| 1. |
- Andersson, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Seasonal variations in use and outcome of rapid antigen detection tests and cultures in pharyngotonsillitis : a register study in primary care
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of pharyngotonsillitis are commonly focused on group A streptococci (GAS), although the disease is often associated with other pathogens. While the incidence of pharyngotonsillitis is known to vary with season, seasonal variations in the prevalence of potential pathogens are sparsely explored. The aim of this study was to explore any seasonal variations in the use and outcome of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for GAS and throat cultures among patients diagnosed with pharyngotonsillitis in primary care.METHODS: We retrieved and combined retrospective data from the electronic medical record system and the laboratory information system in Kronoberg County, Sweden. Primary care visits resulting in a diagnosis of tonsillitis or pharyngitis were included, covering the period 2013-2016. The monthly rate of visits was measured, along with the use and outcome of RADTs for GAS and throat cultures obtained on the date of diagnosis. The variations between calendar months were then analysed.RESULTS: We found variations between calendar months, not only in the mean rate of visits resulting in a diagnosis of pharyngotonsillitis (p < 0.001), but in the mean proportion of RADTs being positive for GAS among the diagnosed (p < 0.001), and in the mean proportion of visits associated with a throat culture (p < 0.001). A lower mean rate of visits in August and September coincided with a lower proportion of RADTs being positive for GAS among them, which correlated with a higher proportion of visits associated with a throat culture.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the role of GAS in pharyngotonsillitis in Sweden is less prominent in August and September than during the rest of the year.
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| 2. |
- Ingberg, Edvin, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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16S metagenomics for bacterial identification versus cultures in acute pharyngotonsillitis patients and controls
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Sore throat/pharyngotonsillitis is a very common condition. While most cases are viral, the primary bacterial pathogen is group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Further, Fusobacterium necrophorum has over the last decade attracted attention. rnrnSequence-based techniques continue to gain ground in medical microbiology. To describe the microbiota in a sample, either the whole genomes (metagenomics) or marker genes/genomic regions (metataxonomics), such as the 16S rRNA gene, can be sequenced. Some studies have investigated how findings from these methods correspond to conventional microbiological methods for infectious diseases, such as cultures. However, no previous study has approached the condition acute pharyngotonsillitis this way.Methods: Throat samples from patients with acute sore throat (n=129) and controls (n=86), both groups aged 15-45, were collected. DNA was extracted and the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA genes were amplified using PCR. After normalization based on fragment analysis, and size selection with Ampure beads and PCR against adapter sequences coupled to the V3-V4 fragments, clonal amplifiction was performed with isothermal PCR. Finally, sequencing was performed on the Ion Torrent S5 XL. The SILVA database was used for taxonomic classification and the results were compared to culture findings for S. pyogenes and F. necrophorum, using Mann Whitney U tests.Results: Among the 215 samples, 46 patients and 1 of the controls were culture-positive for S. pyogenes. For F. necrophorum, 20 patients and 3 controls were culture-positive. Seven of the samples were culture-positive for both S. pyogenes and F. necrophorum. rnrnIn the metataxonomic analysis, S. pyogenes were significantly more abundant among patients than controls (p=0.0046), and in samples culture-positive for S. pyogenes, compared to culture-negative (p<0.0001).The percent of reads representing F. necrophorum were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p<0.001), as well as in culture-positive samples compared to culture-negative (p<0.0001). rnrnAlthough significant differences between culture-positive and culture-negative samples were seen, even among culture-positive samples the abundance of S. pyogenes or F. necrophorum were on average low (2,1% and 10,6%, respectively) and with large variation (0-49,8% and 0-76,1%, respectively).Conclusions: Findings from a metataxonomic 16S rRNA gene analysis differed regarding species of interest between groups based on symptoms of a sore throat or culture findings. However, the results were heterogeneous and difficult to interpret for a single sample.
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| 3. |
- Ingberg, Edvin, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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RT-PCR cycle threshold value in combination with visual scoring of chest computed tomography at hospital admission predicts outcome in COVID-19
- 2022
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Ingår i: Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2374-4235 .- 2374-4243. ; 54:6, s. 431-440
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has a most variable prognosis. Several risk factors for an unfavourable outcome have been identified including extensive lung involvement on chest CT and high viral load estimated by RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values. We investigated Ct value for outcome prediction, relation between Ct value and extent of lung involvement on chest CT and the combination of Ct value and chest CT lung involvement to predict outcome in COVID-19.METHODS: Population-based retrospective study on all patients (n = 286) hospitalised for COVID-19 in Örebro Region, Sweden, between 1 March and 31 August 2020. Nasopharyngeal samples and chest CT at hospital admission were evaluated in relation to outcome of COVID-19.RESULTS: Both Ct value and chest CT lung involvement were independently associated with risk for ICU admission or death. Lung involvement was superior as a single parameter, but addition of Ct value increased the prediction performance. Ct value was especially useful to identify patients with high risk for severe disease despite limited lung involvement.CONCLUSIONS: The addition of RT-PCR Ct value to the assessment of lung involvement on chest CT adds valuable prognostic information in COVID-19. We believe that this information can be used to support clinical decision-making when managing COVID-19 patients.
