Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among the Arab population in Northern Israel: an insight into the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis. We examined HEV seroprevalence and associations of sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics with HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity in the Arab population. A cross-sectional single-centre study was conducted among adults in the Nazareth area during 2022.

Rotavirus vaccine effectiveness stratified by national-level characteristics: an introduction to the 24-country MNSSTER-V Project, 2007-2023.

Background: Rotavirus vaccines are moderately protective against illness in high mortality settings compared with low mortality settings. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) evaluations may clarify our understanding of these disparities, but estimates among key subpopulations and against rare outcomes are not available in many analyses due to sample size. We combined 25 datasets from test-negative design case-control evaluations in 24 countries that enrolled children with medically-attended diarrhea, laboratory-confirmed rotavirus stool testing, and documented vaccination status.

The prevalence of antimicrobial drug resistance of non-typhoidal Salmonella in human infections in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Non-typhoidal (NTS) bacteremia is common in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the prevalence of antibiotic resistance to fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins, and multi-drug resistance (MDR) in NTS human isolates from sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using a search in Ovid Medline, Embase, and African Index Medicus of publications between 2000 and 2021.

Association between COVID-19 Vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Household Contacts of Infected Individuals: A Prospective Household Study in England.

Background: We investigated whether COVID-19 vaccination reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk among adult household contacts of COVID-19 index cases during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron waves in England.

Methods: Between February 2021 and February 2022, SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR nasal swabs were collected from COVID-19-confirmed index cases aged ≥20 years and their household contacts at enrolment and three and seven days thereafter. Generalized Estimating Equations models were fitted with SARS-CoV-2 positivity as the outcome and household contacts' vaccination status as the main exposure while adjusting for confounders.

Review of Israel's action and response during the COVID-19 pandemic and tabletop exercise for the evaluation of readiness and resilience-lessons learned 2020-2021.

Background: Reevaluating response plans is essential to ensuring consistent readiness and resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic. The "During Action Review" and Tabletop (DART) methodology provides a retrospective and prospective assessment to inform the adaptive response. Israel introduced COVID-19 vaccinations in December 2020 and was the first country to implement booster vaccination to address waning immunity and surges caused by new variants.

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty compared with ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty: a meta-analysis.

Aims: This study aims to compare the clinical outcome of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) in patients with corneal endothelial dysfunction due to Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis using a literature search of Embase, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP databases.

Quality of life and severity of symptoms among patients with various degrees of reflux esophagitis: a prospective study.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause erosive esophagitis (EE) and compromise the quality of life (QoL). We examined differences in symptom severity and QoL according to EE severity grade. A follow-up study was conducted among GERD patients at the Nazareth Hospital in Israel.

Relationships of the gut microbiome with cognitive development among healthy school-age children.

Background: The gut microbiome might play a role in neurodevelopment, however, evidence remains elusive. We aimed to examine the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and cognitive development of school-age children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included healthy Israeli Arab children from different socioeconomic status (SES).

Predictors of reinfection with pre-Omicron and Omicron variants of concern among individuals who recovered from COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic.

Objectives: The predictors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection are unclear. We examined predictors of reinfection with pre-Omicron and Omicron variants among COVID-19-recovered individuals.

Methods: Randomly selected COVID-19-recovered patients (N = 1004) who donated convalescent plasma during 2020 were interviewed between August 2021 and March 2022 regarding COVID-19 vaccination and laboratory-proven reinfection.

Multicenter Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Bloodstream Infections in Ghana.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Gram-negative bacteria-causing bloodstream infections (BSIs), such as and non-typhoidal (NTS), is a major public health concern. Nonetheless, AMR surveillance remains scarce in sub-Saharan Africa, where BSI treatment is largely empirical. The aim of the study was to determine the distribution and AMR patterns of BSI-causing NTS, , and other Gram-negative bacteria in Ghana.

The development and validation of screening tools for semi-automated surveillance of surgical site infection following various surgeries.

Background: Surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) is essential for better prevention. We developed a screening method for SSIs in adults.

Methods: The training dataset included data from patients who underwent orthopedic surgeries ( = 1,090), colorectal surgeries ( = 817), and abdominal hysterectomies ( = 523) during 2015-2018.

Comparison between School-Age Children with and without Obesity in Nutritional and Inflammation Biomarkers.

