Publications by authors named "N M van Sorge"
Microbiology reference laboratories perform a crucial role within public health systems. This role was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this Viewpoint, we emphasise the importance of microbiology reference laboratories and highlight the types of digital data and expertise they provide, which benefit national and international public health.
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- The text discusses the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), specifically PCV10 and PCV13, on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) globally, highlighting how these vaccines have reduced the prevalence of disease caused by vaccine-type serotypes after extensive use.
- It describes the methodology of data collection from various surveillance sites, which aimed to evaluate IPD cases that occurred five years after the vaccines were implemented, focusing on different age groups for analysis.
- Findings indicate significant differences in serotype distribution between PCV10 and PCV13 sites; notably, certain serotypes, such as 19A and serotype 3, were prevalent in specific age groups, signaling ongoing challenges in controlling
is among the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections. Critical to biology and pathogenesis are the cell wall-anchored glycopolymers wall teichoic acids (WTA). Approximately one-third of isolates decorates WTA with a mixture of α1,4- and β1,4--acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which requires the dedicated glycosyltransferases TarM and TarS, respectively.
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- The study focuses on a critical infection-causing pathogen, examining a specific carbohydrate structure (GAC) essential for its disease-causing abilities and diagnostic recognition.* -
- Researchers discovered genetic variations in the GAC biosynthesis genes among various strains, especially noting a premature stop codon that leads to the loss of a crucial side chain, affecting the bacterium's immune response.* -
- The findings provide insights into how genetic variations influence the bacterium's ability to evade the human immune system and highlight the significance of GacH in maintaining the pathogen's structural integrity.*
Article Synopsis
- Many Western European countries have strong surveillance and reporting systems for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), primarily caused by serogroup B (MenB), and they implement standardized testing and vaccination programs.
- Despite these efforts, there is still a significant need for advocacy to improve diagnosis, testing, and treatment of meningococcal disease.
- Recent awareness campaigns have highlighted the dangers of antibiotic resistance, with some countries reporting strains of meningococcus that are resistant to key antibiotics.