bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B reactivation in an Irish dialysis unit, 2005
Authors: Thornton L , Fitzpatrick F , de la Harpe D , Brennan S , Murphy N , Connell J , Humphreys H , Smyth E , Walshe J J , Crean M , O’ Flanagan D
Published: October 2017

In April 2005, a case of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection occurred in a patient undergoing haemodialysis in an Irish hospital. This incident potentially affected patients attending hospitals throughout the country, so a national incident team was set up coordinate the response to the incident. A total of 306 dialysis patients, attending 17 different dialysis centres (14 in Ireland), were identified as having been potentially exposed to HBV as a result of this incident. A programme of HBV serological testing and HBV vaccination was instituted. There was no evidence that any patient acquired HBV infection as a result of cross-infection from the index patient, although 11 patients (3.6%) had evidence of past infection (anti-HBc positive, HBsAg negative). The majority of patients in this cohort were of unknown HBV vaccination status (62.7%), 13.4% were fully vaccinated, 4.6% partially vaccinated and 15.7% unvaccinated. Of 239 tested for anti-HBs, 183 (76.6%) had a titre <10 mIU/ml. Local incidents in dialysis units can have national implications due to the frequent patient transfer between units. This incident highlighted serious deficiencies in current structures and practices, and a lack of appropriate guidelines. However, there were positive outcomes from this incident. The majority of Irish dialysis patients have now been vaccinated against HBV, and lessons learned have been used to develop national guidelines on HBV vaccination and testing and on the management of incidents of blood-borne viral infections in dialysis units.
An Easter outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT 104A associated with traditional pork salami in Italy
Authors: Luzzi I , Galetta P , Massari M , Rizzo Caterina , Dionisi A M , Filetici E , Cawthorne A , Tozzi A , Argentieri M , Bilei S , Busani L , Gnesivo C , Pendenza A , Piccoli A , Napoli P , Loffredo L , Trinito M O , Santarelli E , Ciofi Degli Atti M L
Published: October 2017

Salmonella enterica is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness in Italy. S. Typhimurium accounts for approximately 40% of isolates, and most of these strains belong to the phage type DT104. We describe the investigation of an outbreak of S. Typhimurium DT104A, a subtype never observed before in Italy, which occurred in Rome during spring 2004. We conducted a matched case control study between 24 July and 9 September 2004. Controls were matched for age and area of residence. Each case had between one and four controls. Odds of exposure to potential risk factors and vehicles for the outbreak were compared between cases and controls. A multivariate analysis was conducted to estimate adjusted Odds Ratios. Sixty-three cases of S. Typhimurium DT 104A infection with onset between 1 April and 5 May 2004 were identified. Sixty-one were residents of Rome and two were residents of a neighbouring region. Twenty-six cases (43%) were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 7.5 years. Fourteen of 26 cases and 16 of 62 controls had eaten pork salami (OR= 25.5; 95% CI 1.6- 416.8). No food samples were available for testing. In northern Italy, two months prior to the outbreak, the veterinary surveillance system identified the first isolation of S. Typhimurium DT104A in a pig isolate. Both human and pig isolates showed indistinguishable PFGE patterns. It was not possible to trace the pig after the sample was taken at slaughter. The epidemiological evidence on the implication of pork salami in this outbreak suggests that pork products can also be a vehicle for salmonella in Italy and underlines the importance of good manufacturing practices for ready-to-eat foods. This investigation highlights the value of laboratory-based surveillance in identifying community-wide outbreaks of uncommon pathogens. It also underlines the need to improve surveillance timeliness, for promptly detecting outbreaks, undergoing field investigation, and implementing control measures. Moreover, our study shows the usefulness of integrated human and animal surveillance in tracing the possible source of infection.
Outbreaks of monophasic Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- in Luxembourg, 2006
Authors: Mossong J , Marques P , Ragimbeau C , Huberty-Krau P , Losch S , Meyer G , Moris G , Strottner C , Rabsch W , Schneider F
Published: October 2017

A monophasic Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- phage type DT193 emerged as the dominant serovar in Luxembourg in 2006, when it caused two major outbreaks involving 133 laboratory-confirmed human cases, 24 hospitalisations, and one death. The outbreak strain had an uncommon pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern STYMXB.0031 and antibiotic resistance profile ASSuT. A high proportion of cases were clustered in institutions for the elderly and in day-care centers. Strains identical to the outbreak strain were recovered from two control meals, a nappy changing table, retail sausages and caecal porcine samples at an abattoir. Locally produced pork meat is strongly suspected to have been the vehicle for the outbreaks, although the precise mechanisms remain unclear.
Surveillance of primary antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori at centres in England and Wales over a six-year period (2000-2005)
Authors: Chisholm S A , Teare E L , Davies K , Owen R J
Published: October 2017

