Sentinel Surveillance Program Research Articles

#2745 New strategies for capturing undiagnosed chronic kidney disease in patients at risk

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is recognized as a health problem in the general population. The worldwide incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing, driven by aging populations and a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension. The CKD is generally asymptomatic, and the diagnosis depends on the laboratory monitoring of the patients. The KDIGO consensus statement recommend the implementation of screening programs in patients at high risk of CKD development. We present the first results of a sentinel surveillance program of CKD in a healthcare area for detecting undiagnosed CKD in patients at risk. Method Our health department covers the metropolitan area of Valencia, attending 341, 972 citizens through 31 primary care centers. A CKD screening program has been established in this population based on a middleware clinical decision support (CDS) system “CDS-Ripple Down - Abbott Diagnostics” integrated in an electronic request system and in the electronic health records. When a general practitioner doctor order a lab test, the middleware CDS system detects high risk patients for CKD defined by age: >65 to <90, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or obesity. Automatically, the system adds serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and urine sediment analysis if it has not been requested (sentinel program). Then, the patients are classified into KDIGO stages based on eGFR and UACR and the CDS system detect those with progression (Fig. 1). Only patients with UACR > 300 mg/g, eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73, or progression were referred to nephrology. A nephrologist then decides whether patients require a face-to-face visit or provides recommendations to primary care physicians. Results From 01/11/2023 to 31/12/2023, 4, 989 reports were generated by CDS-system corresponding to 122 laboratory test per day. 99, 33% were added by the sentinel program. 3, 970 (79.6%) patients did not have CKD (KDIGO G1-2 or UACR <30 mg/g), 887 (17.8%) patients CKD not suitable for referral to Nephrology (KDIGO 3 and UACR 30-300 mg/g without progression, and 130 (2, 6%) were referred to Nephrology. (Fig. 2) Patients referred to Nephrology had a median age of 79 years [IQR: 72-85], 68 (52, 3%) were women. Twenty-seven patients (20%) were classified as KDIGO G2 A3, 19 (14, 6%) as KDIGO G4 A1 and 18 (13, 8) as KDIGO G2 A2. Fifty-seven patients (43, 8%) have been scheduled to face-to-face at nephrology consultation (1.1% of the total sample), and 73 (56, 1%) have been referred to their primary care doctors with recommendations (1.5% of the total sample). Among the patients referred to Nephrology by the CDS system, the reasons for not scheduling a face-to-face visit in Nephrology were mild decrease in eGFR (n = 18), UACR A2 (n = 24), elderly patients with low Kidney Failure Risk Equation (n = 5), urological pathology (n = 10), dependent patient and/or palliative situation (n = 5) and other causes (n = 11). Conclusion A novel CKD automatic screening method for capturing undiagnosed CKD among patients at risk has been developed. After screening around 5 000 patients at risk in two months, 2.6% of them presented criteria for referral to Nephrology. Only 1.4% required face-to-face visit. If we continue at this screening rate, it is expected that half of our population at risk of developing CKD will have been screened in less than one year. Computer systems with algorithms programmed and improved by a multidisciplinary team can establish a sentinel route (reviewing patients medical records), interpreting analytical values (calculating progressions, KDIGO stages, KFRE risk...) and producing automatic interpretive reports that integrates all the elements of CKD clinical attention allowing us to carry out this population screening.

Estimating the incidence of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in three regions of Queensland, Australia, winter 2022: findings from a novel longitudinal testing-based sentinel surveillance programme

ObjectiveThe 2022 Australian winter was the first time that COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were circulating in the population together, after two winters of physical distancing, quarantine and...

