Co-infection Rate Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of severe pneumonia caused by human bocavirus in children

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of severe pneumonia caused by human bocavirus (HBoV) infection to explore the associated risk factors.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of data from children hospitalized with HBoV pneumonia. Based on the severity of pneumonia, patients were categorized into severe pneumonia and non-severe pneumonia groups. Clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, chest imaging and pathogens were analyzed. Logistic regression was employed to identify the risk factors for severe HBoV pneumonia.ResultsA total of 334 patients were admitted, with 44 (13.17%) patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia and 290 (86.83%) with non-severe pneumonia. There were no significant differences in age distribution, presence of fever, lung moist rales, pleural effusion and reduced breath sounds between the two groups (all P > 0.05). 57.19% of the HBoV-positive children co-infected with other pathogens and HRV was the most common co-infected pathogens with HBoV. No significant differences were observed in the rate of co-infection between the two groups (χ2 = 0.50, p = 0.48). The univariate analysis revealed significant differences between the severe pneumonia group and the non-severe group in terms of gender distribution, presence of underlying chronic diseases, wheezing, premature delivery, lung wheezing rales, pneumothorax, bronchoscopy procedures, length of hospital stay, duration of symptoms prior to admission, neutrophil count, CRP levels, CKMB levels, IgA levels, CD3+(%), CD3+CD4+(%), CD3+CD8+%, and CD3−CD19+% (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified female gender, wheezing and neutrophil count were independent risk factors and the ratio of CD3+CD4+ cells was protective factor for severe HBoV pneumonia. The cut-off values of neutrophil count and the ratio of CD3+CD4+ cells were 6.81 × 109/L and 32.48 respectively.ConclusionOur study indicated that female gender, wheezing and neutrophil count greater than 6.81 × 109/L were independent risk factors and the ratio of CD3+CD4+ cells greater than 32.48 was protective factor for severe HBoV pneumonia.

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), remains a global health crisis, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where high human immune virus (HIV) prevalence exacerbates the problem. The co-infection of TB and HIV creates a deadly combination, increasing susceptibility and complicating disease progression and treatment. Ethiopia, classified as a high-burden country, faces significant challenges despite efforts to reduce co-infection rates. The rise of multidrug-resistant TB further complicates diagnosis and management, highlighting the urgent need for intensified efforts to combat this dual epidemic.MethodsStudies searched through the search engine of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar. Data from included studies was extracted, organized in Excel, and then analyzed using STATA 17. The overall effect across all studies was calculated using a random-effect model. Potential publication bias and heterogeneity in the results between studies were assessed using Egger’s test, forest plot, and I² statistic, respectively.ResultsAccording to this systematic review and meta-analysis, the overall prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB) among adults living with human immune virus /aquered immune deficieciency syndrome(HIV/AIDS) in Ethiopia was 15% (95% CI: 8-23%). Several factors were independently associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, including CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ (OR = 4.491, 95% CI: 1.0001–8.132), WHO clinical stage III (OR = 4.487, 95% CI: 2.264–6.710)), WHO clinical stage IV (OR = 6.905, 95% CI: 5.239–8.571), smokers (AOR = 3.749, 95% CI: 2.626–5.271), ambulatory adults (AOR = 1.887, 95% CI: 1.439–2.335).ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant 15% pooled prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. The prevalence was notably higher in individuals with lower CD4 counts, advanced HIV stages (III and IV), and in smokers. These findings underscore the need for early detection, targeted interventions, and integrated TB control programs with HIV care to mitigate the burden of PTB in this population.

