Britta Gröndahl

Are meteorological parameters associated with acute respiratory tract infections

BACKGROUND Information on the onset of epidemics of acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) is useful in timing preventive strategies (eg, the passive immunization of high-risk infants against respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]). Aiming at better predictions of the seasonal activity of ARI pathogens, we investigated the influence of climate on hospitalizations for ARIs. METHODS Samples obtained from 3044 children hospitalized with ARIs in Mainz, Germany, were tested for pathogens with a multiplex reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from 2001 through 2006. Hospitalizations for ARIs were correlated with meteorological parameters recorded at the University of Mainz. The frequency of hospitalization for RSV infection was predicted on the basis of multiple time series analysis. RESULTS Influenza A, RSV, and adenovirus were correlated with temperature and rhinovirus to relative humidity. In a time series model that included seasonal and climatic conditions, RSV-associated hospitalizations were predictable. CONCLUSIONS Seasonality of certain ARI pathogens can be explained by meteorological influences. The model presented herein is a first step toward predicting annual RSV epidemics using weather forecast data.

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections in Germany: impact of non-type b serotypes in the post-vaccine era

BackgroundHaemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination led to a significant decrease in invasive bacterial infections in children. The aim of this study was to assess a potential shift to more non-type b invasive infections in a population with high Hib vaccination coverage and to compare the burden of suffering between children with Hib, capsulated non-b and non-capsulated Hi infections.MethodsCases with confirmed invasive Hi infections were ascertained through two independent nationwide active surveillance systems in 1998–2005. Information on possible predisposing conditions and clinical information was available from 2001 onwards.ResultsThe total number of reported non-type b Hi cases varied between 10 cases in 1998, 27 in 2000 and 14 in 2005. In each year, non-capsulated serotypes outnumbered capsulated non-type b ones. 192 cases were detected in 2001–2005, more than one half was non-type b and 88% of the non-type b cases were non-capsulated. For cases with Hib/capsulated non-type b infections the most common clinical presentation was meningitis (67% each); 89%/78% had no potential predisposing condition, 75%/72% completely recovered from disease and 6% (each) died. In contrast, meningitis was diagnosed in 34% of the non-capsulated Hi infections, septicaemia in 28% and pneumonia 21%; 62% had no potential predisposing condition, 83% completely recovered and 3% died.ConclusionThere was no increase in non-type b Hi invasive infections during 8 years of active surveillance in Germany. Invasive disease due to non-type b Hi is not confined to children with risk factors. In patients with capsulated non-type b Hi infections the proportion of meningitis cases is similar to Hib, but double as high as in non-capsulated Hi.

Effectiveness of hexavalent vaccines against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease: Germany's experience after 5 years of licensure.

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was determined with a case-cohort approach using Cox regression. Cases with confirmed systemic Hib infections in children born from 1 August 2000 to 31 December 2004 were ascertained through two independent nationwide active surveillance systems. A representative cohort of 1303 children born in the same time frame was randomly sampled in a nationwide immunisation survey. Thirty cases were eligible for VE calculation; 19 were unvaccinated and 11 vaccinated with hexavalent vaccines. VE was 68.4% (95% CI: 19.0-87.6) for incomplete primary series and 90.4% (95% CI: 70.6-96.8) for the full primary series. For full immunisation VE was 100.0% (95% CI: 52.7-100.0). Hexavalent vaccines show a high effectiveness against invasive Hib disease in Germany.

Detection of respiratory viral infections in neonates treated for suspicion of nosocomial bacterial sepsis: a feasibility study.

There is a lack of knowledge concerning the frequency and significance of respiratory viral infections that occur in the neonatal intensive care unit. In the present study, all neonates with suspected nosocomial bacterial sepsis were screened for a panel of respiratory viruses. Respiratory viral infections were detected in 10% of these cases. This was comparable with the frequency of a blood-culture–proven sepsis.

Viral Infections in Neonates with Suspected Late-Onset Bacterial Sepsis-A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of viral infections in infants with suspected late‐onset bacterial sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods In a prospective study, infants with suspected late‐onset bacterial sepsis underwent viral testing alongside routine blood culture sampling. Using a multiplex reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, nasopharyngeal aspirates were analyzed for adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, H1N1 virus, parainfluenza virus 1 to 4, metapneumovirus, coronavirus, and picornavirus. Stools were examined for adenovirus, rotavirus, norovirus, and enterovirus. Results Between August 2010 and March 2014, data of 88 infants with 137 episodes of suspected late‐onset bacterial sepsis were analyzed. Six infants were diagnosed with a respiratory viral infection (2 × RSV, 4 × picornavirus). Blood culture‐proven bacterial sepsis was detected in 15 infants. Neither viral‐bacterial coinfections nor polymerase chain reaction positive stool samples were found. Conclusion Respiratory viruses can be detected in a considerable number of neonates with suspected late‐onset bacterial sepsis. In contrast, gastrointestinal viral or enterovirus infections appear uncommon in such cases.

The beginning of a new era: systematic testing for pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) in children

On average humans get sick ten times per year. About six times the illness is due to an acute respiratory tract infection (ARI). Morbidity is especially high in children since they usually encounter the offending organism for the first time in their life; the lack of immunity results in shedding of the offending organisms in high numbers of prolonged time as compared to adults; their airways are smaller than those of adults and thus the inflammatory response leads to a more significant narrowing of the airways resulting in more severe disease; on average they have a high number of social contacts and also a more intimate contact with peers and caregivers alike resulting in a higher attack rate; they display an age-dependent lack of appropriate hygiene measures. (authors)

Invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae infections in Germany : a case report of a previously healthy 7-year-old boy with an intracranial abscess, and epidemiological data from 2001 to 2004

Anna Sandqvist . Helen Kalies . Anette Siedler . Britta Gröndahl . Heinz-Josef Schmitt . Susanne Schweitzer-Krantz . Martina Messing-Jünger . Klaus Pfeffer . Ertan Mayatepek . Rüdiger von Kries . Horst Schroten Invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae infections in Germany: a case report of a previously healthy 7-year-old boy with an intracranial abscess, and epidemiological data from 2001 to 2004

The BioFireFilmArray enables point of care diagnostic in neonatal parechovirus meningitis

The BioFireFilmArray enables point of care diagnostic in neonatal parechovirus meningitis Luis H. Llano López, Anna T. Reischl, Britta Gröndahl, Andre Kidszun, Frank Kowalzik, Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski & Stephan Gehring To cite this article: Luis H. Llano López, Anna T. Reischl, Britta Gröndahl, Andre Kidszun, Frank Kowalzik, Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski & Stephan Gehring (2017): The BioFireFilmArray enables point of care diagnostic in neonatal parechovirus meningitis, Infectious Diseases, DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2017.1311417 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2017.1311417