An Assessment of Trends in HIV-1 Prevalence and Incidence and Spatio-Temporal Analyses of HIV-1 Recent Infection Among MSM During the Surveillance Period Between 2018 and 2022 in Sichuan, China.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is one main type of high-risk activities facilitating HIV-1 transmission in Sichuan province. Previous works on HIV-1 incidence and prevalence among MSM only concentrated before 2018, the situation after that is unknown. In addition, the distribution of hot-spots related to current HIV-1 epidemic is also rarely known among MSM in Sichuan. To update trends of HIV-1 prevalence and incidence and to visualize hot-spots of ongoing transmission in Sichuan province during surveillance period among MSM between 2018 and 2022. Limiting Antigen Avidity assay was performed to detect recent infection within new HIV-1 diagnoses founded during surveillance period among MSM. The HIV-1 prevalence and incidence were calculated according to an extrapolation method proposed by publications and guidelines. Trend tests were performed using χ2 tests with linear-by-linear association. The spatial analysis was conducted with ArcGIS 10.7 to figure hot-spots of HIV-1 recent infections among MSM. Between 2018 and 2022, 16,697 individuals participated in HIV-1 MSM sentinel surveillance program, of which 449 samples (98.25%) were tested with LAg-Avidity EIA, and 230 samples were classified as recent infection. Respectively, the overall prevalence and incidence were 2.74% and 3.69% (95% CI: 3.21, 4.16) and both had significant declining trends (p < 0.001). Luzhou city had a highest HIV-1 incidence (10.74%, 95% CI: 8.39, 13.10) over the study period and was recognized as a hot-spot for recent HIV-1 infection among MSM. During the surveillance period, both HIV-1 prevalence and incidence were declining. However, Luzhou city had an unusually high HIV-1 incidence and became an emerging hot-spot of recent HIV-1 infection among MSM. This finding suggested focused attention, cross-regional intervention strategies, and prevention programs are urgently required to curb the spread of ongoing transmission.

Acinetobacter Non-baumannii Species: Occurrence in Infections in Hospitalized Patients, Identification, and Antibiotic Resistance.

Acinetobacter species other than A. baumannii are becoming increasingly more important as opportunistic pathogens for humans. The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, species distribution, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and carbapenemase gene content of clinical Acinetobacter non-baumannii (Anb) isolates that were collected as part of a sentinel surveillance program of bacterial infections in hospitalized patients. The secondary aim was to evaluate the performance of MALDI-TOF MS systems for the species-level identification of Anb isolates. Clinical bacterial isolates were collected from multiple sites across Russia and Kazakhstan in 2016-2022. Species identification was performed by means of MALDI-TOF MS, with the Autobio and Bruker systems used in parallel. The PCR detection of the species-specific blaOXA-51-like gene was used as a means of differentiating A. baumannii from Anb species, and the partial sequencing of the rpoB gene was used as a reference method for Anb species identification. The susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics (amikacin, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, colistin, gentamicin, imipenem, meropenem, sulbactam, tigecycline, tobramycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) was determined using the broth microdilution method. The presence of the most common in Acinetobacter-acquired carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-24/40-like, blaOXA-58-like, blaNDM, blaIMP, and blaVIM) was assessed using real-time PCR. In total, 234 isolates were identified as belonging to 14 Anb species. These comprised 6.2% of Acinetobacter spp. and 0.7% of all bacterial isolates from the observations. Among the Anb species, the most abundant were A. pittii (42.7%), A. nosocomialis (13.7%), the A. calcoaceticus/oleivorans group (9.0%), A. bereziniae (7.7%), and A. geminorum (6.0%). Notably, two environmental species, A. oleivorans and A. courvalinii, were found for the first time in the clinical samples of patients with urinary tract infections. The prevalence of resistance to different antibiotics in Anb species varied from <4% (meropenem and colistin) to 11.2% (gentamicin). Most isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics; however, sporadic isolates of A. bereziniae, A. johnsonii, A. nosocomialis, A. oleivorans, A. pittii, and A. ursingii were resistant to carbapenems. A. bereziniae was more frequently resistant to sulbactam, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tigecycline than the other species. Four (1.7%) isolates of A. bereziniae, A. johnsonii, A. pittii were found to carry carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-58-like and blaNDM, either alone or in combination). The overall accuracy rates of the species-level identification of Anb isolates with the Autobio and Bruker systems were 80.8% and 88.5%, with misidentifications occurring in 5 and 3 species, respectively. This study provides important new insights into the methods of identification, occurrence, species distribution, and antibiotic resistance traits of clinical Anb isolates.