Seroprevalence and molecular surveillance for dengue virus infections among febrile patients and mosquito vectors in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: Dengue fever is a leading cause of illness and death in tropical and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 390 million dengue infections each year, of which 96 million manifest apparently. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular surveillance of dengue viral infections among febrile patients and mosquito vectors in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted between February and July 2024 in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Four hundred serum samples from febrile patients of all ages and mosquito vectors were collected. Serum samples were analyzed using DENV RDT kit for IgM and IgG and RT-PCR, while the mosquito samples were subjected to only RT-PCR. Malaria co-infection was detected using an RDT kit confirmed microscopically. Chi-square tool was used to determine the association between socio-demographics, clinical features and risk factors among the febrile patients. Result: Of the 400 participants, 126(31.5%) were males and 274(68.5%) were females. Dengue IgG was detected in 223/400(55.8%), while DENV IgM was found in 12/400(3.0%), and 165/400(41.3%) had neither IgG nor IgM. Co-infections with malaria were found in 70/400(31.4%) for IgG and 4/400(33.3%) for IgM. All serum samples and mosquitoes were negative for DENV RNA by RT-PCR. The highest infection rates for IgM were in the 11-20 and 21-30 age groups. Environmental and behavioral factors, such as improper water storage and proximity to bushes were not significantly associated with dengue seropositivity. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that dengue virus is circulating in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The high rate of coinfection between DENV IgM and malaria, advocates for routine serological screening of febrile patients for both infections, improved diagnostic capacity, and targeted public health interventions to control and prevent dengue outbreaks. Therefore, dengue virus tests should be included in the routine test for aetiology of fever to avoid misdiagnosis

Knowledge About HIV-AIDS and Co-infection Rate Among HIV-AIDS Patients: A Study Among Different Community Clinics of Chattogram District, Bangladesh

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Following initial infection, a person may not notice any symptoms, or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Typically, this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms. If the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of developing common infections such as tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections. Objective: To reveal the Clinical Conditions and Co-infection rates by different infectious agents among the patients of HIV-AIDS. Materials &amp; Methods: It is a descriptive type of cross-sectional study. A pre-tested, semi structured and modified interview administrated questionnaire was used to collect data. Non - randomized, sequential, and purposive and plenitude sampling methods have been tried by following face to face interview of the participants. Results &amp; Discussions: In this study the percentage of male was 63% and the percentage of female was 37%. 49% respondents were in 33-47 years of age groups. In this study 55% respondents were up to primary education. We found out that 36% of the respondents were part-time workers. It was seen that 44% respondents’ monthly family income was between 10,000 – 20,000 BDT. It was observed that 98% of the respondents knew about HIV/AIDS. It was observed that 63% of the respondents knew about the causative agent of HIV/AIDS. Majority of the respondents were HIV positive for more than 3 years.51% of the respondents were informed that HIV/AIDS is not infectious. 82% of the respondents were aware that HIV/AIDS is not curable by drugs. 71% of the respondents knew about the symptoms of HIV/AIDS. 92% respondents in unsafe physical relation HIV/AIDS transmits. Here maximum respondents had different infections. Conclusion: It was seen that the respondents of this study did not have knowledge on HIV/AIDS at satisfactory level. Still a portion of them is wrong and replied incorrect answers or did not know about different issues regarding HIV-AIDS though some of them were replying satisfactorily. Keywords: HIV, Community Clinics, Tuberculosis (TB), Antiretroviral Therapy, Cancer.

Investigation of Hyalomma turanicum and Hyalomma asiaticum in Pakistan, with notes on the detection of tickborne Rickettsiales

