Publications by authors named "G E Baldvinsdottir"

Background: Limited data exists about treatment outcomes in nationwide hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination programs where injection drug use (IDU) is the main mode of transmission. In 2016 Iceland initiated the HCV elimination program known as Treatment as Prevention for Hepatitis C (TraP HepC). Factors associated with HCV cure in this population are examined.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Europe from October 2020 to September 2022.
  • Data from multiple surveillance systems showed a significant drop in RSV detections during the 2020/21 season, followed by a gradual increase in 2021 and notable peaks in 2021/22.
  • Despite increased testing, RSV patterns were disrupted, with unusual circulation trends observed, indicating that normalization of RSV activity had not been achieved by the 2022/23 season.
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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.

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A detailed understanding of the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 is of high importance, especially with the emergence of novel vaccines. A multiplex-based assay, analyzing IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD), spike 1 (S1), and nucleocapsid proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was set up. The multiplex-based analysis was calibrated against the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay on a Roche Cobas instrument, using positive and negative samples.

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Background: WHO has set targets to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a global health threat by 2030 through a 65% reduction in HCV-related deaths and 80% reduction in HCV incidence. To achieve these goals, WHO set service coverage targets of 90% of the infected population being diagnosed and 80% of eligible patients being treated. In February, 2016, Iceland initiated a nationwide HCV elimination programme known as treatment as prevention for hepatitis C (TraP HepC), which aimed to maximise diagnosis and treatment access.

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