Human infection with IsrRAPXV, a novel zoonotic bat-derived poxvirus.

Background: Bats are recognized as the natural reservoir of several zoonotic viruses that pose a threat to public health worldwide. In our recent reports we describe the identification of a novel poxvirus, IsrRAPXV, in Egyptian fruit bats. This poxvirus is associated with high morbidity and mortality in bats.

Varicella-Zoster Virus-Induced Neurologic Disease After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Early reports described an increased risk of herpes zoster following receipt of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. The objective was to assess whether COVID-19 vaccine is associated with varicella-zoster virus-induced neurologic disease (VZV-ND).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective case-control study with a test-negative design was conducted at 12 hospitals in Israel.

Dual anti-viral treatment for persistent COVID-19 in immunocompromised hemato-oncological patients is associated with a favorable prognosis and minor side effects.

In hemato-oncological patients, COVID-19 can present as a persistent infection with ongoing symptoms and viral replication over a prolonged period of time. Data are scarce on the preferred treatment options for these patients. We describe our experience with a five-day course of dual anti-viral treatment with remdesivir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for hemato-oncological immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19.

Comparative analysis of CRP as a biomarker of the inflammatory response intensity among common viral infections affecting the lungs: COVID-19 versus influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a useful inflammatory biomarker for patients admitted with an infection. This study aimed to compare CRP level as an indicator of inflammation severity between SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory viral infections.

Nosocomial transmission of MPOX virus to health care workers -an emerging occupational hazard: A case report and review of the literature.

We present an unusual case of monkeypox (MPOX) virus transmission to a dermatology resident during examination of affected patients. Viral DNA sequencing led to the identification of the most likely contact. This case, along with a review of all published cases so far, emphasizes the possible hazard of MPOX transmission to health care personnel, even when wearing personal protective equipment.

Diagnosis of Monkeypox infection: Validation of two diagnostic kits for viral detection using RT-PCR.

Monkeypox virus, a zoonotic Orthopox DNA virus was rarely reported outside of African regions until April 2022. Since then, thousands of cases have been reported worldwide. In order to cope with the increasing need for laboratory diagnosis, the availability of reliable commercial PCR assays is of paramount importance.

Drivers of adaptive evolution during chronic SARS-CoV-2 infections.

In some immunocompromised patients with chronic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, considerable adaptive evolution occurs. Some substitutions found in chronic infections are lineage-defining mutations in variants of concern (VOCs), which has led to the hypothesis that VOCs emerged from chronic infections. In this study, we searched for drivers of VOC-like emergence by consolidating sequencing results from a set of 27 chronic infections.

Evaluation of Biotrin, Serion and Euroimmun commercial assays for the detection of parvovirus B19-specific IgM and IgG antibodies.

Diagnosis of parvovirus B19 (B19) infection in small-medium size clinical laboratories is most often done by nonautomated enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Using 195 specimens we compared the analytical performance of Biotrin (Dublin, Ireland), Euroimmun (Lubeck, Germany), and Serion (Würzburg, Germany) EIAs. Sensitivity, specificity, and concordance to Biotrin assay were calculated.

Molecular Diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease: a 25-Year Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Various Clinical Specimens and Different PCR Assays.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD), caused primarily by Bartonella henselae, is a common etiology of infectious regional lymphadenopathy. Lymphadenopathy is preceded by a primary inoculation lesion and may progress to suppuration. Laboratory diagnosis of CSD is hampered by the limitations of available confirmatory tests.

Association of a Third Dose of BNT162b2 Vaccine With Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Workers in Israel.

Importance: Administration of a BNT162b2 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) to fully vaccinated individuals aged 60 years and older was significantly associated with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe illness. Data are lacking on the effectiveness of booster doses for younger individuals and health care workers.

Objective: To estimate the association of a BNT162b2 booster dose with SARS-CoV-2 infections among health care workers who were previously vaccinated with a 2-dose series of BNT162b2.

C-reactive protein velocity discriminates between acute viral and bacterial infections in patients who present with relatively low CRP concentrations.

Background: To assess the utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) velocity to discriminate between patients with acute viral and bacterial infections who presented with relatively low CRP concentrations and were suspected of having a bacterial infection.

Methods: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of patients with acute infections who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a relatively low first CRP measurement (CRP1) ≤ 31.9 mg/L and received antibiotics shortly after.