Patient and facility characteristics of an NDM-producing Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in California, 2020–2022

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are bacteria that cause healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks. Most produce carbapenemases like New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), which are more commonly found in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales but rarely in CRAB. In 2018, selected laboratories began participating in a public health sentinel surveillance program by routinely submitting CRAB and other antimicrobial-resistant isolates to the AR Laboratory Network for specialized testing. In May 2020, the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network detected the first NDM-CRAB case in California, triggering an investigation. Initial whole-genome sequencing of subsequent isolates indicated high relatedness. Methods: We defined confirmed cases as patients with NDM detected in CRAB isolates and probable cases as NDM detected in a screening swab from a patient epidemiologically linked to a known case(s) with specimens collected during May 2020–September 2022. We defined outbreak facilities as having (1) 1 or more newly identified cases during a point-prevalence survey in response to a known case or (2) at least 2 cases identified within 4 weeks of each other that were epidemiologically linked. We analyzed demographic and specimen characteristics, as well as healthcare exposure history using R Studio version 1.3.959 software. Results: Of 230 total patients, 176 (77%) were confirmed and 54 (23%) were probable cases; 150 (65%) were identified through colonization screening. Among 176 NDM-CRAB isolates, the most common specimen sources were respiratory (n = 29), wound (n = 28), and urine (n = 24), and 87 (49%) of 176 isolates were nonsusceptible to all antimicrobials tested. Among patients, median age was 65 years (range, 24–97), 127 (55%) were male, 37 (15%) were Hispanic or Latino, and 100 (43%) were White. We identified 37 outbreak facilities across 13 counties, including 25 acute-care hospitals (ACHs), 6 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), 5 ventilator-equipped SNFs (vSNFs), and 1 long-term ACH. We identified 125 cases (54%) in SNFs and vSNFs and 93 cases (40%) in ACHs; among ACH patients, 43 (46%) had been SNF or vSNF residents within the prior year. No patients reported international exposure. Conclusions: The first known case of NDM-CRAB in California was detected by sentinel surveillance. In this extensive regional outbreak, most cases were identified by screening at public health and clinical laboratories. Transmission occurred across healthcare settings connected by patient sharing, underscoring the importance of communication, active surveillance, and implementation of infection prevention and control practices to mitigate spread within and between facilities. Expanding these efforts, with support and resources from public health departments, is key to detecting, characterizing, and containing future outbreaks of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.Disclosure: None

Developing Biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: A Systematic Review of Trends, Limitations and Future Perspectives

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) permits the sustainable surveillance of pathogens in large populations and does not discriminate between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. WBE allows health authorities and policymakers to make swift decisions to limit the impact of local and regional disease outbreaks, minimise the spread of infection and mitigate the effects of pathogen importation. Biosensors are an exciting addition to conventional WBE analytical approaches. Combined with sentinel surveillance programs, biosensors can be reactive to novel variants of a virus in the community. However, progress developing biosensors for wastewater surveillance is severely limited compared to advances in clinical diagnostics, with a lack of well-developed biosensors currently being available. Whilst the field of biosensors is vast, this review focuses on trends in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater over a key period (2020–2021). We explore the complexities involved in sampling within wastewater networks, the options for target selection, and reflect on the ethical considerations and limitations of this approach by highlighting the complex transdisciplinary connections needed. The outlook for WBE biosensors is assessed to be on a positive trajectory as current technical challenges are overcome. Finally, we outline the current status and where further development is needed to have a systematic feedback mechanism which would allow wastewater biosensors to be kept current and relevant to emergent pathogens.

Protocol for a winter sentinel surveillance program of notifiable respiratory viruses in Queensland.

With the reduction in access to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and changes in testing guidelines in Australia, a reduced number of people are seeking testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), limiting the opportunity to monitor disease transmission. Knowledge of community transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses is essential to better predict subsequent surges in cases during the pandemic to alert health services, protect vulnerable populations and enhance public health measures. We describe a methodology for a testing-based sentinel surveillance program to monitor disease in the community for early signal detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. A longitudinal active testing-based sentinel surveillance program for respiratory viruses (including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus) will be implemented in some regions of Queensland. Adults will be eligible for enrolment if they are part of specific community groups at increased risk of exposure and have not had a COVID-19 infection in the last 13 weeks. Recruitment via workplaces will occur in-person, via email and through online advertisement. Asymptomatic participants will be tested via PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection by weekly self-collected nasal swabs. In addition, symptomatic participants will be asked to seek SARS-CoV-2 and additional respiratory virus PCR testing at nominated COVID-19 testing sites. SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus prevalence data will be analysed weekly and at the end of the study period. Once implemented, this surveillance program will determine the weekly prevalence of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in the broader community by testing a representative sample of adults, with an aim to detect early changes in the baseline positivity rate. This information is essential to define the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in the community in near-real time to inform public health control measures and prepare health services and other stakeholders for a rise in service demand.

