Acute flaccid myelitis in Switzerland - association with enterovirus D68.

Poliomyelitis-like acute flaccid myelitis associated with enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has emerged globally during the past decade. Here we describe the first documented case reported from Switzerland, and a second, suspected case occurring in temporal association. AFM occurs primarily in children, is usually heralded by a febrile, respiratory prodrome followed by acute-onset, usually asymmetrical, limb weakness with some predilection for the upper extremities, and respiratory muscle compromise in one third of reported cases.

Genome Sequences of Rare Human Enterovirus Genotypes Recovered from Clinical Respiratory Samples in Bern, Switzerland.

We report on genomic sequences of human enteroviruses (EVs) that were identified in respiratory samples in Bern, Switzerland, in 2018 and 2019. Besides providing sequences for coxsackievirus A2, echovirus 11, and echovirus 30, we determined the sequences of rare EV-D68 and EV-C105 genotypes circulating in Switzerland.

Evaluation of the DiaSorin LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay on nasopharyngeal swabs in two different SARS-CoV-2 pandemic waves in Switzerland: The impact of the Omicron variant on its performance.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests reliably detect individuals with high viral loads and provide an efficient diagnostic tool to manage the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic However, mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns that appeared after validation of most antigen tests might impact their diagnostic performance.

Objectives: To assess the impact of the Omicron variant on the performance of the DiaSorin LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 antigen test, we evaluated its sensitivity and specificity on nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) compared to rRT-PCR in the second and the Omicron pandemic wave in Switzerland.

Study Design: A random selection of NPS from patients undergoing SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics by rRT-PCR were collected during the second and the Omicron pandemic wave and further analyzed by the LIAISON antigen test.

Evaluation of the Roche antigen rapid test and a cell culture-based assay compared to rRT- PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: A contribution to the discussion about SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests and contagiousness.

Background: The most sensitive method to detect SARS-CoV-2 relies on rRT-PCR; however, viral RNA can be detected weeks/months after clinical resolution. Since rRT-PCR cannot discern between non- and infectious virus, it is unclear whether the presence of viral RNA after recovery reflects infectious SARS-CoV-2. However, recent studies suggest a positive correlation between antigen rapid tests (Ag-RDT) and virus isolation that is more suited to assess contagiousness.

Genomic analyses of human adenoviruses unravel novel recombinant genotypes associated with severe infections in pediatric patients.

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are highly contagious pathogens of clinical importance, especially among the pediatric population. Studies on comparative viral genomic analysis of cases associated with severe and mild infections due to HAdV are limited. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we investigated whether there were any differences between circulating HAdV strains associated with severe infections (meningitis, sepsis, convulsion, sudden infant death syndrome, death, and hospitalization) and mild clinical presentations in pediatric patients hospitalized between the years 1998 and 2017 in a tertiary care hospital group in Bern, Switzerland covering a population base of approx.