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| 4. |
- Saarentausta, Katariina, et al.
(författare)
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Potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national and regional incidence, epidemiology and diagnostic testing of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Sweden, 2020
- 2022
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Ingår i: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Munksgaard Forlag. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 130:1, s. 34-42
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the societies and health care systems globally, and resulted in many social and physical distancing restrictions to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. These restrictions have also likely affected the frequency of intimate contacts and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Compared to most other countries, Sweden especially in Spring-Autumn 2020 pursued mainly milder voluntary, i.e. not mandatory enforced by laws, recommended restrictions and the impacts of these on society and spread of STIs remain largely unknown. We describe the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national and regional incidence, epidemiology and diagnostic testing of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Sweden in 2020. Compared to 2019, we found a significant decrease in incidence of chlamydia (-4.5%) and gonorrhoea (-17.5%), and in diagnostic testing (-10.5% for chlamydia, -9.4% for gonorrhoea) in 2020. However, the decrease in chlamydia incidence, which has mainly been decreasing last 10 years, was not significant when compared with the average incidence in 2017-2019. The largest decrease in national incidence of both infections was observed among young and heterosexual patients, however some Swedish regions showed an increased incidence, particularly of chlamydia. Increased "internet-based self-sampling" testing approach partly compensated for a decreased attendance at STI clinics. Studies, including sexual behavior, prevention, reasons for attending STI health care, STIs in different anatomical sites, and management of STIs, are required to elucidate the impact of COVID-19-associated social and physical distancing restrictions on sexual activity and the incidence and epidemiology of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Sweden.
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| 5. |
- Säll, Olof, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Atypical presentation of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W disease is associated with the introduction of the 2013 strain
- 2021
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Ingår i: Epidemiology and Infection. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0950-2688 .- 1469-4409. ; 149
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Since 2015, the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by serogroup W (MenW) has increased in Sweden, due to the introduction of the 2013 strain belonging to clonal complex 11. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation of MenW infections, in particular the 2013 strain, including genetic associations. Medical records of confirmed MenW IMD cases in Sweden during the years 1995-2019 (n = 113) were retrospectively reviewed and the clinical data analysed according to strain. Of all MenW patients, bacteraemia without the focus of infection was seen in 44%, bacteraemic pneumonia in 26%, meningitis in 13% and epiglottitis in 8%, gastrointestinal symptoms in 48% and 4% presented with petechiae. Phylogenetic analysis was used for possible links between genetic relationship and clinical picture. The 2013 strain infections, particularly in one cluster, were associated with more severe disease compared with other MenW infections. The patients with 2013 strain infections (n = 68) were older (52 years vs. 25 years for other strains), presented more often with diarrhoea as an atypical presentation (P = 0.045) and were more frequently admitted for intensive care (P = 0.032). There is a risk that the atypical clinical presentation of MenW infections, with predominantly gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms rather than neck stiffness or petechiae, may lead to delay in life-saving treatment.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Säll, Olof, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence and persistence of Neisseria meningitidis carriage in Swedish university students
- 2023
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Ingår i: Epidemiology and Infection. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0950-2688 .- 1469-4409. ; 151
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis causes life-threatening disease worldwide, typically with a clinical presentation of sepsis or meningitis, but can be carried asymptomatically as part of the normal human oropharyngeal microbiota. The aim of this study was to examine N. meningitidis carriage with regard to prevalence, risk factors for carriage, distribution of meningococcal lineages and persistence of meningococcal carriage. Throat samples and data from a self-reported questionnaire were obtained from 2744 university students (median age: 23 years) at a university in Sweden on four occasions during a 12-month period. Meningococcal isolates were characterised using whole-genome sequencing. The carriage rate among the students was 9.1% (319/3488; 95% CI 8.2-10.1). Factors associated with higher carriage rate were age ≤22 years, previous tonsillectomy, cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol and attending parties, pubs and clubs. Female gender and sharing a household with children aged 0-9 years were associated with lower carriage. The most frequent genogroups were capsule null locus (cnl), group B and group Y and the most commonly identified clonal complexes (cc) were cc198 and cc23. Persistent carriage with the same meningococcal strain for 12 months was observed in two students. Follow-up times exceeding 12 months are recommended for future studies investigating long-term carriage of N. meningitidis.