Characterization of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria collected in the Sentinel Surveillance Program, 2018–2019

Background: Carbapenem resistance in gram-negative organisms is an important public health problem. The CDC conducted Sentinel surveillance in 2018–2019 to characterize these organisms from 9 facilities in 9 different states. Methods: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and Acinetobacter spp (CRA) obtained from clinical samples of patients in acute-care or long-term care facilities were submitted to the CDC. Identification was confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed via broth microdilution for 27 antibiotics. All confirmed CRE and CRPA were tested for carbapenemase production (CP) using the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM). The isolates that were mCIM-positive were assessed by real-time PCR for presence of blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaIMP. CP-CRE were also assessed for blaOXA-48-like. All confirmed CRA were tested for the same genes as CRPA and blaOXA-23–like, blaOXA-24/40-like, blaOXA-58–like, and blaOXA-235–like genes. Difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) was defined as resistance to all β-lactams (excluding newer β-lactam combination agents) and quinolones tested. Results: The CDC confirmed 208 CRE, 161 CRPA, and 94 CRA. Table 1 summarizes AST results for a selection of drugs. We identified 112 (53.8%) mCIM-positive CRE and 6 (3.7%) mCIM-positive CRPA. The PCR results are summarized in Table 2. One mCIM-positive and PCR-negative isolate was positive in a metallo-β-lactamase screen. Conclusions: Resistance among CRE and CRPA to newer β-lactam combination agents was detected. Options for treating CRA are limited. Of 112 CP-CRE, 85.7% harbored blaKPC; CP-CRPA were rare (3.7%); and most CRA harbored blaOXA-23-like (55.3%) or blaOXA-24/40-like (30.9%). Whole-genome sequencing is planned to better understand gene variants, sequence types, and additional resistance markers present among the isolates.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Canadian Aquaculture: Supporting the need to develop sentinel surveillance programs for antimicrobial resistance among Canadian marine aquaculture facilities

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Marine aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry globally. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stemming from aquaculture is a public and occupational health concern but is poorly understood. Prescribed antibiotics are administered via fish-feed to treat infected fish, which also non-selectively exposes healthy stocks to the agents and increases antibiotic loads in surrounding environments. Consequential selection and amplification of AMR bacteria may create hotspots affecting aquaculture workers and their communities via consumption of contaminated fish and through direct or indirect occupational and environmental exposures to contaminants. Mitigative efforts have purportedly reduced antibiotic use but past and contemporary impacts on AMR exposures are unknown. This case study will identify regulatory and data gaps that currently hinder the implementation of sentinel surveillance strategies in Canada. METHODS: i) Profile antibiotic use by Canada’s marine aquaculture industry from 2016 to 2018 in comparison with other global industry leaders. ii) Comparative analysis of regulatory regime and surveillance differences across aquaculture-practicing leaders. RESULTS:Public reporting reveals Canadian marine aquaculture’s use of antibiotics was higher than reported in Norway, but lower than reported in Chile. There is no standardized monitoring for AMR via aquatic contaminants or identification of potential pathways from those contaminants to aquaculture workers and communities in Canada. This situation is somewhat different in other countries. Current data repositories are insufficient to elucidate the extent of human and environmental risk stemming from AMR emergence from within and around aquaculture sites. CONCLUSIONS:Canada should develop protective sentinel surveillance programs, but currently lacks the baseline studies required to stimulate evidence-based dialogue. Harmonization of data collection across jurisdictions can help define factors that increase selection pressure for the development of AMR in aquaculture settings. Furthermore, coordinated data management at the public health level can help flag health challenges potentially emerging from environmental exposures to AMR bacteria. KEYWORDS: Policy and practice, Pharmaceuticals, Occupational exposures

Description of non-polio enteroviruses identified in two national surveillance programmes in South Africa.

