outbreak detection: Evaluation by ribotyping and whole-genome sequencing of a surveillance algorithm based on ward-specific cutoffs.

Objective: We evaluated the performance of an early-warning algorithm, based on ward-specific incidence cutoffs for detecting transmission in hospitals. We also sought to determine the frequency of intrahospital transmission in our setting.

Design: Diagnostic performance of the algorithm was tested with confirmed transmission events as the comparison criterion.

Risk factors for recurrent healthcare-facility associated Clostridioides difficile infection in a Swedish setting.

Objective: The objectives were to determine the risk factors for recurrent healthcare facility-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (HCF-CDI) in a high CDI incidence, low antibiotic use setting and to determine if length of cefotaxime exposure is a risk factor for recurrent HCF-CDI.

Methods: The risk factors for recurrent HCF-CDI were evaluated with a retrospective nested case control study based on chart reading. The risk factors were evaluated univariately and multivariately.

Diminished Short- and Long-Term Antibody Response after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Hemodialysis Patients.

Short-term studies have shown an attenuated immune response in hemodialysis patients after COVID-19-vaccination. The present study examines how antibody response is maintained after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in a large population of hemodialysis patients from six outpatient dialysis centers. We retrospectively assessed serum antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid protein (electrochemiluminescence immunoassays, Roche Diagnostics) after COVID-19-vaccination in 298 hemodialysis and 103 non-dialysis patients (controls), comparing early and late antibody response.

Antibody response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Some studies have shown an attenuated immune response in haemodialysis patients after vaccination. The present study examines the humoral response after mRNA vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a large population of haemodialysis patients from different outpatient dialysis centres.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid protein (chemiluminescence immunoassays, Roche diagnostics) 3-6 weeks after the second mRNA vaccine dose in 179 maintenance haemodialysis and 70 non-dialysis patients (control cohort).

Environmental Contamination by Chlamydia trachomatis RNA Can Cause False-Positive Test Results in Clinical Samples.

An investigation of unexpected positive test results for Chlamydia trachomatis at a women's health clinic in Sweden revealed that samples were contaminated by RNA in the clinic. The risk for RNA contamination at a clinic has been postulated previously. We are, however, not aware that this has actually been demonstrated in practice.