| 1. |
- Connolly-Andersson, Anne-Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Puumala virus infections associated with cardiovascular causes of death
- 2013
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Ingår i: Emerging Infectious Diseases. - : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). - 1080-6040 .- 1080-6059. ; 19:1, s. 126-128
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We studied the causes of death of patients in Sweden with diagnoses of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) during 1997–2009. Cardiovascular disorders were a common cause of death during acute-phase HFRS and were the cause of death for >50% of those who died during the first year after HFRS.
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| 2. |
- Gnann, J. W., et al.
(författare)
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Herpes Simplex Encephalitis: Lack of Clinical Benefit of Long-term Valacyclovir Therapy
- 2015
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Ingår i: Clinical Infectious Diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1058-4838 .- 1537-6591. ; 61:5, s. 683-691
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Despite the proven efficacy of acyclovir (ACV) therapy, herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Among patients with HSE treated with ACV, the mortality rate is approximately 14%-19%. Among survivors, 45%-60% have neuropsychological sequelae at 1 year. Thus, improving therapeutic approaches to HSE remains a high priority. Methods. Following completion of a standard course of intravenous ACV, 87 adult patients with HSE (confirmed by positive polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for herpes simplex virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid) were randomized to receive either valacyclovir (VACV) 2 g thrice daily (n = 40) or placebo tablets (n = 47) for 90 days (12 tablets of study medication daily). The primary endpoint was survival with no or mild neuropsychological impairment at 12 months, as measured by the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). Logistic regression was utilized to assess factors related to the primary endpoint. Results. The demographic characteristics of the 2 randomization groups were statistically similar with no significant differences in age, sex, or race. At 12 months, there was no significant difference in the MDRS scoring for VACV-treated vs placebo recipients, with 85.7% and 90.2%, respectively, of patients demonstrating no or mild neuropsychological impairment (P = .72). No significant study-related adverse events were encountered in either treatment group. Conclusions. Following standard treatment with intravenous ACV for PCR-confirmed HSE, an additional 3-month course of oral VACV therapy did not provide added benefit as measured by neuropsychological testing 12 months later in a population of relatively high-functioning survivors.
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| 3. |
- Lwande, Olivia Wesula, et al.
(författare)
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Experimental Infection and Transmission Competence of Sindbis Virus in Culex torrentium and Culex pipiens Mosquitoes from Northern Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. - : Mary Ann Liebert. - 1530-3667 .- 1557-7759. ; 19:2, s. 128-133
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne Alphavirus known to infect birds and cause intermittent outbreaks among humans in Fenno-Scandia. In Sweden, the endemic area has mainly been in central Sweden. Recently, SINV infections have emerged to northern Sweden, but the vectorial efficiency for SINV of mosquito species in this northern region has not yet been ascertained.Objective: Mosquito larvae were sampled from the Umea region in northern Sweden and propagated in a laboratory to adult stage to investigate the infection, dissemination, and transmission efficiency of SINV in mosquitoes.Materials and Methods: The mosquito species were identified by DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. Culex torrentium was the most abundant (82.2%) followed by Culex pipiens (14.4%), Aedes annulipes (1.1%), Anopheles claviger (1.1%), Culiseta bergrothi (1.1%), or other unidentified species (1.1%). Mosquitoes were fed with SINV-infected blood and monitored for 29 days to determine the viral extrinsic incubation period. Infection and dissemination were determined by RT-qPCR screening of dissected body parts of individual mosquitoes. Viral transmission was determined from saliva collected from individual mosquitoes at 7, 14, and 29 days. SINV was detected by cell culture using BHK-21 cells, RT-qPCR, and sequencing.Results: Cx. torrentium was the only mosquito species in our study that was able to transmit SINV. The overall transmission efficiency of SINV in Cx. torrentium was 6.8%. The rates of SINV infection, dissemination, and transmission in Cx. torrentium were 11%, 75%, and 83%, respectively.Conclusions: Cx. torrentium may be the key vector involved in SINV transmission in northern Sweden.
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| 4. |
- Lwande, Olivia Wesula, et al.