There is limited information on the occurrence of Hyalomma turanicum and Hyalomma asiaticum ticks, as well as associated Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in Pakistan. Addressing this knowledge gap, the current study aimed at morphomolecular confirmation of these ticks and molecular assessment of associated Rickettsiales bacteria (Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia spp.) in Balochistan, Pakistan. A total of 314 ticks were collected from 74 of 117 (63.2%) hosts, including 41 of 74 (55.4%) goats and 33 of 74 (44.5%) sheep. Subsequently, a subset of microscopically identified ticks was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR to amplify 16S rDNA and cox1 fragments. Additionally, gltA, ompA, and ompB fragments were targeted for Rickettsia spp. and 16S rDNA fragments for both Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. The 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences of Hy. turanicum demonstrated 100% identity with those of the same species previously reported from Pakistan. The 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences of Hy. asiaticum exhibited 99.52 and 100% identities, respectively, with corresponding species reported from China, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. The gltA, ompA, and ompB fragments associated with Hy. turanicum showed 100% identities with Rickettsia aeschlimannii reported from Egypt, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Pakistan, and Senegal. The 16S rDNA sequences of Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia sp. associated with both Hy. asiaticum and Hy. turanicum exhibited 99.67 and 100% identities with unknown Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia sp. reported from Morocco and Pakistan, respectively. In the 16S rDNA and cox1 phylogenetic trees of ticks, Hy. turanicum and Hy. asiaticum from the current study clustered with their respective species. Similarly, in gltA, ompA, and ompB phylogenetic trees of Rickettsia, R. aeschlimannii of the present study clustered with the same species, whereas Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia sp. of this study clustered with undetermined Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in the 16S rDNA phylogenetic tree of Anaplasmataceae. Among the DNA samples from the screened ticks, a coinfection rate of R. aeschlimannii, Anaplasma sp., and Ehrlichia sp. (2 of 80, 2.5%) was observed in Hy. turanicum, whereas individual infection rates were noted as follows: R. aeschlimannii (8 of 80, 10%), Anaplasma sp. (5 of 80, 6.3%), and Ehrlichia sp. (5 of 80, 6.3%). This study marks the first record of molecular characterization of Hy. turanicum and Hy. asiaticum as well as the detection of associated R. aeschlimannii, Anaplasma sp., and Ehrlichia sp. in Balochistan, Pakistan.

Respiratory Pathogen Coinfection During Intersecting COVID-19 and Influenza Epidemics.

Respiratory pathogen coinfections pose significant challenges to global public health, particularly regarding the intersecting epidemics of COVID-19 and influenza. This study investigated the incidences of respiratory infectious pathogens in this unique context. We collected throat swab samples from 308 patients with a fever from outpatient and emergency departments at sentinel surveillance hospitals in Xiamen, southeast of China, between April and May 2023, testing for SARS-CoV-2 and 26 other respiratory pathogens. The coinfection rate of the XBB SARS-CoV-2 variant with other respiratory pathogens was higher than that observed during the Alpha and Delta phases. Among patients with influenza, bacterial coinfections were more prevalent. Only 0.65% (2/308) of the patients were concurrently infected with both COVID-19 and influenza. Age-stratified analysis showed a clear pattern, with a higher incidence of coinfections in children under 18 years of age. These findings highlight the need for the timely detection of respiratory pathogen coinfections and for the implementation of appropriate interventions, crucial for reducing disease burden during intersecting respiratory epidemics.

Self-collected penile-meatal swabs are suitable for the detection of STIs in Ugandan men with high rates of STI coinfections

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a global health challenge. Testing is not routinely performed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which bear a disproportionate burden of STIs. Self-collected penile-meatal swabs...

Rising challenges in periprosthetic joint infections: a focus on rare pathogens and their clinical implications.

The study aimed to evaluate differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) attributed to rare versus common pathogens. Data on PJI patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty at our center from April 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. Among the 219 enrolled patients, we compared 32 cases of PJI caused by rare pathogens with 187 controls of PJI caused by common pathogens, analyzing demographic information, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes. In demographic data, the Charlson comorbidity index and preoperative invasive procedures were identified as risk factors for rare pathogen PJI. Clinically, the rare pathogen cohort exhibited a significantly higher rate of sinus tract formation compared to those with common bacteria PJI. In terms of laboratory findings, the mean serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly lower in the rare pathogen group. This cohort also had a significantly lower culture positivity rate and a higher rate of polymicrobial co-infections. The median hospital stay was statistically longer for rare pathogen PJI cases than for those with common bacteria PJI. Furthermore, the rare pathogen group required longer antibiotic treatments and had higher rates of antibiotic-related adverse events, although reinfection rates did not significantly differ. PJI caused by rare pathogens exhibits distinct clinical presentations. With advances in diagnostic techniques such as metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), optimized culture methods, and an interdisciplinary approach facilitating early targeted treatment, rare pathogen PJIs may achieve outcomes comparable to those of typical cases.

