death in high-risk patients as compared with earlier studies. WebMD Health News…

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 17-23 September 2023 and includes updates on Nipah virus disease, severe floods, COVID-19, West Nile Virus, Poliomyelitis, and mass gathering monitoring for the Rugby World Cup 2023.

The research in people with rheumatic diseases could have wider implications, including a blood-based biomarker to predict higher risk. Medscape Medical News…

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of supplemental creatine for fatigue, tissue bioenergetics, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with post–COVID-19 fatigue syndrome. MDedge News…

A 64-year-old woman diagnosed with pneumonia had abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry cough, and night sweats. A year of inexplicable symptoms ended in an open biopsy and a live, stringlike worm. Medscape Medical News…

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 17-23 September 2023 and includes updates on Nipah virus disease, severe floods, COVID-19, West Nile Virus, Poliomyelitis, and mass gathering monitoring for the Rugby World Cup 2023.

I forbindelse med invitation til børneinfluenzavaccination og børnevaccinationsprogrammet er der i perioden fra 7. juli 2023 til 21. september 2023 beklageligvis sendt invitationer til forældre uden forældremyndighed.

BackgroundDespite childhood vaccine mandates imposed in 2018 in France, parental vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains frequent. Interventions in Quebec, Canada, applying motivational interviewing (MI) techniques have successfully reduced parents’ VH for childhood immunisations. AimTo determine whether MI intervention for mothers in maternity wards in the days after birth in France could significantly reduce VH, increase intentions to vaccinate (VI) their child at 2 months and reduce VH social inequalities. MethodsWe conducted a parallel-arm multicentre randomised controlled trial from November 2021 to April 2022 to compare impacts of MI performed by MI-trained midwives (intervention) vs a vaccination leaflet (control). We included 733 mothers from two maternity hospitals in south-eastern France, randomly assigned either arm. The validated Parents Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines questionnaire was used before and after MI or leaflet to assess mothers’ VH (13 items, 0–100 score) and VI (1 item, 1–10 score). Difference-in-difference (D-I-D) models were used to estimate net impact of MI vs leaflet for the entire sample and stratified by VH and education level. ResultsMotivational interview intervention reduced mothers\' VH score by 33% (p 

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the Danish National Institute for Infectious Disease, Statens Serum Institute (SSI) developed a home-based SARS-CoV-2 surveillance system. AimsWe wanted to determine whether a cohort of individuals performing self-administered swabs for PCR at home could support surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, including detection and assessment of new variants. We also aimed to evaluate the logistical setup. MethodsFrom May to July 2022, 10,000 blood donors were invited to participate, along with their household members. Participation required performing a self-swab for 4 consecutive weeks and answering symptom questionnaires via a web app. Swabs were sent by post to SSI for PCR analysis and whole genome sequencing. After study completion, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their experience. ResultsIn total, 2,186 individuals enrolled (47.4% blood donors), and 1,333 performed self-swabbing (53.0 blood donors), of whom 48 had at least one SARS-CoV-2-positive sample. Fourteen different Omicron subvariants, primarily BA.5 subvariants, were identified by whole genome sequencing (WGS). In total, 29 of the 63 SARS-CoV-2-positive samples were taken from individuals who were asymptomatic at the time of swabbing. Participants collected 2.9 swabs on average, with varying intervals between swabs. Transmission within households was observed in only three of 25 households. ConclusionParticipants successfully performed self-swabs and answered symptom questionnaires. Also, WGS analysis of samples was possible. The system can support surveillance of respiratory pathogens and also holds potential as a diagnostic tool, easing access to test for at-risk groups, while also reducing the burden on healthcare system resources. …

BackgroundThe sensitivity and specificity of selected antigen detection rapid diagnostic tests (AG-RDTs) for SARS-CoV-2 were determined in the unvaccinated population when the Delta variant was circulating. Viral loads, dynamics, symptoms and tissue tropism differ between Omicron and Delta. AimWe aimed to compare AG-RDT sensitivity and specificity in selected subgroups during Omicron vs Delta circulation. MethodsWe retrospectively paired AG-RDT results with PCRs registered in Czechia’s Information System for Infectious Diseases from 1 to 25 December 2021 (Delta, n = 20,121) and 20 January to 24 February 2022 (Omicron, n = 47,104). ResultsWhen confirmatory PCR was conducted on the same day as AG-RDT as a proxy for antigen testing close to peak viral load, the average sensitivity for Delta was 80.4% and for Omicron 81.4% (p 

On 5 April 2022, the United Kingdom reported an increase of cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children, several needing hospitalisation and some required liver transplant or died. Thereafter, 35 countries reported probable cases, almost half of them in Europe. Facing the alert, on 28 April, Portugal created a multidisciplinary Task Force (TF) for rapid detection of probable cases and response. The experts of the TF came from various disciplines: clinicians, laboratory experts, epidemiologists, public health experts and national and international communication. Moreover, Portugal adopted the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) case definition and recommendations. By 31 December 2022, 28 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology were reported: 16 male and 17 aged under 2 years. Of these cases, 23 were hospitalised but none required liver transplant or died. Adenovirus was detected from nine of 26 tested cases. No association was observed between adenovirus infection and hospital admission after adjusting for age, sex and region in a binomial regression model. The TF in Portugal may have contributed to increase awareness among clinicians, enabling early detection and prompt management of the outbreak. …

This report describes sepsis-related date rates among adults 65 years and older.

This report describes the circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in six African countries.

This report describes an increase in the number of emergency department visits for certain mental and behavioral health conditions among children 10-17 years during fall and spring school semesters.

This report describes two cases of thrombocytopenia in siblings after elemental mercury vapor exposure.

This report describes activities and progress toward polio eradication in Afghanistan during January 2022-June 2023. 2023.

Syphilis has been on the rise in the US for more than two decades. From 2017 to 2021, the number of cases shot up 75% (to 176,713), according to the CDC. Houston seems to be at the epicenter. WebMD Health News…

The summer-long surge of COVID-19 may be peaking in some parts of the US, according to wastewater monitoring. WebMD Health News…

The rate of long COVID for children is "strikingly low," less than 1%, say researchers. WebMD Health News…

Statement from ECDC Director Andrea Ammon on the current state of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 with the arrival of autumn and winter.

The biosimilar, commercially called Tyenne, is indicated to treat several autoimmune diseases as well as cytokine release syndrome and COVID-19. Medscape Medical News…

Primary care clinicians can provide optimal preventive care for patients at risk of contracting HIV. Medscape Medical News…

In a study widely reported earlier this month and published Monday in The Lancet, Japanese researchers raised concerns that BA.2.86 may be \'spreading silently worldwide.\' WebMD Health News…

The American College of Physicians has issued an updated version of its living, rapid practice point guideline on the best treatment options for outpatients with confirmed COVID-19. MDedge News…

A conversation with Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, about his new book, The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientist’s Warning. Medscape Medical News…