Antibiotic resistance is a key factor in the failure of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, yet few sentinel schemes exist to monitor trends in resistance at local, national or international levels. This study aimed, over a six-year period, to monitor resistance levels of H. pylori in England and Wales to the four antibiotics used in its treatment. A total of 1,310 isolates from Gwynedd in north Wales and from mid-Essex in south-east England were collected from 2000 to 2005 and tested for susceptibilities to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and tetracycline. Overall, metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance rates were 28.6% and 8.3% in Gwynedd and significantly higher (36.3%, p=0.0031, and 12.7%, p=0.0112) in mid-Essex. Rates of resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin increased in both areas over this six-year period. Resistance rates were higher in female compared with male patients (38.1% vs 26.6% for metronidazole, p
Preparing for an influenza pandemic in Italy: resources and procedures in paediatric hospital units
Authors: Giacomet V , Tarallo L , De Marco G , Giannattasio A , Barbarino A , Guarino A
Published: October 2017

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 13a: case-control investigation in Hertsmere, United Kingdom
Authors: Morgan O , Milne L , Kumar S , Murray D , Man W , Georgiou M , Verlander N Q , de Pinna E , McEvoy M
Published: October 2017

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Norovirus outbreak associated with a hotel in the west of Ireland, 2006
Authors: Michel A , FitzGerald R , Whyte D , Fitzgerald A , Beggan E , O’Connell N , Greally T
Published: October 2017

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Passive immunity against measles in infants: is there a need for policy changes in the European vaccination schedules?
Authors: Johansen K , Lopalco P L
Published: October 2017

The elimination of measles by 2010 is part of the strategic plan for measles and congenital rubella infection in the European Region of the World Health Organization.
Incidence trends in pertussis in the Autonomous Region of Madrid, Spain: 1982-2005
Authors: Vera I , García-Comas L , Ordobas M , Gutierrez A , Sanz J C , Barranco D
Published: October 2017

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence (1982-2005) and epidemiologic characteristics of pertussis cases (1998-2005) in the Autonomous Region of Madrid using data drawn from the epidemiologic surveillance network and computerised hospital discharge data. In the 1990s, the trend in the pertussis incidence in the Autonomous Region of Madrid was clearly falling. The typical seasonal pattern of pertussis remained. A peak in incidence were observed in 2000, and another peak, 2.5 times higher, in 2003. They affected all age groups, but children under one year of age were the most frequent cases, followed by the five to nine year-olds. The greatest increase was seen in the age groups from 10 to 14 and from five to nine. Since 2002, the proportion of cases diagnosed serologically has increased. The incidence of hospital discharges among small children exceeded that of reported cases. More than half of the cases with known vaccination status had received at least three doses of vaccine. The upward trend observed since 2002 could be due to improved case detection, availability of serologic techniques, and a rise in the susceptible population aged five to 14 years. The fact that epidemic peaks continue to occur and that there is a seasonality to the disease seems to indicate that despite the vaccination programme the circulation of the bacteria has not been interrupted. The introduction of the acellular vaccine in 2000 does not appear to have played a significant role in the increase in disease incidence.
Trends in genital chlamydia infection in the Mid-West of Ireland, 2001-2006
Authors: Whyte D , Powell J , Horgan M , O’Connell N , FitzGerald R , Monahan R , Greally T
Published: October 2017

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis (GCT) infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Ireland. A retrospective analysis of 2,087 laboratory-confirmed GCT patient episodes from 2001 to 2006 in the Mid-West of Ireland was undertaken in conjunction with statutorily notifiable data that were reported by the Sexually Transmitted Disease/Genito-Urinary Medicine (STD/GUM) services in the region and used in national surveillance. Data were analysed by year, source, sex and age. The annual incidence of GCT in the Mid-West is increasing. A substantial proportion of GCT infections were diagnosed in the non-STD/GUM setting. The issue of sexually active young people seeking STI screening is a sensitive one, and delays increase the potential for transmission and the possibility of long-term complications when the disease is not treated. Based on this sample, national surveillance would significantly underestimate the burden of disease in Ireland, due to under-reporting. This would have implications for any national chlamydia screening programme. Among those who sought testing, women aged 15 to 19 years are five times more likely to be found positive than men in the same age group. Of those diagnosed in the non-STD/GUM setting, 83% were women. General practitioners and clinicians might consider targeting those aged 15 to 29 years for opportunistic screening and sexual health advice. Contact tracing and follow-up in the non-STD/GUM setting, as well as access for general practitioners to ongoing education on STIs are challenges to be addressed.
Sexual networks and the chlamydia epidemic - Meeting report
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