BackgroundHuman enteroviruses (EV) consist of 106 serotypes and four species: EV-A, EV-B, EV-C and EV-D. Enteroviruses cause clinical symptoms varying from severe to mild. Knowledge of EV burden in South Africa is limited, and as non-polio EV are important causes of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and meningitis, information on the circulating serotypes is vital.MethodsBetween 2010 and 2012, a total of 832 stool and viral isolate specimens were obtained from two national surveillance programmes at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases: the Rotavirus Sentinel Surveillance Programme (RSSP) and the AFP surveillance programme. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were performed to detect and serotype EV.ResultsNon-polio EV were detected in 446 specimens, of which 308 were sequenced. Stool specimens yielded a greater variety of serotypes than viral cultures. EV-B viruses were predominant (58.44%), whilst EV-C viruses were detected in 31% of the specimens tested. South African prevalence for these viruses was higher than other countries, such as France with less than 2%, and Spain and the United States with less than 10%. The most common serotype detected was Enterovirus 99 (EV-C, 8.63%), which has not been reported in other regions.ConclusionDirect sequencing from stool specimens yields a broader, more comprehensive description of EV infections compared to sequencing from viral cultures. Disease-associated serotypes were detected, but only in small numbers. This study provides a baseline for EV strain circulation; however, surveillance needs to be expanded to improve EV knowledge in South Africa.

Predictive ability of risk assessment tool regarding HIV infection for men who have sex with men

Objective: To analyze the predictive ability of HIV infection risk assessment tool for men who have sex with men (MSM). Sentinel surveillance data of MSM in Taizhou prefecture of Zhejiang province was used. Methods: MSM involved in AIDS sentinel surveillance program in Taizhou from 2013 to 2017 were included in the study and items listed in the HIV infection risk assessment tool for MSM was revised. Related data on questions and options involved in sentinel surveillance was collected and individual risk scores were calculated. We determined the predictive ability of this tool by comprehensive analyzing the HIV infection status and individual risk scores. Results: A total of 1 944 MSM were included in the study, with an average age of (35.04±13.28)years old. Most of them were recruited from the venues (55.7%) and 48.2% were never married. Among these MSM, HIV infection rate was 12.6%(245/1 944) with the median of risk score as 23.99, versus 20.36 from the HIV negative ones. Significant differences appeared on the risk scores between the target populations that with different HIV status (Mann-Whitney test, P=0.007). According to the principle of decision tree, MSM were divided into two groups according to risk scores: ≤18.66 and >18.66. It appeared that the risk scores were in parallel with the rates of HIV infection (χ(2)=13.102, P<0.001). Results from the multivariate analysis showed that MSM with higher risk score were more likely to be infected with HIV (>18.66 vs. ≤18.66: aOR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.27-2.32, P<0.001). Area under the ROC curve (AUC) for HIV infection was 0.553 (95%CI: 0.516-0.590, P=0.007). At the point of risk score 19.01, Youden's index appeared the maximum, with sensitivity as 0.69 and specificity as 0.43, of this tool. Conclusions: The HIV infection risk assessment tool for MSM developed based on Delphi method can predict the risk of HIV infection in MSM to some extent. MSM with higher risk score seemed likely to be infected with HIV. Items of this tool need to be adjusted for the verification of the tool through cohort studies in the near future.

Sentinel surveillance of child maltreatment cases presenting to Canadian emergency departments

BackgroundThe Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting Prevention Program (CHIRPP) is a sentinel surveillance program that collects and analyzes data on injuries and poisonings of people presenting to emergency departments (EDs) at 11 pediatric and eight general hospitals (currently) across Canada. To date, CHIRPP is an understudied source of child maltreatment (CM) surveillance data. This study: (1) describes CM cases identified in the CHIRPP database between1997/98 to 2010/11; (2) assesses the level of CM case capture over the 14-year period and; (3) uses content analysis to identify additional information captured in text fields.MethodsWe reviewed cases of children under 16 whose injuries were reported as resulting from CM from 1997/98 to 2010/11. A time trend analysis of cases to assess capture was conducted and content analysis was applied to develop a codebook to assess information from text fields in CHIRPP. The frequency of types of CM and other variables identified from text fields were calculated. Finally, the frequency of types of CM were presented by age and gender.ResultsA total of 2200 CM cases were identified. There was a significant decrease in the capture of CM cases between 1999 and 2005. Physical abuse was the most prevalent type (57%), followed by sexual assault (31%), unspecified maltreatment (7%), injury as the result of exposure to family violence (3%) and neglect (2%). Text fields provided additional information including perpetrator characteristics, the use of drugs and/or alcohol during the injury event, information regarding the involvement of non-health care professionals, whether maltreatment occurred during a visitation period with a parent and, whether the child was removed from their home.ConclusionsThe findings from this initial study indicate that CHIRPP could be a complimentary source of CM data. As an injury surveillance system, physical abuse and sexual assault were better captured than other types of CM. Text field data provided unique information on a number of additional details surrounding the injury event, including risk factors.

