Antigenic changes in influenza A(H3N2) driven by genetic evolution: Insights from virological surveillance, EU/EEA, week 40/2023 to week 9/2024.

BackgroundDuring 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).

Co-circulation of seasonal influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B/Victoria lineage viruses with further genetic diversification, EU/EEA, 2022/23 influenza season.

BackgroundInfluenza 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.

Parechovirus A Circulation and Testing Capacities in Europe, 2015-2021.

Parechovirus infections usually affect neonates and young children; manifestations vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening. We describe laboratory capacity in Europe for assessing parechovirus circulation, seasonality, and epidemiology. We used retrospective anonymized data collected from parechovirus infection case-patients identified in Europe during January 2015-December 2021.

Comparative study between virus neutralisation testing and other serological methods detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Europe, 2021.

One consequence of the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic was the rapid development of both in-house and commercial serological assays detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, in an effort to reliably detect acute and past SARS-CoV-2 infections. It is crucial to evaluate the quality of these serological tests and consequently the sero-epidemiological studies that are performed with the respective tests. Here, we describe the set-up and results of a comparative study, in which a laboratory contracted by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control offered a centralised service to EU/EEA Member and pre-accession Member States to test representative serum specimens with known serological results, with the gold standard technique (virus neutralisation tests) to determine the presence of neutralising antibodies.

New perspectives on respiratory syncytial virus surveillance at the national level: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://bit.ly/40TsO0G

Seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus and its association with meteorological factors in 13 European countries, week 40 2010 to week 39 2019.

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the predominant cause of clinical pneumonia among infants and young children, often peaking during the winter months in temperate regions.AimTo describe RSV seasonality in 13 European countries and examine its association with meteorological factors.MethodsWe included weekly RSV seasonality data from 13 European countries between week 40 2010 and week 39 2019.

Meta-analysis of the clinical performance of commercial SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and antibody tests up to 22 August 2020.

BackgroundReliable testing for SARS-CoV-2 is key for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.AimWe estimate diagnostic accuracy for nucleic acid and antibody tests 5 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and compare with manufacturer-reported accuracy.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical performance of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and antibody tests based on 93,757 test results from 151 published studies and 20,205 new test results from 12 countries in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).

Point of Care Testing for Infectious Disease in Europe: A Scoping Review and Survey Study.

Point of care testing (POCT) for infectious diseases is testing conducted near the patient. It allows clinicians to offer the most appropriate treatment more quickly. As POCT devices have increased in accuracy and become more cost-effective, their use has grown, but a systematic assessment of their use for clinical and public health management of infectious diseases in EU/EEA countries has not been previously undertaken.

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%).

Automated digital reporting of clinical laboratory information to national public health surveillance systems, results of a EU/EEA survey, 2018.

BackgroundTimely reporting of microbiology test results is essential for infection management. Automated, machine-to-machine (M2M) reporting of diagnostic and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data from laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to public health agencies improves timeliness and completeness of communicable disease surveillance.AimWe surveyed microbiology data reporting practices for national surveillance of EU-notifiable diseases in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries in 2018.

Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020.

We show the distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three genomic nomenclature systems to all sequence data from the World Health Organization European Region available until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation, compare the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

Laboratory readiness and response for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in expert laboratories in 30 EU/EEA countries, January 2020.

Timely detection of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection cases is crucial to interrupt the spread of this virus. We assessed the required expertise and capacity for molecular detection of 2019-nCoV in specialised laboratories in 30 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. Thirty-eight laboratories in 24 EU/EEA countries had diagnostic tests available by 29 January 2020.

Alternating patterns of seasonal influenza activity in the WHO European Region following the 2009 pandemic, 2010-2018.

Background: Influenza virus infections are common and lead to substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. We characterized the first eight influenza epidemics since the 2009 influenza pandemic by describing the distribution of viruses and epidemics temporally and geographically across the WHO European Region.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed laboratory-confirmed influenza detections in ambulatory patients from sentinel sites.

Circulation of non-polio enteroviruses in 24 EU and EEA countries between 2015 and 2017: a retrospective surveillance study.

Background: Enteroviruses can cause severe infections, especially in young children. Non-polio enterovirus infections are not notifiable in most countries in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) region, and surveillance varies substantially between countries. We collected and analysed available enterovirus data across EU and EEA countries to assess the current epidemiological situation and need for standardising surveillance.

Piloting a surveillance system for HIV drug resistance in the European Union.

BackgroundA steady increase in HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) has been demonstrated globally in individuals initiating first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). To support effective use of ART and prevent spread of HIVDR, monitoring is essential.AimWe piloted a surveillance system for transmitted HIVDR to assess the feasibility of implementation at the European level.

Upsurge in echovirus 30 detections in five EU/EEA countries, April to September, 2018.

An upsurge in Echovirus 30 (E30) infections, associated with meningitis/meningoencephalitis, has been observed in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in the period April to September 2018, compared with 2015-2017. In total, 658 E30 infections among 4,537 enterovirus infections were detected in 15 countries between January and September 2018 and affected mainly newborns and 26-45 year-olds. National public health institutes are reminded to remain vigilant and inform clinicians of the ongoing epidemic.

Seasonality and geographical spread of respiratory syncytial virus epidemics in 15 European countries, 2010 to 2016.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is considered the most common pathogen causing severe lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children. We describe the seasonality and geographical spread of RSV infection in 15 countries of the European Union and European Economic Area. We performed a retrospective descriptive study of weekly laboratory-confirmed RSV detections between weeks 40/2010 and 20/2016, in patients investigated for influenza-like illness, acute respiratory infection or following the clinician's judgment.

Enhancement of Th2 responses to replicative herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors by immunomodulative chemotherapy.

Replicating, neuroattenuated gamma(1)34.5-deleted herpes simplex virus (HSV)-vectors are tools for experimental therapy of gliomas and autoimmune diseases. Immunomodulative treatment with Linomide (quinoline-3-carboxamide) has earlier been shown to facilitate some virus infections and reduce autoimmunity.

Spread and replication of and immune response to gamma134.5-negative herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors in BALB/c mice.

We have previously shown that intracranial infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vector R8306 expressing interleukin-4 (IL-4) can abolish symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which is used as a model for human multiple sclerosis (Broberg et al., Gene Ther. 8:769-777, 2001).