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| 8. |
- Thulin Hedberg, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Invasive meningococcal disease in Sweden 2016
- 2017
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Ingår i: 14th Congress of the EMGM, European Meningococcal and Haemophilus Disease Society. - Prague : The European Meningococcal and Haemophilus Disease Society EMGM. - 9788090666238 ; , s. 69-69
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is notifiable in Sweden. The reporting system comprises of mandatory notification of cases and mandatory laboratory notification of samples to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm. All samples are sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria, Örebro for further typing and surveillance.In 2016, 62 cases of IMD (incidence 0.6/100 000 population) were reported in Sweden. Among the patients 58 % were females and 42 % males, aged from 1 month to95 years with mean age of 42 years. The incidence was highest, as in previous years, in the age group 15-19 years (2.1/100 000 population) followed by elderly ≥80 years (1.8/100 000 population) and infants ≤1 year (1.7/100 000 population). The case fatality rate increased in 2016 to 12.9 % compared with 7.5 % in 2015, eight people died from the disease (MenW, n=3; MenY, n=2; MenB, n=2 and MenC n=1). None of the IMD cases in 2016 had any epidemiological linkage.All 62 cases of IMD were laboratory confirmed: 54 were culture-confirmed, three PCR-confirmed and in five cases further typing data are missing because no samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria. The serogroup distribution was MenW (n=18, 31.5 %), MenY (n=18, 31.5 %), MenB (n=10, 17.5 %), MenC (n=10, 17.5 %) and one non-groupable isolate. The W:P1.5,2:F1-1:ST11 (cc11) (n=15) were predominant among the culture-confirmed meningococci during 2016 followed by Y:P1.5-2,10-1:F4-1:ST23 (cc23) (n=7) och Y:P1.5-1,2-2:F5-8:ST23 (cc23) (n=6). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed with Gradient test (Etest, BioMerieux). Decreased susceptibility to penicillin was seen in 30 % of the isolates (MIC >0,064 mg/L) of which one was resistant (MIC=0.5 mg/L). One of the isolates with decreased susceptibility to penicillin was also resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC=0.125 mg/L). All other isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and meropenem. No β-lactamase producing isolates has so far been found in Sweden.To conclude, the incidence of IMD continues to be relatively low in Sweden, however, a shift in the serogroup distribution of N. meningitidisin Sweden is ongoing; the previously dominating disease-causing MenB and MenC have been replaced, first by MenY which emerged in 2009 and since 2015 also by MenW. MenW has gone from only causing invasive disease in a few, 0-6 cases per year from 1990 onwards, to now being the dominating serogroup together with MenY in Sweden 2016.
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| 9. |
- Andersson, Madelen, et al.
(författare)
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Outbreak of a beta-lactam resistant non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae sequence type 14 associated with severe clinical outcomes
- 2015
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Ingår i: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2334. ; 15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: During October 2011 several residents and staff members at a long-term care facility (LTCF) for elderly fell ill with respiratory symptoms. Several of the residents required hospitalization and one died. Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) was identified as the causative pathogen. Methods: A descriptive analysis of the outbreak and countermeasures was performed. For each identified bacterial isolate implied in the outbreak, standard laboratory resistance testing was performed, as well as molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: The identified H. influenzae was beta-lactamase negative but had strikingly high MIC-values of ampicillin, cefuroxime and cefotaxime. All isolates displayed the same mutation in the ftsI gene encoding penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 3, and all but one were identified as sequence type 14 by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). In total 15 individuals in connection to the LTCF; 8 residents, 6 staff members and one partner to a staff member were colonized with the strain. Conclusion: This report illustrates the existence of non-typeable H. influenzae with high virulence, and furthermore emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance of possible outbreaks in health care facilities and prompt measures when outbreaks occur.
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| 10. |
- Campillay Lagos, Amaya, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of within-host evolution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by comparing cgMLST and SNP analysis approaches
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) provides high-resolution typing, facilitating surveillance and outbreak investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genomic variation rate in MRSA, by comparing commonly used core genome multilocus sequencing (cgMLST) against single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. WGS was performed on 95 MRSA isolates, collected from 20 carriers during years 2003-2019. To assess variation and methodological-related differences, two different cgMLST schemes were obtained using Ridom SeqSphere+ and the cloud-based 1928 platform. In addition, two SNP methods, 1928 platform and Northern Arizona SNP Pipeline (NASP) were used. The cgMLST using Ridom SeqSphere+ and 1928 showed a median of 5.0 and 2.0 allele variants/year, respectively. In the SNP analysis, performed with two reference genomes COL and Newman, 1928 showed a median of 13 and 24 SNPs (including presumed recombination) and 3.8 respectively 4.0 SNPs (without recombination) per individual/year. Accordantly, NASP showed a median of 5.5 and 5.8 SNPs per individual/year. In conclusion, an estimated genomic variation rate of 2.0-5.8 genetic events per year (without recombination), is suggested as a general guideline to be used at clinical laboratories for surveillance and outbreak investigations independently of analysis approach used.
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