The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of laboratory preparedness. Regular monitoring of diagnostic tools via external quality assessments (EQAs) is key to maintaining robust public health response service. We hereby conducted a third SARS-CoV-2 EQA assessing the diagnostic capabilities of European expert public health laboratories.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackgroundMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antiviral drugs have emerged as additional tools for treatment of COVID-19.AimWe aimed to review data on susceptibility of 14 SARS-CoV-2 variants to mAbs and antiviral drugs authorised in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries.MethodsWe constructed a literature review compiling 298 publications from four databases: PubMed, Science Direct, LitCovid and BioRxiv/MedRxiv preprint servers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackgroundDuring the 2023/24 influenza season in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), influenza viruses A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses were co-circulating.AimWe aimed to describe the circulating influenza viruses by (sub)type, genetic clade, antigenic group and antiviral susceptibility in that season in the EU/EEA.MethodsWe collected surveillance data from EU/EEA countries through weekly submissions to The European Surveillance System (TESSy).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackgroundInfluenza viruses can cause large seasonal epidemics with high healthcare impact and severity as they continually change their virological properties such as genetic makeup over time.AimWe aimed to monitor the characteristics of circulating influenza viruses over the 2022/23 influenza season in the EU/EEA countries. In addition, we wanted to compare how closely the circulating viruses resemble the viral components selected for seasonal influenza vaccines, and whether the circulating viruses had acquired resistance to commonly used antiviral drugs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Lung transplantation is hindered by low donor lung utilization rates. Infectious complications are reasons to decline donor grafts due to fear of post-transplant primary graft dysfunction. Mesenchymal stem cells are a promising therapy currently investigated in treating lung injury.
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