Performance Evaluation of Molecular Detection of Enteroviruses: Results of 18 Years of Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) External Quality Assessment Program, 2005-2022.

The gold standard for enterovirus (EV) detection is the polymerase chain reaction based on the detection of the 5' untranslated region of the virus. Correct detection of EV is crucial for patient and public health purposes. The performance of diagnostic and public health laboratories on molecular EV-detection was analyzed using data from the external quality assessment program distributed by Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) between 2005 and 2022.

Poliovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015-2022: a review of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems.

Background: The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has drastically reduced the global incidence of poliomyelitis since its launch in 1988 thanks to effective vaccines and strong global surveillance systems. However, detections of wild-type as well as vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) still occur, also in the WHO European Region. This study aims to describe the poliovirus detection via the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), clinical enterovirus, and environmental surveillance systems.

A literature review and evidence-based evaluation of the Dutch national immunisation schedule yield possibilities for improvements.

National Immunisation Programmes (NIPs) develop historically. Its performance (disease incidences, vaccination coverage) is monitored. Reviewing the schedule as a whole could inform on further optimisation of the programme, i.

Characterization of Hepatitis B virus based complete genome analysis improves molecular surveillance and enables identification of a recombinant C/D strain in the Netherlands.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is classified into 10 HBV genotypes (A-J) based a >7.5 % divergence within the complete genome or a >4 % divergence in the S-gene. In addition, recombinant strains with common breakpoints at the gene boundaries of the preS1/preS2/S- and preC/C-gene are often identified.

Humanizing science: seven actions for PhD students to become next generation, future-proof scientists.

PhD students, also referred to as the early stage researchers (ESRs), that were participating in the European Union's Horizon 2020 consortium, OrganoVIR, have the ambition to become top scientists in virology with innovative, animal-free, research models; organoids. To achieve this ambition, developing more self-confidence and resilience was used to strengthen personal leadership needed in such professional role. Towards this purpose, seven actions have been selected that guide the ESRs through their PhD journey and help them elevate their career perspectives and employability in the international labor market.

Wastewater Surveillance in Europe for Non-Polio Enteroviruses and Beyond.

Wastewater surveillance (WWS) was developed in the early 1960s for the detection of poliovirus (PV) circulation in the population. It has been used to monitor several pathogens, including non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs), which are increasingly recognised as causes of morbidity in children. However, when applying WWS to a new pathogen, it is important to consider the purpose of such a study as well as the suitability of the chosen methodology.

Non-Polio Enterovirus C Replicate in Both Airway and Intestine Organotypic Cultures.

Non-polio enteroviruses (EV) belonging to species C, which are highly prevalent in Africa, mainly among children, are poorly characterized, and their pathogenesis is mostly unknown as they are difficult to culture. In this study, human airway and intestinal organotypic models were used to investigate tissue and cellular tropism of three EV-C genotypes, EV-C99, CVA-13, and CVA-20. Clinical isolates were obtained within the two passages of culture on Caco2 cells, and all three viruses were replicated in both the human airway and intestinal organotypic cultures.

Pediatric acute flaccid myelitis: Evaluation of diagnostic criteria and differentiation from other causes of acute flaccid paralysis.

Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is characterized by rapidly progressive limb weakness with low muscle tone. It has a broad differential diagnosis, which includes acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare polio-like condition that mainly affects young children. Differentiation between AFM and other causes of AFP may be difficult, particularly at onset of disease.

Re-emergence of enterovirus D68 in Europe after easing the COVID-19 lockdown, September 2021.

We report a rapid increase in enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections, with 139 cases reported from eight European countries between 31 July and 14 October 2021. This upsurge is in line with the seasonality of EV-D68 and was presumably stimulated by the widespread reopening after COVID-19 lockdown. Most cases were identified in September, but more are to be expected in the coming months.

European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network: Introduction of Hospital-Based Surveillance Network to Understand the True Disease Burden of Non-Polio Enterovirus and Parechovirus Infections in Europe.