Evolution of spike mutations following antibody treatment in two immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19 infection.

Immunocompromised patients have an increased risk of persistent COVID-19 disease. We report here the clinical course of two patients with hematologic malignancies hospitalized due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In both patients, viral evolution including new spike gene mutations that occurred following treatment with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies preparations, including convalescent plasma and bamlanivimab.

Unraveling a Nosocomial Outbreak of COVID-19: The Role of Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses many epidemiological challenges. The investigation of nosocomial transmission is usually performed via thorough investigation of an index case and subsequent contact tracing. Notably, this approach has a subjective component, and there is accumulating evidence that whole-genome sequencing of the virus may provide more objective insight.

An outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among hospital personnel with high mRNA vaccine uptake.

Real-world studies have demonstrated impressive effectiveness of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We describe an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a hospital with high vaccine uptake. We found a low secondary attack rate (7%), suggesting low infectivity of vaccinated persons with vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Laboratory Diagnosis of 37 Cases of Endocarditis Based on Enzyme Immunoassay and Real-Time PCR.

spp., mostly and , are a common cause of culture-negative endocarditis. Serology using immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR performed on cardiac tissues are the mainstays of diagnosis.

Assessment of Risk Indicators for Targeted Cytomegalovirus Screening in Neonates.

Background: In the absence of universal screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, the aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of a targeted screening protocol based on maternal and neonatal risk indicators.

Methods: The medical records of 2,623 neonates born in our maternal hospital between June 2016 and December 2018 and screened for cCMV infection were reviewed. Among those of the included neonates, the records of 380 CMV-negative and 19 CMV-positive neonates were randomly assigned to obtain additional comparative data.

Maternal presentation and neonatal outcome in peripartum enterovirus infection.

Aim: Enterovirus is a common pathogen. Although mostly asymptomatic, this infection has the potential to be life-threatening in neonates. This article aims to describe the early neonatal outcomes in peripartum infection.

Impact of rotavirus vaccine on admissions due to acute gastroenteritis and rotavirus gastroenteritis in Israel.

Aim: We examined the impact of insertion of the Rotavirus vaccine (RVV) into the Israeli National Immunisation Programme (NIP) on hospitalisations due to both acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of children aged <5 years admitted with a diagnosis of AGE between 2008 and 2016 in two children's hospitals in central Israel. Clinical, laboratory, microbiological data and RV immunisation status were retrieved.

Chronic schistosomiasis in African immigrants in Israel: Lessons for the non-endemic setting.

To study the clinical presentation of Chronic Schistosomiasis (CS) in immigrants from East Africa to Israel and the tests that were useful in confirming the diagnosis.A retrospective study of all medical notes pertaining to hospitalized patients who were immigrants from East Africa with a pathological or microscopic confirmation of CS. Literature review was also conducted focusing on diagnosis of schistosomiasis among immigrants from endemic countries.

Characterization of hepatitis B and delta coinfection in Israel.

Background: Characteristics of hepatitis B (HBV) and delta (HDV) coinfection in various geographical regions, including Israel, remain unclear. Here we studied HDV seroprevalence in Israel, assessed HDV/HBV viral loads, circulating genotypes and hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg) conservation.

Methods: Serological anti HDV IgG results from 8969 HBsAg positive individuals tested in 2010-2015 were retrospectively analyzed to determine HDV seroprevalence.

An outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) type 2 Cosmopolitan genotype in Israeli travellers returning from the Seychelles, April 2017.

Dengue virus infection was diagnosed in six Israeli travellers returning from the Seychelles in April 2017. Phylogenetic analysis identified identical sequences belonging to the Cosmopolitan genotype of dengue virus type 2 in all samples sequenced, thus providing evidence for a probable dengue type 2 outbreak in the Seychelles. This report further demonstrates the role of travellers as sentinels for arboviral infections, especially in countries with limited diagnostic capabilities.

Pulmonary hemorrhage due to Coxsackievirus B infection-A call to raise suspicion of this important complication as an end-stage of enterovirus sepsis in preterm twin neonates.

Background: Prematurity is an important risk factor for the fulminate form of neonatal enteroviral infection. Pulmonary hemorrhage is a morbid complication that should be anticipated and managed aggressively due to its fatal outcome.

Objective: To emphasize the significance of pulmonary hemorrhage as a complication of severe enterovirus infection in preterm neonates.