(författare)
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Mosquito-borne Inkoo virus in northern Sweden - isolation and whole genome sequencing
- 2017
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Ingår i: Virology Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1743-422X. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Inkoo virus (INKV) is a less known mosquito-borne virus belonging to Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus, California serogroup. Studies indicate that INKV infection is mainly asymptomatic, but can cause mild encephalitis in humans. In northern Europe, the sero-prevalence against INKV is high, 41% in Sweden and 51% in Finland. Previously, INKV RNA has been detected in adult Aedes (Ae.) communis, Ae. hexodontus and Ae. punctor mosquitoes and Ae. communis larvae, but there are still gaps of knowledge regarding mosquito vectors and genetic diversity. Therefore, we aimed to determine the occurrence of INKV in its mosquito vector and characterize the isolates.Methods: About 125,000 mosquitoes were collected during a mosquito-borne virus surveillance in northern Sweden during the summer period of 2015. Of these, 10,000 mosquitoes were processed for virus isolation and detection using cell culture and RT-PCR. Virus isolates were further characterized by whole genome sequencing. Genetic typing of mosquito species was conducted by cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene amplification and sequencing (genetic barcoding).Results: Several Ae. communis mosquitoes were found positive for INKV RNA and two isolates were obtained. The first complete sequences of the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments of INKV in Sweden were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the INKV genome was most closely related to other INKV isolates from Sweden and Finland. Of the three INKV genome segments, the INKV M segment had the highest frequency of non-synonymous mutations. The overall G/C-content of INKV genes was low for the N/NSs genes (43.8–45.5%), polyprotein (Gn/Gc/NSm) gene (35.6%) and the RNA polymerase gene (33.8%) This may be due to the fact that INKV in most instances utilized A or T in the third codon position.Conclusions: INKV is frequently circulating in northern Sweden and Ae. communis is the key vector. The high mutation rate of the INKV M segment may have consequences on virulence
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| 5. |
- Wilhelmsson, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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A prospective study on the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection after a tick bite in Sweden and On the Åland Islands, Finland (2008-2009)
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1877-959X .- 1877-9603. ; 7:1, s. 71-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a common and increasing tick-borne disease in Europe. The risk of acquiring a Borrelia infection after a tick bite is not fully known. Therefore, we investigated the incidence of Borrelia infection after a bite by a Borrelia-infected tick and if the Borrelia load and/or the duration of tick-feeding influenced the risk of infection. During 2008-2009, ticks and blood samples were collected from 1546 tick-bitten persons from Sweden and the Åland Islands, Finland. Follow-up blood samples were taken 3 months after the tick bite. The duration of tick feeding was microscopically estimated and Borrelia was detected and quantified in ticks by real-time PCR. Anti-Borrelia antibodies were detected in sera using ELISA tests and immunoblot. Five percent (78/1546) of the study participants developed Borrelia infection (LB diagnosis and/or seroconversion) after a tick bite (45% bitten by Borrelia-infected ticks and 55% bitten by uninfected ticks). Of these, 33 developed LB (whereof 9 also seroconverted) while 45 participants seroconverted only. Experience of non-specific symptoms was more frequently reported by Borrelia-infected participants compared to uninfected participants. All who seroconverted removed "their" ticks significantly later than those who did not. The Borrelia load in the ticks did not explain the risk of seroconversion. Regional and sex differences in the Borrelia seroprevalence were found. The risk of developing a Borrelia infection after a bite by a Borrelia-infected tick is small but increases with the duration of tick feeding.
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| 6. |
- Abdelrahim, Nada A., et al.
(författare)
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Human herpes virus type-6 is associated with central nervous system infections in children in Sudan
- 2022
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Ingår i: African Journal of Laboratory Medicine. - : AOSIS. - 2225-2002 .- 2225-2010. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Human herpes virus type-6 (HHV-6) is increasingly recognised as a febrile agent in children. However, less is known in sub-Saharan African countries, including Sudan.Objective: We investigated the involvement of HHV-6 in paediatric central nervous system (CNS) infections in Khartoum, Sudan.Methods: Febrile patients aged up to 15 years with suspected CNS infections at Omdurman Hospital for Children from 01 December 2009 to 01 August 2010 were included. Viral DNA was extracted from leftover cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens and quantitatively amplified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at Umeå University in Sweden.Results: Of 503 CSF specimens, 13 (2.6%) were positive for HHV-6 (33.0% [13/40 of cases with proven infectious meningitis]). The median thermal cycle threshold for all HHV-6-positive specimens was 38 (range: 31.9-40.8). The median number of virus copies was 281.3/PCR run (1 × 105 copies/mL CSF; range: 30-44 × 103 copies/PCR run [12 × 103 - 18 × 106 copies/mL CSF]). All positive patients presented with fever and vomiting; 86.0% had seizures. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1; 50.0% were toddlers, 42.0% infants and 8.0% teenagers. Most (83.0%) were admitted in the dry season and 17.0% in the rainy season. Cerebrospinal fluid leukocytosis was seen in 33.0%, CSF glucose levels were normal in 86.0% and low in 14.0%, and CSF protein levels were low in 14.0% and high in 43.0%.Conclusion: Among children in Sudan with CNS infections, HHV-6 is common. Studies on the existence and spread of HHV-6 chromosomal integration in this population are needed.