Analysis of coinfections in patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 by next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

BackgroundCoinfections in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affect patient prognosis. Patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs) are usually immunosuppressed and may be at high risk of coinfection, but few related data have been reported. Here, we conducted a retrospective study to explore coinfections in patients with HMs and COVID-19 by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).MethodsThe data of hospitalized patients with pneumonia who underwent NGS analysis of BALF were reviewed. COVID-19 patients with HMs were enrolled in the HM group, and those without HMs were enrolled in the non-HM group. The coinfections of the two groups identified by NGS were analyzed.ResultsFifteen patients were enrolled in the HM group, and 14 patients were enrolled in the non-HM group. The coinfection rates in the HM group and non-HM group were 80.0% and 85.7%, respectively. The percentage of coinfected bacteria in the HM group was significantly lower than that in the non-HM group (20.0% vs 71.4%, p = 0.005). The coinfection rates of fungi and viruses were 60.0% and 35.7%, respectively, in the HM group and 35.7% and 78.6%, respectively, in the non-HM group, with no significant differences. The most common coexisting pathogen in patients with HMs was Pneumocystis jirovecii (33.3%), and the most common coexisting pathogen in patients without HMs was human gammaherpesvirus 4 (50%). Coinfection with herpesviruses occurred frequently in both groups.ConclusionsOur study showed that the majority of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are likely to be co-infected with other pathogens. Pneumocystis jiroveci and herpesvirus are commonly coinfected pathogens in patients with HMs. Bacterial coinfection is rare in patients with HMs but is more common in patients without HMs.

Temporal Changes in Tick-Borne Pathogen Prevalence in Questing Ixodes ricinus Across Different Habitats in the North-Eastern Italian Alps.

Changes in land use, climate, and host community are leading to increased complexity in eco-epidemiological relationships and the emergence of zoonoses. This study investigates the changes in the prevalence of several Ixodes ricinus-transmitted pathogens in questing ticks over a 10-year interval (2011-2013, 2020) in natural and agricultural habitats of the Autonomous Province of Trento (North-eastern Alps), finding an average prevalence of infection of 27.1%. Analysis of 2652 ticks, investigating four infectious agents (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Babesia spp.), revealed the circulation of 11 different zoonotic pathogens, with varying infection rates across different years and habitats. In 2020, we found a decrease in Anaplasma phagocytophilum, associated with agricultural habitats, and Rickettsia spp., found in all habitats. In the same year, Babesia spp. increased in both habitats, similar to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, which was related to natural habitats. Co-infections were identified in 8% of positive-tested ticks with different spatiotemporal associations, primarily in natural settings. Our results provide new evidence that the risk of infection with tick-borne pathogens in the Alpine region varies over time and in different environments, broadening the current information on co-infection rates and the circulation of zoonotic pathogens, previously not reported in this area.

Intestinal Parasitic Infections of Stray Dogs on the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten/St. Martin

Abstract The island of St. Maarten/St. Martin has a big stray dog population, with many roaming and non-sterilised owned dogs. Faecal samples from 111 dogs, including 70 puppies and 41 adult dogs, underwent coprological examination including flotation. Collection occurred from July through September of 2022. The infection rate of 92.8 % was higher than that reported in the previous Caribbean studies. The species found were Cystoisospora spp., Giardia intestinalis, species from the family Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, and Dipylidium caninum. Ancylostomatidae family had the highest prevalence at 75.7 %. The high T. canis (42.3 %) and D. caninum (13.5 %) rates were attributed to the young age of the sample population in this study. Conversely, the low T. vulpis (10 %) rate was attributed to its long prepatency period, as eggs only shed from older puppies and dogs. Cystoisospora spp. were the most prevalent protozoan parasite at 10.8 %. The total coinfection rate was 45.9 %, with the most being 5 different species. It was determined that the parasite burden on the island is high and is likely to benefit from animal welfare interventions.