Behavior and influencing factors of HIV infection among men who have sex with men only and men who have sex with both men and women in Shandong province

Objective: This study aimed to examine the demographic characteristics, HIV related knowledge and behavior, correlates of bisexual behavior and status of HIV infection among men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW) in Shandong province. Methods: According to the requirements from "National HIV/AIDS sentinel surveillance program" , a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information on demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, and HIV-related services among MSM in nine sentinel surveillance sites from April to July in 2018. Blood samples were drawn for serological tests on both HIV and syphilis antibodies. Results: A total of 3 474 participants were included in this study. Related information on these participants would include: average age as (31.66±9.01) years; 35.06% (1 218) married or cohabiting with a woman, 50.52% (1 755) had college or higher education, 80.11% (2 783) self-identified as gays and 14.22% (494) self-identified as bisexual men,16.87% (586) ever having sex with woman in the past 6 months, 10.51% (365) ever using drugs. HIV and syphilis prevalence rates were 2.99% (104/3 474) and 2.76%(96/3 474). Through multivariable logistic models, MSMW were more likely to be ≥35 years of age, local residents, self-identified as heterosexual/bisexual/uncertain, ever having commercial sex with man but less likely to consistently use condoms in the past 6 months, less using internet/dating software to find male sex partners and less using drugs. There was no significant differences noticed in the following areas: number of sexual partners in the last week, condom use in the last six months with commercial sex partners, with HIV or syphilis infection and self-reported history of STD in the past year between MSMO and MSMW (P>0.05). HIV-infected MSM were more likely to have the following features, ≥45 years of age, non-local residents, finding male sex partners from the bothhouses, park/toilets or from the internet/dating software, also less likely to consistently use condoms in the past 6 months, using drugs or with syphilis infection. Conclusions: High prevalence of bisexual behavior as well as higher risk of HIV infection were noticed among MSM in Shandong province. It is important to strengthen related surveillance and effective intervention programs for MSM with different characteristics in Shandong province.

Epidemiologic characteristics of Norovirus among adult patients with infectious diarrhea, in Shanghai, 2013-2018

Objective: To investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of Norovirus among adult patients suffering from infectious diarrhea in Shanghai, so as to provide evidence for developing related strategies on prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Diarrheal outpatients were monitored at the 'Intestinal clinic' from 22 hospitals involved in the sentinel surveillance program in Shanghai. Information on demographic and epidemiologic features of the patients was collected while data and clinical, fecal specimens were collected and sent to the district CDC for Norovirus detection. Positive rates of Norovirus were also compared in various populations and seasons during 2013-2018. Multivariate logistic regression model was adopted to fit into the comparisons between non-Norovirus and Norovirus groups. Results: 19.28% of the 12 083 diarrheal cases were found to have carried the Norovirus, with GⅡgroup the most commonly identified genotype. Rates of detection was seen higher in males (20.78%) than in females (17.73%). 30-44 year-old were found having the highest positive rate (21.51%). The positive rates were found the highest (23.60%) in the year of 2015. All the above shown differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Diarrheal patients affected with Norovirus would present watery stool (75.94%) and vomiting (35.84%). Data from the multivariate logistic analysis showed that factors as: being males, 30-44 years old, officials/clerks, in winter season and with histories of travelling etc., were related to higher risks on Norovirus infection. Conclusions: Infectious diarrhea caused by Norovirus occurred all year round, with seasonal peaks seen in winter and spring, in Shanghai. Specific prevention and control measures should be taken on Norovirus- caused infectious diarrhea, according to the difference on age, gender and season.

