1. |
- Broeker, Michael, et al.
(author)
-
Meningococcal serogroup Y emergence in Europe High importance in some European regions in 2012
- 2014
-
In: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. - : Landes Bioscience. - 2164-5515 .- 2164-554X. ; 10:6, s. 1725-1728
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neisseria meningitidis is differentiated into 12 distinct serogroups, of which A, B, C, W, X, and Y are medically most important and represent an important health problem in different parts of the world. The epidemiology of N. meningitidis is unpredictable over time and across geographic regions. Recent epidemiological surveillance has indicated an increase of serogroup Y invasive meningococcal disease in some parts of Europe as shown in the epidemiological data for 2010 and 2011 from various European countries previously published in this journal. 1,2 Here, data from 33 European countries is reported indicating that the emergence of serogroup Y continued in 2012 in various regions of Europe, especially in Scandinavia, while in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe the importance of serogroup Y remained low.
|
|
2. |
- Beeton, Michael L., et al.
(author)
-
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, 11 countries in Europe and Israel, 2011 to 2016
- 2020
-
In: Eurosurveillance. - : EUR CENTRE DIS PREVENTION & CONTROL. - 1025-496X .- 1560-7917. ; 25:2, s. 39-51
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia, with large epidemics previously described to occur every 4 to 7 years.Aim: To better understand the diagnostic methods used to detect M. pneumoniae; to better understand M. pneumoniae testing and surveillance in use; to identify epidemics; to determine detection number per age group, age demographics for positive detections, concurrence of epidemics and annual peaks across geographical areas; and to determine the effect of geographical location on the timing of epidemics.Methods: A questionnaire was sent in May 2016 to Mycoplasma experts with national or regional responsibility within the ESCMID Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections in 17 countries across Europe and Israel, retrospectively requesting details on M. pneumoniae-positive samples from January 2011 to April 2016. The Moving Epidemic Method was used to determine epidemic periods and effect of country latitude across the countries for the five periods under investigation.Results: Representatives from 12 countries provided data on M. pneumoniae infections, accounting for 95,666 positive samples. Two laboratories initiated routine macrolide resistance testing since 2013. Between 2011 and 2016, three epidemics were identified: 2011/12, 2014/15 and 2015/16. The distribution of patient ages for M. pneumoniae-positive samples showed three patterns. During epidemic years, an association between country latitude and calendar week when epidemic periods began was noted.Conclusions: An association between epidemics and latitude was observed. Differences were noted in the age distribution of positive cases and detection methods used and practice. A lack of macrolide resistance monitoring was noted.
|
|
3. |
- Lamagni, Theresa L, et al.
(author)
-
Epidemiology of severe Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Europe.
- 2008
-
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - 1098-660X. ; 46:7, s. 2359-2367
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The past two decades have brought worrying increases in severe Streptococcus pyogenes diseases globally. To investigate and compare the epidemiological patterns of these diseases within Europe, data on severe S. pyogenes infections were collected through an EU FP-5 funded programme (Strep-EURO). Prospective population-based surveillance of severe S. pyogenes infection diagnosed during 2003 and 2004 was undertaken in eleven countries across Europe (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Sweden, UK) using a standardised case definition. A total of 5522 cases of severe S. pyogenes infection were identified across the eleven countries during this period. Rates of reported infection varied, reaching 3/100,000 population in the northern European countries. Seasonal patterns of infections showed remarkable congruence between countries. Risk of infection was highest among the elderly, with rates being higher in males than females in most countries. Skin lesions/wounds were the most common predisposing factor, reported in 25% of cases; 21% had no predisposing factors reported. Skin and soft tissue was the most common focus of infection, 32% of patients having cellulitis and 8% necrotizing fasciitis. The overall 7-day case fatality rate was 19%, 44% among cases who developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Findings from Strep-EURO confirm a high incidence of severe S. pyogenes disease in Europe. Furthermore, these results have identified targets for public health intervention, as well as raising awareness of severe S. pyogenes disease across Europe.
|
|
4. |
- Luca, Bogdan, et al.
(author)
-
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Severe Streptococcus pyogenes Disease in Europe.
- 2009
-
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology. - 1098-660X. ; 47, s. 1155-1165
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In an attempt to compare the epidemiology of severe S. pyogenes infection within Europe, prospective data were collected through the Strep-EURO programme. Surveillance of severe S. pyogenes infection diagnosed during 2003 and 2004 was undertaken in eleven countries across Europe using a standardised case definition and questionnaire. Patient data as well as bacterial isolates were collected and characterized by T- and, M/emm-typing and selected strains were analysed for presence of superantigen genes. Data were analysed to compare the clinical and microbiological patterns of infections across participating countries. Totally 4353 isolates were collected from 5521 cases with severe S. pyogenes infection identified. It was wide diversity of M/emm-types (104) found among the S. pyogenes clinical isolates but M/emm-type distribution varied broadly between participating countries. The ten most predominant M/emm-types were 1, 28, 3, 89, 87, 12, 4, 83, 81, and 5 in descending order. A correlation was found between some specific disease manifestation, age of patients and emm-types. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, although caused by a large number of types, were particularly associated with M/emm-types 1 and 3. The emm-types included in the 26-valent vaccine under development, were generally well represented in the presentmaterial; 16 of the vaccine types accounted for 69% of isolates. The Strep-EURO collaborative programme has contributed to enhance the knowledge on the spread of invasive disease caused by S. pyogenes within Europe and encourage future surveillance with notification of cases and characterisation of strains, important for vaccine strategies and other health care issues.
|
|