Significance of respiratory virus coinfection in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

ObjectiveMycoplasma pneumoniae is a major causative pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia. Respiratory viral coinfections in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) are not uncommon and cause severe clinical manifestations. This study aims to investigate the impacts of viral coinfection in MPP patients and hopes to offer novel insights for discriminating between MPP and MPP coinfection.MethodsThis study recruited 748 children hospitalized for MP pneumonia between January 2021 and October 2023. Patients were classified into two groups: MPP coinfected with respiratory virus group and MPP group. All children underwent polymerase chain reaction testing for respiratory pathogens. Baseline clinical features and demographic data were obtained retrospectively through medical records.ResultsThe retrospective study included 748 patients, with a viral coinfection rate of 38.75%. Patients in the MPP coinfected with respiratory virus group have a higher disease burden than those in the non-coinfection group. Our findings indicate that patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia co-infected with respiratory viruses had longer hospital stays and prolonged fever post-admission, as well as more severe conditions and a higher incidence of extrapulmonary complications. MPP coinfection was associated with the following factors: patients with extrapulmonary complications of gastroenteritis (OR = 4.474, 95%CI = 1.733–11.554, P = 0.002), longer hospital stay (OR = 1.109, 95%CI = 1.012–1.217, P = 0.027), longer days of fever after admission (OR = 1.215 95%CI = 1.006–1.469, P = 0.043), elevated white blood cell count (OR = 1.332 95%CI = 1.082–1.640, P = 0.007), decreased neutrophil count (OR = 0.768 95%CI = 0.602–0.981, P = 0.035), higher fibrinogen levels (OR = 1.652 95%CI = 1.138–2.398, P = 0.008), and raised lactate dehydrogenase levels (OR = 1.007 95%CI = 1.003–1.011, P = 0.001).ConclusionsWe determined the clinical significance of respiratory viral coinfection in children with MPP. Timely identification of MPP coinfection and provision of early and comprehensive therapeutic measures are vital in shortening the disease severity and improving prognosis.

Retrospective epidemiologic and genomic surveillance of arboviruses in 2023 in Brazil reveals high co-circulation of chikungunya and dengue viruses

BackgroundThe rapid spread and increase of chikungunya (CHIKV) and dengue (DENV) cases in Brazilian regions in 2023 has raised concerns about the impact of arboviruses on public health. Epidemiological and genomic surveillance was performed to estimate the introduction and spread of CHIKV and DENV in Brazil.MethodsThis study obtained results from the Hermes Pardini (HP), a private medical laboratory, and the Health Department of Minas Gerais state (SES-MG). We investigated the positivity rates of CHIKV and DENV by analyzing the results of 139,457 samples tested for CHIKV (44,029 in 2022 and 95,428 in 2023) and 491,528 samples tested for DENV (163,674 in 2022 and 327,854 in 2023) across the five representative geographical regions of Brazil. Genome sequencing was performed on 80 CHIKV and 153 DENV samples that had been positive for RT-PCR tests.ResultsIn our sampling, the data from CHIKV tests indicated that the Northeast region had the highest regional positivity rate in 2022 (58.1%). However, in 2023, the Southeast region recorded the highest positivity rate (40.5%). With regard to DENV, the South region exhibited the highest regional positivity rate in both 2022 (40.8%) and 2023 (22.7%), followed by the Southeast region in both years (34.8% in 2022; 21.4% in 2023). During the first 30 epidemiological weeks of 2023 in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), there was a 5.8-fold increase in CHIKV cases and a 3.5-fold increase in DENV compared to the same period in 2022. Analysis of 151 new DENV-1 and 80 CHIKV genomes revealed the presence of three main clusters of CHIKV and circulation of several DENV lineages in MG. All CHIKV clades are closely related to genomes from previous Brazilian outbreaks in the Northeast, suggesting importation events from this region to MG. We detected the RNA of both viruses in approximately 12.75% of the confirmed positive cases, suggesting an increase of co-infection with DENV and CHIKV during the period of analysis.ConclusionsThese high rates of re-emergence and co-infection with both arboviruses provide useful data for implementing control measures of Aedes vectors and the urgent implementation of public health politics to reduce the numbers of CHIKV and DENV cases in the country.