Review on the etiology and complications of hand, foot and mouth disease, using data from the national sentinel surveillance program, in China, 2015-2016

Objective: To understand the characteristics relating to the etiology and complications of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) based on data from the pilot National Sentinel Surveillance (NSS) program so as to explore the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of the NSS. Methods: Data were extracted from the NSS system, conducted in 11 provinces of China from November 2015 to October 2016. Characteristics regarding the etiology, complications of HFMD and factors related to the positive rates of HFMD specimens were analyzed under the logistic regression method by SPSS 20.0 software. Results: A total of 4 783 specimens were collected, including 3 390 from mild, 1 390 from severe and 3 from death cases. The overall positive rate was 81.43% (3 895/4 783). Other enteroviruses (non EV71/Cox A16 enteroviruses) appeared the major serotype (52.68%, 1 482/2 813) for mild infection of the disease while EV71 was for the severe cases (65.31%, 706/1 081). The serotype spectrum revealed by the pilot NSS was almost identical with the existing surveillance system. Other enteroviruses tended to infect younger children (χ(2)=130.17, P<0.001) than EV71 and Cox A16, in China. The multivariate logistic regression results showed that higher positive rate was associated with specimens which were collected from males, at children' hospitals, in peak seasons, timely and in stools. The positive rates presented downwarding trends with the extension of the onset-sampling interval (χ(2)=14.47, P<0.001 in stool specimen; χ(2)=31.99, P<0.001 in throat swab; χ(2)=24.26, P<0.001 in anal swab). Aseptic meningitis, non-brainstem encephalitis and brainstem encephalitis appeared the top three complications of both EV71-associated and other enteroviruses-associated severe HFMD cases. Conclusions: Factors as gender, season/place/timeliness of specimen collection, and types of hospital all appeared independently influenced the positive rates. NSS seemed feasible to be used as an alternative or supplement tool to the existing surveillance program in China.

Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy for people newly diagnosed with HIV infection in Australia: trends and predictors, 2004-2015.

To determine trends in and predictors of early treatment for people newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Australia. Retrospective cohort analysis of routinely collected longitudinal data from 44 sexual health clinics participating in the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS) program. Patients diagnosed with HIV infections, January 2004 - June 2015. Commencement of antiretroviral therapy within 6 months of HIV diagnosis (early treatment); demographic, clinical, and risk group characteristics of patients associated with early treatment; trends in early treatment, by CD4+ cell count at diagnosis. 917 people were diagnosed with HIV infections, their median age was 34 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27-43 years), and 841 (92%) were men; the median CD4+ cell count at diagnosis was 510 cells/μL (IQR, 350-674 cells/μL). The proportion of patients who received early treatment increased from 17% (15 patients) in 2004-06 to 20% (34 patients) in 2007-09, 34% (95 patients) in 2010-12, and 53% (197 patients) in 2013-15 (trend, P<0.001). The probability of early treatment, which increased with time, was higher for patients with lower CD4+ cell counts and higher viral loads at diagnosis. The proportion of people newly diagnosed with HIV in sexual health clinics in Australia who received treatment within 6 months of diagnosis increased from 17% to 53% during 2004-2015, reflecting changes in the CD4+ cell count threshold in treatment guidelines. Nevertheless, further strategies are needed to maximise the benefits of treatment to prevent viral transmission and morbidity.

04 Using electronic patient records collected by ambulance personnel to detect disease outbreaks

BackgroundThe introduction of electronic patient records in the ambulance service allows to use these to monitor the population. Most patients are discharged at scene therefore this data represents a new source for syndromic disease surveillance. The accessibility and extent of the records allows to apply early event detection (EED) systems to monitor the prehospital population. Here such a system is applied to tympanic temperature readings to detect seasonal influenza.MethodTympanic temperature readings, are recorded for all patients and were used to determine daily and weekly numbers of pyretic patients. A method adapted from Singh et al. (2016) based on case ratios (CR) was used to detect the start of the seasonal influenza outbreak. This method does not rely on thresholds, and was applied in a sliding manor as EED system.ResultsThe data represented annually 15.96% of the population, focused on the elderly. It matched the progress of seasonal influenza cases from sentinel surveillance programs. For the season 2016/17 an increase in cases was detected with an estimated specificity and sensitivity of 99.7% and 100%, up to 9 weeks before sentinel surveillance programs. Furthermore, an unanticipated outbreak of Escherichia coli was detected.ConclusionIt was shown, disease outbreaks can be monitored using prehospital tympanic temperature data. Thus, making the ambulance service an ideal source for syndromic surveillance. The method used was effective and can be easily deployed to monitor specific syndromes to distinguish between infectious agents. The method is easily adapted to sample rates and noisiness of the data to prevent false alarms.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of rotavirus infection in infants in the Republic of Moldova

