Infectious Diseases In Europe Research Articles

Members of the paralogous gene family 12 from the Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi are non-specific DNA-binding proteins.

Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne infectious disease in Europe and the USA. Borrelia burgdorferi, as the causative agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted to the mammalian host during the tick blood meal. To adapt to the different encountered environments, Borrelia has adjusted the expression pattern of various, mostly outer surface proteins. The function of most B. burgdorferi outer surface proteins remains unknown. We determined the crystal structure of a previously uncharacterized B. burgdorferi outer surface protein BBK01, known to belong to the paralogous gene family 12 (PFam12) as one of its five members. PFam12 members are shown to be upregulated as the tick starts its blood meal. Structural analysis of BBK01 revealed similarity to the coiled coil domain of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein family members, while functional studies indicated that all PFam12 members are non-specific DNA-binding proteins. The residues involved in DNA binding were identified and probed by site-directed mutagenesis. The combination of SMC-like proteins being attached to the outer membrane and exposed to the environment or located in the periplasm, as observed in the case of PFam12 members, and displaying the ability to bind DNA, represents a unique feature previously not observed in bacteria.

Decision-support tools to build climate resilience against emerging infectious diseases in Europe and beyond.

Climate change is one of several drivers of recurrent outbreaks and geographical range expansion of infectious diseases in Europe. We propose a framework for the co-production of policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools that track past, present, and future climate-induced disease risks across hazard, exposure, and vulnerability domains at the animal, human, and environmental interface. This entails the co-development of early warning and response systems and tools to assess the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures across sectors, to increase health system resilience at regional and local levels and reveal novel policy entry points and opportunities. Our approach involves multi-level engagement, innovative methodologies, and novel data streams. We take advantage of intelligence generated locally and empirically to quantify effects in areas experiencing rapid urban transformation and heterogeneous climate-induced disease threats. Our goal is to reduce the knowledge-to-action gap by developing an integrated One Health-Climate Risk framework.

Aetiology of Community-Acquired Pneumonia and the Role of Genetic Host Factors in Hospitalized Patients in Cyprus.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains the leading cause of hospitalization among infectious disease in Europe, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In order to determine and characterize the aetiology of CAP in hospitalized adults in Cyprus, respiratory and blood samples were obtained from hospitalized patients with CAP, and analyzed using Multiplex Real-Time PCR/RT-PCR, and ID/AMR enrichment panel (RPIP) analysis. Probe-based allelic discrimination was used to investigate genetic host factors in patients. The aetiology could be established in 87% of patients. The most prevalent viral pathogens detected were influenza A, SARS-CoV-2, and human rhinovirus. The most common bacterial pathogens detected were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae. Antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in 23 patients. S. aureus was the most common AMR correlated strain in our study. A positive correlation was detected between bacterial infections and the NOS3 rs1799983 G allele and the FCGR2A rs1801274 G allele. A positive correlation was also detected between the TNF-α rs1800629 A allele and sepsis, while a negative correlation was detected with the ACE rs1799752 insertion genotype and the severity of pneumonia. In conclusion, the targeted NGS panel approach applied provides highly sensitive, comprehensive pathogen detection, in combination with antimicrobial resistance AMR insights that can guide treatment choices. In addition, several host factors have been identified that impact the disease progression and outcome.

No time for complacency on COVID-19 in Europe

No time for complacency on COVID-19 in Europe

Infektionskrankheiten bei Migranten

The current influx of refugees and the high rate of immigration increase the prevalence and impact of infectious diseases in Europe. Infections may be detected at first contact, as aresult of systematic screening or as part of general medical care. Diagnosis and treatment require special expertise and, in some cases, special precautions. The spectrum of imported infections is determined by the countries of origins of the migrants and the circumstances associated with their escape to Germany. In this article, diagnosis and treatment of the most important infectious diseases will be presented. As far as infectious diseases are concerned, refugees and migrants are not athreat to the host population, but instead have to be perceived and cared for as ahighly vulnerable group.

High consequence infectious diseases in Europe - the need for an expert clinical support service

High consequence infectious diseases in Europe - the need for an expert clinical support service

Боррелиоз как причина острого симптоматического эпилептического приступа у стационарного пациента: клинический случай

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is a multisystem inflammatory infectious disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans transmissively through the bite of a tick of the ixodic group. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in Europe. Depending on the time interval from the moment of the tick bite and before the development of clinical symptoms, both early and delayed symptoms are characteristic of borreliosis. Neurological manifestations (neuroborreliosis) occur in 3-15% of cases of infection with borreliosis [1] and, depending on the level of damage to the nervous system, they can manifest themselves in the form of polyradiculitis, meningitis and encephalitis. Neuroborreliosis is also characterized by both early (acute) and delayed clinical manifestations. Often, even after cured borreliosis, residual symptoms in the neurological status may persist. This clinical analysis will describe a clinical case of encephalitis in a patient with borreliosis and being treated in a coronavirus hospital.