Respiratory Viral Infection Patterns in Hospitalised Children Before and After COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

In this single-centre retrospective study, the virological readouts of adenovirus (AdV), influenza virus A (IAV), influenza virus B (IBV), parainfluenza viruses (PIV) 1, 2, 3, 4, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coupled enterovirus and rhinovirus (EV/RV) were extracted from the respiratory specimens of paediatric patients in Hong Kong from January 2015 to February 2024. The subjects were stratified into five age groups. The study included 18,737 and 6001 respiratory specimens in the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 mask mandate period, respectively. The mean age of hospitalised patients increased from 3.49 y ± 0.03 y to 4.37 y ± 0.05 y after the COVID-19 lockdown. The rates of single-virus infection and co-infection were significantly higher in the post-COVID-19 mask mandate period. The odds ratio for AdV for all age groups (OR: 4.53, 4.03, 2.32, 2.46, 1.31) and RSV in older children from 3 years old and above (OR: 1.95, 3.38, p < 0.01) were significantly elevated after the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings suggest that public health measures to contain COVID-19 may have unintended consequences on children's natural exposure and immunity to other respiratory viruses, potentially increasing their morbidity in the post-pandemic era.

Comparative analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of adenovirus, rotavirus A, and coinfection in children during 2014–2023 in Guangzhou, China

BackgroundInfection is the cause of diarrhoea, and rotaviruses and adenoviruses are important pathogens in children.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 144,067 children with diarrhoea between 2014 and 2023 in China. We used the colloidal gold method to detect intestinal adenovirus and rotavirus A antigens in faeces. The epidemiological characteristics of these viruses and the impact of meteorological factors on them were analysed before and after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.ResultsDuring this decade, the positive rate of adenovirus infection was 6.41%, while the positive rate of rotavirus A infection was 11.81%, higher than that of adenovirus infection. The positive rate of adenovirus and rotavirus A coinfection was 1.92%. The positive rates of adenovirus, rotavirus A and coinfection showed a fluctuating trend, and suddenly decreased in 2020. There was an apparent decrease of positive rate of rotavirus A, with a decrease of 57.27%, during 2020–2023. Surprisingly, the positive rate of adenovirus infection exceeded that of rotavirus A infection in 2021 and 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of female patients and children over two years of age infected with adenovirus or rotavirus A increased, while the proportion of cases in winter decreased. In addition, we found that the positive rate of rotavirus A infection was related to average temperature and sunshine, and the positive rate of adenovirus and rotavirus A coinfection was only related to sunshine. However, these correlations disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsThis study revealed the recent prevalence of adenovirus and rotavirus A infections in children with diarrhoea in south-central China and provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of viral diarrhoea.

PCV2 AND PCV3 GENOTYPING IN WILD BOARS FROM SERBIA

Porcine circoviruses 2 and 3 (PCV2 and PCV3) are known agents of diseases in domestic pigs and wild boars. PCV2 is an economically important pathogen causing porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), while the recently discovered PCV3 is associated with similar disorders. Wild boars can serve as a PCV reservoir for domestic pigs, which is a particular risk for pig farms with low biosecurity. Reports of these infections in Serbia are sporadic, and this study was intended as a follow-up to an earlier study. Our aim was to assess the prevalence and genetic characteristics of PCVs circulating in wild boars in a region in north-eastern Serbia with extensive hunting areas. In our study of 103 samples, 17.48% tested positive for PCV2 and 15.53% for PCV3. The low co-infection rates in 2.94% of the PCR-positive samples, suggests these viruses circulate independently. PCV2 prevalence was lower than in our previous study (40.32% out of 124 samples), but the genetic stability of circulating strains was detected with a clear genotype shift towards PCV2d-2. Moreover, this is the first report of PCV3 occurrence in wild boar in Serbia, and the detected strains were grouped into two genotypes: PCV3-1 and PCV3-3c. The PCV3-1 sequences were clustered with German strains, indicating the prevalence of this genotype in Europe. However, no further geographical correlation could be established, as the PCV3-3c representative was separated within the cluster containing Chinese and Indian strains. Furthermore, there was no correlation between PCV positivity and pathological findings in the sampled animals indicating subclinical infection.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Hemocultures of Patients Attended in a Campaign Hospital During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Primary bloodstream infections are most commonly related to health care and are associated with intravascular devices, increasing patient mortality, length of stay, and health care costs. Among the complications of hospitalizations for COVID-19, bloodstream infection is one of the most prevalent, requiring prevention and early treatment. Due to the contingency of hospital resources during the pandemic, understanding the prevalence and incidence of antimicrobial agents that cause bloodstream infections and using exams judiciously are essential public health measures, avoiding the misuse of antimicrobials and being able to establish treatment. Objective: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and the prevalence of etiological agents of bloodstream infections in patients with COVID-19 at the field hospital in the city of São Bernardo do Campo - SP. Method: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on the results of blood cultures already collected for diagnostic purposes from patients from May to August 2020 at the same hospital. Results: Of the 300 blood cultures analyzed, 73.7% of the samples showed no bacterial growth. Among the others, the main bacteria found were Klebsiella pneumoniae, sensitive to tigecycline, present in 30 (10%), followed by Staphylococcus sp. (coagulase-negative, non-lugdunensis), sensitive only to doxycycline, gentamicin, tetracycline, and vancomycin, in only 2 (14.3%) samples. Conclusion: In this study, a low rate of laboratory-confirmed bacterial coinfection was identified in patients with COVID-19.