Childhood obesity is a major health problem. We examined differences between children with obesity and normal weight in nutritional and inflammation biomarkers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy children aged 10-12 years from Arab villages in Israel.

Associations of early-life exposures and socioeconomic status with cognitive development at preadolescence.

Background: The long-term relations of socioeconomic status (SES) and early-life exposures with cognitive development at preadolescence are not fully understood, especially in low SES populations. We examined associations of SES and early-life exposures including feeding practices, physical growth and infections with cognitive development among preadolescents from underprivileged communities.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted among 146 healthy children from two relatively low SES Arab villages in Israel, who were recruited at age 1-9 weeks and followed until age 18 months.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Non-Typhoidal Bloodstream Infections in Central Israel: A Case-Control Study.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection continues to be a significant cause of morbidity. In addition to gastroenteritis (GE), NTS may cause bloodstream infections (BSI). Our goals were to characterize the demographics, clinical characteristics and outcome of NTS-BSI in central Israel.

Threshold protective levels of serum IgG to Shigella lipopolysaccharide: re-analysis of Shigella vaccine trials data.

Objectives: Establishing a correlate of protection is essential for the development and licensure of Shigella vaccines. We examined potential threshold levels of serum IgG to Shigella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that could predict protection against shigellosis.

Methods: We performed new analyses of serologic and vaccine efficacy (VE) data from two randomized vaccine-controlled trials of the Shigella sonnei-Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant exoprotein A (rEPA) conjugate conducted in young adults and children aged 1-4 years in Israel.

Association of BNT162b2 Vaccine Third Dose Receipt With Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection, COVID-19-Related Hospitalization, and Death Among Residents of Long-term Care Facilities, August to October 2021.

Importance: COVID-19 vaccine might be less immunogenic and effective among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Objective: To examine the association of BNT162b2 third dose (first booster dose) with overall SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and mortality among LTCF residents during a nationwide surge of the Delta variant in Israel.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This observational cohort study conducted nationwide COVID-19 surveillance in LTCFs in Israel between August and October 2021.

Association of Receipt of the Fourth BNT162b2 Dose With Omicron Infection and COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among Residents of Long-term Care Facilities.

Importance: The administration of a fourth BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine dose was approved in Israel in December 2021 for individuals 60 years or older who were vaccinated with a third dose 4 months previously or earlier to control the substantial surge of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Nonetheless, the association between receipt of the fourth dose and protection against infection remains elusive.

Objective: To determine the association of the fourth BNT162b2 dose with protection against SARS-CoV-2-related infections, hospitalizations, and deaths during the Omicron surge in long-term care facility (LTCF) residents.

Comparison in Adherence to Treatment between Patients with Mild-Moderate and Severe Reflux Esophagitis: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is prevalent and causes erosive esophagitis (EE) with varying degrees of severity (A to D according to the Los Angeles Classification). Adherence to medical therapy is crucial for treatment success. We compared adherence to treatment recommendations between patients with EE grades C/D and A/B.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Naturally Acquired Immunity versus Vaccine-induced Immunity, Reinfections versus Breakthrough Infections: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Waning of protection against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) conferred by 2 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine begins shortly after inoculation and becomes substantial within 4 months. With that, the impact of prior infection on incident SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is unclear. Therefore, we examined the long-term protection of naturally acquired immunity (protection conferred by previous infection) compared to vaccine-induced immunity.

Socioeconomic disparities and household crowding in association with the fecal microbiome of school-age children.

The development of the gut microbiome occurs mainly during the first years of life; however, little is known on the role of environmental and socioeconomic exposures, particularly within the household, in shaping the microbial ecology through childhood. We characterized differences in the gut microbiome of school-age healthy children, in association with socioeconomic disparities and household crowding. Stool samples were analyzed from 176 Israeli Arab children aged six to nine years from three villages of different socioeconomic status (SES).

The Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection in Persons With Naturally Acquired Immunity With and Without Subsequent Receipt of a Single Dose of BNT162b2 Vaccine : A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: There is insufficient evidence regarding the magnitude and durability of protection conferred by a combined effect of naturally acquired immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine-induced immunity.

Objective: To compare the incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in previously infected persons to that of previously infected persons who subsequently received a single dose of BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine.

Design: A retrospective cohort study emulating a randomized controlled target trial through a series of nested trials.