Monkeypox outbreak in Madrid (Spain): Clinical and virological aspects

BackgroundMonkeypox is the most prevalent Orthopoxvirus zoonosis infection since the eradication of smallpox. The current multi-country outbreak involves five WHO regions affecting mainly Europe. Accurate clinical and virological aspects of the disease outside endemic areas are needed.MethodsWe performed an observational study of cases diagnosed in Madrid (Spain) (May/June 2022). Confirmation from vesicular lesions swabs, Orthopoxvirus real-time PCR, sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and direct detection by Electron microscopy was performed. In addition, a structured epidemiological questionnaire was completed systematically to gather sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral data from all confirmed cases.FindingsWe extracted data from 48 patients, all cisgender men. The median age was 35 years (IQR 29 – 44), and 87.5% were MSM. The most prevalent symptoms were the presence of vesicular-umbilicated and pseudo-pustular skin lesions (93.8%), asthenia (66.6%), and fever (52.1%). In addition, the location of the lesions in the genital or perianal area was related to the role in sexual intercourse (p<0.001). Sequencing analysis indicated the virus circulating in Spain belongs to the western African clade. Like the other European cases in the outbreak, the Spanish isolates are a direct descendant of viruses previously detected in Nigeria, the UK, Singapore, and Israel in 2017–2018.ConclusionsMonkeypox is an emerging infectious disease in Europe where community transmission is reported, mainly in MSM. The first symptom was skin lesions instead of classical fever and rash. The disease follows a self-limited course, and there have been no cases with a serious presentation or severe complications.

The epidemiology of infectious diseases in Europe in 2020 versus 2017–2019 and the rise of tick-borne encephalitis (1995–2020)

Health control measures instituted in 2020 to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the case numbers of many infectious diseases across Europe. One notable exception was tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). In Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, the upturn was significantly higher compared to the average of the three years previously (P<0.05), with increases of 88%, 48%, 51%, 28%, and 18%, respectively. Six countries reported TBE incidences of ≥5 cases/100,000, defined as highly endemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Possible factors contributing to this surge may include increased participation in outdoor activities in endemic regions and increased tick counts/tick activity. In highly endemic regions, the WHO recommends that vaccination be offered to all age groups, including children.

Incidence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected European Countries.

Ixodes ricinus ticks are one of the most important vectors and reservoirs of infectious diseases in Europe, and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one of the most dangerous human diseases transmitted by these vectors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the TBE incidence in some European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we analyzed the data published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and Eurostat on the number of reported TBE and COVID-19 cases in 2020 and TBE cases in 2015–2019 (reference period). Significant differences in the TBE incidence were found between the analyzed countries. The highest TBE incidence was found in Lithuania (25.45/100,000 inhabitants). A high TBE incidence was also observed in Central European countries. In 12 of the 23 analyzed countries, there was significant increase in TBE incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 compared to 2015–2019. There was no correlation between the incidence of COVID-19 and TBE and between the availability of medical personnel and TBE incidence in the studied countries. In conclusion, Central Europe and the Baltic countries are areas with a high risk of TBE infection. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed restrictions, the incidence of TBE is increasing in more than half of the analyzed countries.

Point of Care Testing for Infectious Disease in Europe: A Scoping Review and Survey Study.

Background: Point of care testing (POCT) for infectious diseases is testing conducted near the patient. It allows clinicians to offer the most appropriate treatment more quickly. As POCT devices have increased in accuracy and become more cost-effective, their use has grown, but a systematic assessment of their use for clinical and public health management of infectious diseases in EU/EEA countries has not been previously undertaken.Methods: A scoping review of the literature on POCT in EU/ EEA countries as at November 2019, and a survey of key stakeholders.Results: 350 relevant articles were identified and 54 survey responses from 26 EU/EEA countries were analysed. POCT is available for a range of infectious diseases and in all countries responding to the survey (for at least one disease). POCT is commonly available for influenza, HIV/AIDS, Legionnaires' disease and malaria, where it is used in at least half of EU/EEA countries. While POCT has the potential to support many improvements to clinical care of infectious diseases (e.g., faster diagnosis, more appropriate use of antimicrobials), the results suggest POCT is infrequently used to support public health functions (e.g., disease surveillance and reporting).Conclusion: Although POCT is in use to some extent in all EU/EEA countries, the full benefits of POCT in wider public health functions have yet to be realised. Further research on barriers and facilitators to implementation is warranted.

Climate change and infectious disease in Europe: Impact, projection and adaptation.

