Phylogenomic early warning signals for SARS-CoV-2 epidemic waves.

Background: Epidemic waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections have often been associated with the emergence of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. Rapid detection of growing genomic variants can therefore serve as a predictor of future waves, enabling timely implementation of countermeasures such as non-pharmaceutical interventions (social distancing), additional vaccination (booster campaigns), or healthcare capacity adjustments. The large amount of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence data produced during the pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the utility of these data for generating early warning signals (EWS).

Characterization of Circulating Clostridium difficile Strains, Host Response and Intestinal Microbiome in Hospitalized Children With Diarrhea.

Background: Clostridium difficile is capable of causing severe enterocolitis in adults. The significance of toxin-producing C. difficile in children with diarrhea is unclear and practice differs on whether to institute treatment.