Network analysis, tying together sociology and epidemiology, provides a means of looking at the epidemic from a sociogeographic point of view. By highlighting the links between people in sexual networks, it can be useful when designing public health campaigns and carrying out contact tracing.
Exploration of cost effectiveness of active vaccination in the control of a school outbreak of hepatitis A in a deprived community in the United Kingdom
Authors: Taylor-Robinson D.  C. , Regan M , Crowcroft N , Parry J. V. , Dardamissis E
Published: October 2017

In January 2006, an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in a socio-economically deprived area of Liverpool, in the United Kingdom (UK), where extensive community outbreaks of hepatitis had previously occurred. A total of nine cases were confirmed. Five of these were linked within a primary school. The outbreak initially occurred among a close social contact group, but there was evidence of subsequent person-to-person transmission within a local primary school. The school was attended by 221 pupils (age range 4-12 years) with a total of 37 teaching and other staff (age range 22-71 years). Following local risk assessment, mass hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccination was offered to all staff and pupils, as all were judged to be likely to have been in close contact with the affected pupils. A total of 188 of 217 eligible children (87%), and 33 of 37 staff (89%) were vaccinated. A salivary seroprevalence survey was conducted at the same time as vaccination to assess the benefit of this intervention in the school population. The survey confirmed high levels of susceptibility to hepatitis A in this setting (97.8%, 95% CI 91.6 to 99.62). The direct costs of intervention were estimated as £5,000. The cost effectiveness of intervention varies widely (£60.50 to £2,099 per case avoided) depending on the expected attack rate, which is difficult to estimate due to heterogeneity in published studies.
Meeting report from the Third European Congress of Virology, 1-5 September 2007 in Nuremberg, Germany
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

Nuremberg was the third European city to host the European Congress of Virology in September this year (http://www.eurovirology.org). Some 1,500 scientists from Europe and elsewhere came together to share their knowledge on basic and applied research in clinical, veterinary and plant virology. The main focus was on human pathogenic viruses, providing a platform where basic research and clinical application came into contact. The topics covered all areas of research in virology, from basic molecular biology and immunology to epidemiology, vaccine development, and diagnostics. For this meeting report, the Editorial team has selected some of our highlights out of the many excellent keynote lectures and workshop contributions.
Systemic streptococcal group B disease in Norway – an increasing health problem
Authors: Hasseltvedt V , Høiby E  A
Published: October 2017

Norway has in the past years experienced an increasing incidence of systemic disease caused by group B streptococci (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) as monitored by notifications of positive blood culture and spinal fluid specimens to Norway’s Meldingssystem for smittsomme sykdommer (MSIS) at Statens institutt for folkehelse (National Institute of Public Health, NIPH).
Correction for issue 37
Authors: Noah N
Published: October 2017

The figure accompanying the article on echovirus 30 in issue 37 of Eurosurveillance Weekly showed all echoviruses reported in England and Wales in 1995-2001. The figure below shows the laboratory reports of echovirus 30 in England and Wales in periods of four weeks from 1996 to the present. It can be seen that echo 30 caused a smaller outbreak in the autumn of last year than this year, but that the number of reports did not reach baseline through the winter period.
Measles near extinction in Sweden
Authors: Giesecke J , Arneborn M , Tegnell A
Published: October 2017

The Department of Epidemiology at Smittskyddsinstitutet (SMI, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control) is currently analysing the preliminary surveillance figures for all notifiable diseases for 2001.
Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae var mitis isolated from a child from north west England
Authors: McCann R
Published: October 2017

A toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae var mitis was isolated on 14 January from a throat swab from an 11 year old boy from a religious community in Salford, north west England (1). The child had developed a sore throat on 5 January, six days after returning from a one week holiday with four members of his family in Jerusalem, Israel. The throat swab was taken on 7 January
World TB Day, 24 March 2003 and TB surveillance in Europe
Authors: Infuso A , Falzon D , Veen J
Published: October 2017

The theme of World TB day 2003 - "DOTS cured me – it will cure you too!" promotes the worldwide expansion of directly observed treatment-short course (DOTS), a multi pronged TB control strategy including the adoption of standardised patient management and the evaluation of treatment outcome of TB patients. Treatment outcome is a core surveillance indicator recommended to assess the implementation of DOTS. In recent years, DOTS has been adopted increasingly in European countries, especially in the East. The EuroTB annual report 2000 (in press, http://www.eurotb.org/) includes data on treatment outcome for TB cases notified in 1999 in 30 of the 51 countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. The WHO Global Tuberculosis Control report, available from 24 March 2003 at http://www.who.int/gtb/publications/globrep/index.html, contains current information on the DOTS situation in Europe and the rest of the world.
Institute of medicine publishes new report on microbial threats to health
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