SummaryEuropeans are not only exposed to direct effects from climate change, but also vulnerable to indirect effects from infectious disease, many of which are climate sensitive, which is of concern because of their epidemic potential. Climatic conditions have facilitated vector-borne disease outbreaks like chikungunya, dengue, and West Nile fever and have contributed to a geographic range expansion of tick vectors that transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. Extreme precipitation events have caused waterborne outbreaks and longer summer seasons have contributed to increases in foodborne diseases. Under the Green Deal, The European Union aims to support climate change health policy, in order to be better prepared for the next health security threat, particularly in the aftermath of the traumatic COVID-19 experience. To bolster this policy process we discuss climate change-related hazards, exposures and vulnerabilities to infectious disease and describe observed impacts, projected risks, with policy entry points for adaptation to reduce these risks or avoid them altogether.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in August 2021

In August 2021, a total of 69 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 225 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were COVID-19 (225), dengue fever (27), measles (21), chikungunya fever (10) and cholera (8). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Marburg virus disease (100.0%), Middle East respiratory syndrome (34.4%), plague (23.3%), Lassa fever (20.5%) and yellow fever (16.7%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, measles, cholera and dengue fever. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus disease, cholera, plague, yellow fever, Lassa fever, poliomyelitis, malaria and measles, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, dengue fever and chikungunya fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe were COVID-19 and West Nile fever.

Acute arthritis of the right temporomandibular joint due to Lyme disease: a case report and literature review

BackgroundLyme disease is the most frequent tick-borne infectious disease in Europe. It often presents with a wide variety of symptoms. For this reason, affection of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by Lyme disease (LD) can be misdiagnosed as a common temporomandibular disorder (TMD).Case presentationThe purpose of this case report of a 25-year-old woman presenting to the Departments of Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with extensive symptoms of temporomandibular disorder is to illustrate the delayed diagnosis of Lyme disease which was only made after extensive therapy of the temporomandibular joint. The specialist literature only reports a few cases of patients suffering from Lyme disease with TMJ manifestations.ConclusionThis case report and the relevant literature review aim to emphasize the importance of accurate request of medical history and differential diagnosis of acute TMJ arthritis and arthralgia. Early interdisciplinary diagnosis of Lyme disease and early antibiotic therapy are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary, sometimes invasive, therapies.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic change the willingness to pay for an early warning system for infectious diseases in Europe?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for effective infectious disease outbreak prevention. This could entail installing an integrated, international early warning system, aiming to contain and mitigate infectious diseases outbreaks. The amount of resources governments should spend on such preventive measures can be informed by the value citizens attach to such a system. This was already recognized in 2018, when a contingent valuation willingness to pay (WTP) experiment was fielded, eliciting the WTP for such a system in six European countries. We replicated that experiment in the spring of 2020 to test whether and how WTP had changed during an actual pandemic (COVID-19), taking into account differences in infection rates and stringency of measures by government between countries. Overall, we found significant increases in WTP between the two time points, with mean WTP for an early warning system increasing by about 50% (median 30%), from around €20 to €30 per month. However, there were marked differences between countries and subpopulations, and changes were only partially explained by COVID-19 burden. We discuss possible explanations for and implication of our findings.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in May 2021

In May 2021, a total of 67 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 225 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19, 225), dengue fever (30), measles (29), poliomyelitis (15) and malaria (9). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (52.2%), Middle East respiratory syndrome (34.4%), lassa fever (20.3%), plague (6.0%) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (5.3%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, measles, dengue fever and cholera. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, plague, cholera, yellow fever, lassa fever and Rift valley fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe was COVID-19.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in January 2021

In January 2021, a total of 57 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 225 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, 225), dengue fever (27), measles (17), poliomyelitis (10) and chikungunya fever (10). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Rift Valley fever (34.3%), Ebola virus disease (33.3%), Lassa fever (22.2%), yellow fever (10.1%) and West Nile fever (6.8%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, cholera, dengue fever, Lassa fever and Ebola virus disease. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever, poliomyelitis and measles, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe was COVID-19.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in March 2021

In March 2021, a total of 58 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 225 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19)(225), dengue fever (29), measles (23), poliomyelitis (12) and salmonellosis (8). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (50.0%), Middle East respiratory syndrome (34.4%), plague (24.3%), Lassa fever (21.3%) and diphtheria (9.7%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, measles, cholera, Lassa fever and dengue fever. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, plague, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever and poliomyelitis, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe was COVID-19.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in April 2021

In April 2021, a total of 66 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 225 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19, 225), dengue fever (33), measles (26), poliomyelitis (10) and pneumococcal disease (7). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (51.4%), yellow fever (33.3%), lassa fever (20.5%), diphtheria (7.0%) and meningitis (5.4%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, cholera, measles, dengue fever and lassa fever. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, cholera, yellow fever, lassa fever and Rift valley fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe was COVID-19.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in February 2021

In February 2021, a total of 61 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 225 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19, 225), dengue fever (32), measles (16), poliomyelitis (14) and cholera (8). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (44.0%), Middle East respiratory syndrome (36.3%), Rift valley fever (34.3%), Lassa fever (22.8%) and plague (6.0%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, Lassa fever, plague, Ebola virus disease and cholera. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, plague, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever and poliomyelitis, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19 and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe was COVID-19.