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| 7. |
- Abdelrahim, Nada Abdelghani, et al.
(författare)
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Viral meningitis in Sudanese children : differentiation, etiology and review of literature
- 2022
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Ingår i: Medicine. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0025-7974 .- 1536-5964. ; 101:46
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Diagnosis of viral meningitis (VM) is uncommon practice in Sudan and there is no local viral etiological map. We therefore intended to differentiate VM using standardized clinical codes and determine the involvement of herpes simplex virus types-1 and 2 (HSV-1/2), varicella zoster virus, non-polio human enteroviruses (HEVs), and human parechoviruses in meningeal infections in children in Sudan. This is a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Viral meningitis was differentiated in 503 suspected febrile attendee of Omdurman Hospital for Children following the criteria listed in the Clinical Case Definition for Aseptic/Viral Meningitis. Patients were children age 0 to 15 years. Viral nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) were extracted from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens using QIAamp® UltraSens Virus Technology. Complementary DNA was prepared from viral RNA using GoScriptTM Reverse Transcription System. Viral nucleic acids were amplified and detected using quantitative TaqMan® Real-Time and conventional polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Hospital diagnosis of VM was assigned to 0%, when clinical codes were applied; we considered 3.2% as having VM among the total study population and as 40% among those with proven infectious meningitis. Two (0.4%) out of total 503 CSF specimens were positive for HSV-1; Ct values were 37.05 and 39.10 and virus copies were 652/PCR run (261 × 103/mL CSF) and 123/PCR run (49.3 × 103/mL CSF), respectively. Other 2 (0.4%) CSF specimens were positive for non-polio HEVs; Ct values were 37.70 and 38.30, and the approximate virus copies were 5E2/PCR run (~2E5/mL CSF) and 2E2/PCR run (~8E4/mL CSF), respectively. No genetic materials were detected for HSV-2, varicella zoster virus, and human parechoviruses. The diagnosis of VM was never assigned by the hospital despite fulfilling the clinical case definition. Virus detection rate was 10% among cases with proven infectious meningitis. Detected viruses were HSV-1 and non-polio HEVs. Positive virus PCRs in CSFs with normal cellular counts were seen.
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| 8. |
- Affognon, Hippolyte, et al.
(författare)
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Ethnic groups' knowledge, attitude and practices and Rift Valley fever exposure in Isiolo County of Kenya
- 2017
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Ingår i: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1935-2727 .- 1935-2735. ; 11:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, affecting humans and livestock. For spread of infectious diseases, including RVF, knowledge, attitude and practices play an important role, and the understanding of the influence of behavior is crucial to improve prevention and control efforts. The objective of the study was to assess RVF exposure, in a multiethnic region in Kenya known to experience RVF outbreaks, from the behavior perspective. We investigated how communities in Isiolo County, Kenya were affected, in relation to their knowledge, attitude and practices, by the RVF outbreak of 2006/2007. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 698 households selected randomly from three different ethnic communities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices that could affect the spread of RVF. In addition, information was collected from the communities regarding the number of humans and livestock affected during the RVF outbreak. This study found that better knowledge about a specific disease does not always translate to better practices to avoid exposure to the disease. However, the high knowledge, attitude and practice score measured as a single index of the Maasai community may explain why they were less affected, compared to other investigated communities (Borana and Turkana), by RVF during the 2006/2007 outbreak. We conclude that RVF exposure in Isiolo County, Kenya during the outbreak was likely determined by the behavioral differences of different resident community groups. We then recommend that strategies to combat RVF should take into consideration behavioral differences among communities.
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| 9. |
- Ahlm, Clas, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Brain abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- 2000
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 32:5, s. 562-563
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A Swedish tourist was admitted to a Cuban hospital due to epileptic seizures caused by brain tumors. Upon return to Sweden and admission to our hospital, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated. He was later considered to be free of MRSA but then developed a brain abscess from which MRSA was isolated.
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| 10. |
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