Background: Non-polio enteroviruses (EVs) and human parechoviruses (PeVs) cause a wide range of human infections. Limited data on their true disease burden exist as standardized European-wide surveillance is lacking.

Aims: Our aim is to estimate the disease burden of EV and PeV infections in Europe via establishment of standardized surveillance for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and respiratory and neurological infections caused by these viruses.

Diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection: cross sectional study.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic test accuracy of two rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection on day 5 after exposure.

Design: Prospective cross sectional study.

Setting: Four public health service covid-19 test sites in the Netherlands.

Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Trajectory of Emerging Echovirus 30, Europe.

In 2018, an upsurge in echovirus 30 (E30) infections was reported in Europe. We conducted a large-scale epidemiologic and evolutionary study of 1,329 E30 strains collected in 22 countries in Europe during 2016-2018. Most E30 cases affected persons 0-4 years of age (29%) and 25-34 years of age (27%).

Clinical Evaluation of Roche SD Biosensor Rapid Antigen Test for SARS-CoV-2 in Municipal Health Service Testing Site, the Netherlands.

Rapid detection of infection is essential for stopping the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The Roche SD Biosensor rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated in a nonhospitalized symptomatic population. We rapid-tested a sample onsite and compared results with those from reverse transcription PCR and virus culture.

Recombination Analysis of Non-Poliovirus Members of the Enterovirus C Species; Restriction of Recombination Events to Members of the Same 3DPol Cluster.

Enteroviruses (EVs) are highly prevalent viruses worldwide. Recombination is known to occur frequently in EVs belonging to species , , and . Although many recombinant vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) strains have been reported, our knowledge on recombination in non-polio EVs in the species is limited.

Co-circulation of multiple enterovirus D68 subclades, including a novel B3 cluster, across Europe in a season of expected low prevalence, 2019/20.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was detected in 93 patients from five European countries between 1 January 2019 and 15 January 2020, a season with expected low circulation. Patients were primarily children (n = 67, median age: 4 years), 59 patients required hospitalisation and five had severe neurologic manifestations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two clusters in the B3 subclade and subclade A2/D.

A European multicentre evaluation of detection and typing methods for human enteroviruses and parechoviruses using RNA transcripts.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection has become the gold standard for diagnosis and typing of enterovirus (EV) and human parechovirus (HPeV) infections. Its effectiveness depends critically on using the appropriate sample types and high assay sensitivity as viral loads in cerebrospinal fluid samples from meningitis and sepsis clinical presentation can be extremely low. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of currently used commercial and in-house diagnostic and typing assays.

Enterovirus D68 serosurvey: evidence for endemic circulation in the Netherlands, 2006 to 2016.

BackgroundEnterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has caused major outbreaks of severe respiratory illness worldwide since 2010.AimOur aim was to evaluate EV-D68 circulation in the Netherlands by conducting a serosurvey of EV-D68 neutralising antibodies (nAb) among the Dutch general population.MethodsWe screened 280 sera from children and adults in the Netherlands and used two independent sets of samples collected in the years 2006 and 2007 and in the years 2015 and 2016, time points before and after the first EV-D68 upsurge in 2010.

Multirecombinant Enterovirus A71 Subgenogroup C1 Isolates Associated with Neurologic Disease, France, 2016-2017.

In 2016, an upsurge of neurologic disease associated with infection with multirecombinant enterovirus A71 subgenogroup C1 lineage viruses was reported in France. These viruses emerged in the 2000s; 1 recombinant is widespread. This virus lineage has the potential to be associated with a long-term risk for severe disease among children.

Highly sensitive parechovirus CODEHOP PCR amplification of the complete VP1 gene for typing directly from clinical specimens and correct typing based on phylogenetic clustering.

Purpose: Human parechoviruses (HPeVs), particularly type 3, can cause severe neurological disease and neonatal sepsis in infants. HPeV3 lacks the receptor-binding motif arginine-glycine aspartic acid (RGD), and is proposed to use a different receptor associated with severe disease. In contrast, HPeV1, which contains the RGD motif, is associated with mild disease.