Characterization of virus species associated with sweet potato virus disease in Costa Rica and riboprobe development for its rapid detection

AbstractSweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a crucial crop for food security and economic stability in many regions, including Costa Rica. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of two major viruses associated with sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) in Costa Rica: sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV). A total of 50 leaf samples displaying typical viral disease symptoms were collected from major sweet potato‐growing regions. Using multiplex reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR, SPFMV was detected in 82% of the samples and SPCSV in 52%, with a coinfection rate of 48%. Genetic analysis revealed that SPFMV isolates belonged predominantly to phylogenetic group B, while SPCSV isolates clustered with the West African (WA) strain. The low genetic diversity within these viral populations suggests a limited number of initial infection events followed by local spread. Riboprobe technology was evaluated as an alternative to RT‐PCR for virus detection. While the riboprobes for SPFMV demonstrated sensitivity comparable to RT‐PCR, the SPCSV riboprobes showed slightly lower sensitivity, particularly when using crude leaf extracts. Despite this, riboprobes offer significant advantages in terms of cost and ease of use for large‐scale screening. Our findings underscore the need for robust diagnostic and management strategies to control SPVD and highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and research to mitigate the impact of viral diseases on sweet potato production in Costa Rica. These insights contribute to the global understanding of SPVD and support collaborative efforts in plant pathology research.

Viral Loads of Pneumoviruses: Correlation With Coinfection Rates and Disease Severity.

We looked at the interactions between viral loads, coinfection rates and disease severity for children infected with two pneumoviruses: human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The HMPV RNA load in nasopharyngeal swabs of hospitalized children was significantly higher in mono-infections compared to coinfections but this was not the case for RSV, which could be explained by different innate immune responses. Also, the viral load of neither of the two viruses was associated with disease severity although RSV-infected children had higher severity scores than HMPV-infected children.

Circulating respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2 during 2021-2022 season in Tunisia: Epidemiological and dynamic changes

BackgroundChanging patterns in community respiratory virus activity were reported in different geographical locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of circulating respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, during the season 2021-2022 in Tunisia. MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 328 nasopharyngeal samples received at the Triage Center of Habib Bourguiba Hospital from patients with acute respiratory symptoms during September 2021-May 2022. All samples were screened for both SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory viruses. This latter detection was performed using end-point multiplex RT-PCRs, Real-Time PCR, and AllplexTM Respiratory Panel 1 kit (Seegene) for Influenza Virus A (IFVA) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) subtyping. ResultsAmong included patients, at least one viral pathogen was identified in 118 (35.9%) patients. The detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 was 21.6%. A low viral coinfection rate was observed (3.3%). The most prevalent pathogen among non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses was Enterovirus/Rhinovirus (HEV/HRV) (59.6%) followed by IFVA (15.3%) and Adenoviruses (ADV) (11.5%). Only IFVA H3N2 was found to circulate during the study period. A negative virus interaction was eventually induced by SARS-CoV-2, as it was shown by lower levels of activity of non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses (not exceeding 17.7%) while infections due to pandemic Omicron variants of concern became widespread. ConclusionsThis study highlights the relative return of community IFVA circulation during the 2021-2022 season in Tunisia. A negative viral interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses is highly suggested, which explains, in addition to the easing of COVID-19 restriction measures, the epidemiological changes in non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulation.