Non-pharmaceutical infection prevention measures in nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks: a retrospective multi-centre cohort study.

Background: Hospital severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks are relevant for patients and healthcare systems within and beyond the pandemic.

Aim: To explore the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and their infection prevention and control (IPC) measures during the different pandemic waves.

Methods: A comprehensive structured template for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks was developed and filled out by six university hospitals.

[Diagnosis and emergency management of radiological incidents].

Incidents involving ionizing radiation pose a risk of immediate and long-term clinical consequences for both victims and responders in the event of secondary contamination. Rapid identification of the problem and a coordinated response are crucial. This article summarizes the key challenges related to the emergency management of a single patient or multiple victims, addressing the importance of recognizing such a case, radioprotection measures, decontamination, and available treatments.

Immune Response to COVID-19 Vaccination in Elite Athletes.

Purpose: This study analyses the immune response of elite athletes after COVID-19 vaccination with double-dose mRNA and a single-dose vector vaccine.

Methods: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers, neutralizing activity, CD4 and CD8 T-cells were examined in blood samples from 72 athletes before and after vaccination against COVID-19 (56 mRNA (BNT162b2 / mRNA-1273), 16 vector (Ad26.COV.

Two thiosemicarbazones derived from 1-indanone as potent non-nucleoside inhibitors of bovine viral diarrhea virus of different genotypes and biotypes.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a widespread pathogen of cattle and other mammals that causes major economic losses in the livestock industry. N4-TSC and 6NO-TSC are two thiosemicarbazones derived from 1-indanone that exhibit anti-BVDV activity in vitro. These compounds selectively inhibit BVDV and are effective against both cytopathic and non-cytopathic BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains.

Cell-based influenza vaccines: An effective vaccine option for under 60-year-olds.

Aim: Seasonal influenza poses a significant burden of disease, affecting not only older adults but also individuals under the age of 60. It carries a high economic burden, mainly driven by influenza-associated productivity losses in the working population. Conventional egg-based influenza vaccines may have reduced effectiveness due to antigen adaptation in eggs.

Dental aerosol-producing treatments: Comparison of contamination patterns of face shields and surgical masks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental face shields were recommended to protect the eyes. This study aimed to examine to what extent face shield and mask contamination differ when a pre-procedural mouth rinsing with Chlorhexidine (CHX) is conducted before treatment. In this prospective, randomized study, three groups of subjects were formed (rinsing with 0.

[Cell-based influenza vaccines: an effective vaccine option for under 60-year-olds].

The population < 60 years of age is also affected by a significant disease burden from seasonal influenza. It carries a high economic burden, mainly driven by influenza-associated productivity losses in the working population. Conventional egg-based influenza vaccines may experience reduced effectiveness due to antigen adaptation in eggs.

Real world evidence for public health decision-making on vaccination policies: perspectives from an expert roundtable.

Introduction: Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality, but influenza vaccine uptake remains below most countries' targets. Vaccine policy recommendations vary, as do procedures for reviewing and appraising the evidence.

Areas Covered: During a series of roundtable discussions, we reviewed procedures and methodologies used by health ministries in four European countries to inform vaccine recommendations.

Attitudes of primary care physicians towards antimicrobial stewardship and the impact of a multi-part training course - a pilot study.

Background: A plethora of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs has been initiated during the past years, focusing on hospital settings. Primary-care physicians have seldom been addressed, although the majority of antibiotic prescriptions are issued for outpatients. We sought to investigate attitudes of primary-care physicians and the impact of a customized training course.

Alterations in pathogen-specific cellular and humoral immunity associated with acute peripheral facial palsy of infectious origin.

Background: Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) is a common neurologic symptom which can be triggered by pathogens, autoimmunity, trauma, tumors, cholesteatoma or further local conditions disturbing the peripheral section of the nerve. In general, its cause is often difficult to identify, remaining unknown in over two thirds of cases. As we have previously shown that the quantity and quality of pathogen-specific T cells change during active infections, we hypothesized that such changes may also help to identify the causative pathogen in PFPs of unknown origin.

Evaluation of a Portable Blood Gas Analyzer for Prehospital Triage in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Instrument Validation Study.

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Symptoms are mostly aspecific, making it hard to identify, and its diagnosis is usually made through blood gas analysis. However, the bulkiness of gas analyzers prevents them from being used at the scene of the incident, thereby leading to the unnecessary transport and admission of many patients.

Discrimination between hypervirulent and non-hypervirulent ribotypes of Clostridioides difficile by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and machine learning.

Hypervirulent ribotypes (HVRTs) of Clostridioides difficile such as ribotype (RT) 027 are epidemiologically important. This study evaluated whether MALDI-TOF can distinguish between strains of HVRTs and non-HVRTs commonly found in Europe. Obtained spectra of clinical C.

Bacterial contamination potential of personal protective equipment itself in dental aerosol-producing treatments.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has long been a high priority in dental aerosol-producing treatments. Since COVID-19 pandemic, its importance has increased yet again. While importance of PPE in preventing transmission and thus possible infection of pathogens is well known, contamination potential of PPE after treatment itself is less investigated.

[Measures and Recommendations for Ensuring Adequate Inpatient Care Capacities for Pandemic Management within a Region: Results of a Hybrid Delphi Method].

Introduction: Since the beginning of the pandemic in spring 2020, inpatient healthcare has been under enormous burden, which is reflected especially in overworked staff, imprecise bed planning and/or data transfer. According to the recommendation of the Science Council, university clinics should play a controlling role in regional healthcare and act in conjunction with surrounding hospitals and practices.

Methods: In September 2021, 31 representatives from 18 university hospitals were invited to a hybrid Delphi study with a total of 4 survey rounds to discuss criteria for effective inpatient care in a pandemic situation, which were extracted from previous expert interviews.

Development of a Pilot Introductory Advanced Cardiovascular Resuscitation Course for Senior Medical Students in Switzerland: Student-Driven Implementation Study.

Background: Cardiac arrest is the most time-critical emergency medical students and junior physicians may face in their personal or professional life. However, many studies have shown that most of them lack the necessary knowledge and skills to efficiently perform resuscitation. This could be related to the fact that advanced cardiovascular resuscitation courses are not always part of the undergraduate medical curriculum.