Implementing the sentinel surveillance program of rota­virus infection in infants beginning with the year 2008 in the Republic of Moldova has proven the high rate of this infection (40%), an argument for recommending the children’s immunization against rotavirus within the National Immunization Program. Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most prominent actual health problems in infants, rotaviral infection being a frequent cause of de­hy­dra­tion in infants and small children. Aim. The as­ses­sment of clinical-evolutive and epidemiological features, with treat­ment optimization of rotavirus family infection in non­vac­ci­nated and vaccinated children. Materials and method. There were included in the trial infants with acute diar­rhea, from the sentinel surveillance (2012-2016) of the Pediatrics Department from the IMSP Clinical Hospital for Children No. 1. There were examined 193 patients with acute gastroenteritis, included by a standard case definition. The biologic material was examined with last-generation tests for rotavirus infection, using ELISA and genotype high­lighting by PCR genic amplification. Results. The rotavirus infection was confirmed in 193 infants, from whom 121 were not vaccinated against rotavirus and 72 were immunized. In all patients, the disease began with toxic syndrome and dehydration in 100% of nonvaccinated cases, in comparison with vaccinated children – 82%. Conclusions. This article reflects the evolution of genotype characteristics of rotavirus family and of the clinical-para­cli­nical particularities of infection in infants, being of major importance in the context of implementing the im­munization against rotavirus within the National Im­mu­ni­za­tion Program in our country.

A severe 2017 influenza season dominated by influenza A(H3N2), Victoria, Australia.

Surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and laboratory-confirmed influenza in Victoria, Australia is undertaken jointly by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services from May to October each year. Surveillance data comprise notifiable laboratory-confirmed influenza and ILI reporting from from two sources – a general practice sentinel surveillance programme and a locum service.The magnitude of the 2017 influenza season was high in Victoria with widespread circulation of influenza type A(H3N2), which peaked in September. A record number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases were notified, and the proportion of ILI cases to total consultations from both the general practice and locum service were higher than previous years. Notified cases of influenza A were older than influenza B cases with 25% compared to 17% aged more than 65 years, respectively. The proportion of swabs that were positive for influenza peaked at 58%. Antigenic characterization suggested a good match between the circulating and vaccine strains of influenza A(H3N2).Most of the increases observed in notified cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza in recent years in Victoria have been attributed to increases in testing. However, that cases of ILI also increased in Victoria in 2017 is suggestive that 2017 was a relatively severe season. The dominance of influenza type A(H3N2), the extended duration of elevated activity, and a potential phylogenetic mismatch of vaccine to circulating strains are likely to have contributed to the relative severity of the 2017 season.Victoria is Australia’s second most populous state and is the mainland’s southernmost state. It has a temperate climate with an influenza season usually occurring in the cooler months between May and October. The Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), in partnership with the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), coordinates influenza-like illness (ILI) and laboratory-confirmed influenza surveillance in Victoria. There are three data sources included in the influenza surveillance system.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates in Baltimore, Maryland, 2016: The Importance of Sentinel Surveillance in the Era of Multi-Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea.

The increasing rates of gonorrhea infections and the global emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) threaten the successful management of gonorrhea. In the era of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), surveillance projects are urgently needed to monitor prevalence and trends in the antimicrobial susceptibility of NG. In this study, we retrospectively determined the susceptibility profile of NG isolates to previously and currently prescribed antimicrobials. NG isolates collected in Baltimore, Maryland between January and October 2016 were evaluated by the E-test method and/or molecular methods for susceptibility to ceftriaxone, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and penicillin. One-hundred and forty-three NG isolates from African-American males (98.6%), primarily heterosexual (88.8%), ranging in age from 15 to 69 years of age were included in the study. Ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in 44.1% of isolates. Plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin and tetracycline resistance was detected in 22.4% and 10.1% of isolates, respectively. Three isolates (2.1%) displayed high-level resistance to azithromycin (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 256 μg/mL). Forty-three percent of isolates were resistant or had decreased susceptibility to three antimicrobials (ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and penicillin). All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and gentamicin. Overall, the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistant NG in Baltimore continues to evolve, and the emergence of azithromycin resistance in this population emphasizes the need for continued sentinel surveillance programs to monitor susceptibility trends and aid in treatment recommendations.