Antibiotic Consumption in a Cohort of Hospitalized Adults with Viral Respiratory Tract Infection.

Development of antibiotic resistance, a threat to global health, is driven by inappropriate antibiotic usage. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are frequently treated empirically with antibiotics, despite the fact that a majority of the infections are caused by viruses. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibiotic treatment in hospitalized adults with viral RTIs, and to investigate factors influencing the antibiotic decision-making.

Clinical Outcome of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Hospitalized Adults in Norway: High Degree of Inflammation and Need of Emergency Care for Cases With Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Background: The clinical features and outcomes of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in adults have not been thoroughly studied, especially the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease burden. It has become apparent that outbreaks of RSV in the elderly are associated with increased hospitalization rates. However, little data exists on the severity of such viral RTIs in adults, particularly the need for hospitalization, respiratory support and intensive care.

Genetic diversity of rotavirus strains circulating in Norway before and after the introduction of rotavirus vaccination in children.

Globally, rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children under 5 years of age. Implementation of RV vaccination is expected to result in fewer cases of RV in the target population, but it is unknown if this also results in vaccine-induced virus strain replacement. Rotarix, a monovalent vaccine based on G1P[8] RV, was introduced in Norway in the children's immunization program in September 2014.

Etiology of viral respiratory tract infections in hospitalized adults, and evidence of the high frequency of prehospitalization antibiotic treatment in Norway.

Background And Aims: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in all age groups, but the epidemiology and role of several of the viral RTIs in the adult and elderly patients are still unclear, as is the extent of prehospitalization antibacterial drug use in this population.

Methods: We conducted a three-year (2015-2018) observational study of viral RTIs in hospitalized patients in a 500-bed hospital in Southeastern Norway, including all patients ≥18 years with RTI symptoms where one of the following viral agents was detected in a respiratory specimen (Seegene Allplex): Influenza A/B, RSV A/B, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), adenovirus and parainfluenza virus 1-4. Viral findings, demographical data, and information on prehospital antibiotic prescriptions were recorded.

Tick-transmitted co-infections among erythema migrans patients in a general practice setting in Norway: a clinical and laboratory follow-up study.

Background: Erythema migrans (EM) is the most common manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. Here, we examined EM patients in Norwegian general practice to find the proportion exposed to tick-transmitted microorganisms other than Borrelia, and the impact of co-infection on the clinical manifestations and disease duration.

Methods: Skin biopsies from 139/188 EM patients were analyzed using PCR for Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia spp.

Immunity to varicella zoster virus among pregnant women in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study.

Introduction: Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) in pregnancy may lead to serious outcomes both for the mother and the newborn. Targeted screening and vaccination of non-immune women during reproductive age could prevent varicella infection in pregnancy. Currently, no universal varicella screening of pregnant women is implemented in Norway, but serological testing in pregnancy is recommended in particular situations.

Rotavirus detection in bulk stool and rectal swab specimens in children with acute gastroenteritis in Norway.

Background: Bulk stool specimens are traditionally used for rotavirus detection but may be challenging to obtain from young children. Immediate and easy sampling may however be required in different situations, such as outbreak investigation.

Objectives: We assessed the diagnostic performance of rectal swabs compared to bulk stools for the detection of rotavirus by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) and multiplex semi-nested reverse transcription PCR (semi-nested RT-PCR) in children recruited through active hospital-based surveillance of acute gastroenteritis in Norway.

Rapid Bedside Inactivation of Ebola Virus for Safe Nucleic Acid Tests.

Rapid bedside inactivation of Ebola virus would be a solution for the safety of medical and technical staff, risk containment, sample transport, and high-throughput or rapid diagnostic testing during an outbreak. We show that the commercially available Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer used for nucleic acid extraction inactivates Ebola virus. A rapid bedside inactivation method for nucleic acid tests is obtained by simply adding Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer directly into vacuum blood collection EDTA tubes using a thin needle and syringe prior to sampling.

[Disease caused by the new influenza A(H1N1) virus].

Background: A new A(H1N1) influenza virus was detected in April 2009. The virus is now causing a pandemic of influenza. The article presents an overview of symptoms, complications, vulnerable groups, diagnosis and treatment.

[Resistance in influenza viruses].

Background: Influenza virus infection can be prevented and treated with antiviral drugs. The usage of such drugs in Norway has been infrequent, however, they are an important component in our pandemic preparedness planning, as it will probably be difficult to get access to the appropriate vaccine in time before the pandemic reaches the country. The first generation of influenza drugs acquired resistance to a large degree, in contrast to the modern neuraminidase inhibitors that until recently have had minor problems with resistance.

[Viral drug resistance].

Background: More and more viral infections are treated with antiviral drugs, and resistance against these drugs is steadily increasing. Our aim is to give a general understanding of viral resistance and its clinical significance.

Material And Methods: This article is based on review of published literature on the subject, international recommendations and our own experience as a national reference laboratory for hepatitis viruses.

[Whooping cough--an increasing problem in Norway].

Background: The incidence of whooping cough has increased in recent years in Norway, especially amongst older children and adults; in 2004 it was 168/100,000.

Material And Methods: This article is based on our own experience and a review of available literature, identified on Medline with the search word "pertussis".

Results And Interpretation: Whooping cough, a disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, is transmitted via respiratory droplets.