“Microbial Threats to health: emergence, detection, and response”, published this week by the Institute of Medicine focuses on the need for renewed commitment faced with the increased impact of infectious diseases in the United States since publication of the landmark report, “Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States” in 1992. The report’s authors, the Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to Health in the 21st century, recommend enhanced global capacity for response to infectious diseases and stresses the importance of a robust public health system in responding to any disease outbreak.
European Commission and World Health Organization respond to risk of spread of avian influenza following outbreak in the Netherlands and Belgium
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

In the Netherlands, existing restrictive measures adopted by the European Commission to control the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (A/H7N7) have been extended until 12 May. No live poultry, hatching eggs and fresh, unprocessed poultry manure or litter may be exported to other member states or third countries and, with some derogations, no live poultry and hatching eggs may be transported within the Netherlands. All poultry in the buffer zones created around infected areas will be culled as soon as possible. (1)
Latest quarterly analysis of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease incidence in the UK shows continued slow-down
Authors: Andrews N J
Published: October 2017

Five new cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) were diagnosed in the United Kingdom (UK) in the first quarter of 2003, bringing the total number of confirmed or probable cases to 134 (1). Five deaths occurred in the first quarter, bringing the total number of deaths to 126. The total number of onsets and deaths by year are shown in the table.
Rapid HIV testing central to new HIV prevention strategy in the United States
Authors: Sadler K
Published: October 2017

On 17 April 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States announced the latest HIV prevention strategy (1). The new initiative, Advancing HIV Prevention: New Strategies for a Changing Epidemic, places emphasis on increasing access to early diagnosis of HIV infection and to prevention and care services. The strategy consists of four key parts:
Shooting Up: infections in injecting drug users in the United Kingdom, 2002
Authors: Hope V , Ncube F , De Souza-Thomas L , Gill N , Ramsay M , Goldberg D , Thomas D , Smyth B , Wiessing L
Published: October 2017

Infections in injecting drug users (IDUs) in the United Kingdom (UK) are becoming a growing public health problem
Ongoing outbreak of tetanus in injecting drug users in the UK
Authors: Hahné S , Crowcroft N , White J , Ncube F , Hope V , De Souza-Thomas L , Brett M , Roy Kirsty , Goldberg D
Published: October 2017

The outbreak of tetanus in injecting drug users (IDUs) in England first reported in November 2003 is ongoing, and has spread to Scotland and Wales.
The importance of maintaining high coverage polio vaccination beyond global eradication of wild type poliomyelitis
Authors: Hovi T , Wassilak S
Published: October 2017

In 1988, the World Health Assembly established the goal of eradication of poliomyelitis by 2000. At the time, there were approximately 350 000 cases in 125 countries
Eurosurveillance expands to cover the new EU and beyond
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Ten more countries join the European Union on Saturday 1 May, and in recognition of this expansion, Eurosurveillance is expanding to cover the ‘new’ countries
A third case of vancomycin-resistant MRSA in the United States
Authors: Johnson A
Published: October 2017

The glycopeptide vancomycin is, for many, currently the drug of choice for treating infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Increased influenza activity in Spain from mid-December 2004
Authors: De Mateo S , Larrauri A , Martin C , Grupo de Vigilancia de la Gripe en España Collective
Published: October 2017

Influenza activity was low in Spain between October and early December 2004, but has risen sharply since mid-December.
Muslim Hajj pilgrimage: minimising the risks of infectious disease
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

This year’s high point of the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia took place on the 19 January. At Hajj time, more than 2 million pilgrims come to Mecca, increasing the city’s population 10-fold
Emergence and dissemination of a new mechanism of resistance to aminoglycosides in Gram-negative bacteria: 16S rRNA methylation
Authors: Galimand M , Lambert T , Courvalin P
Published: October 2017

Despite the development of new ß-lactams and fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides are still a very important class of antibacterials for the treatment of severe illness caused by a variety of pathogens
Two epidemiologically distinct syphilis outbreaks in south west England detected in 2004 with few apparent links to outbreaks in urban areas
Authors: Oliver I , Christensen H
Published: October 2017

The re-emergence of syphilis in Europe has been well-documented, and in the United Kingdom, outbreaks have affected urban areas
Tsunami in south Asia and east Africa – infectious disease update
Authors: Lawrence J
Published: October 2017

Since tsunamis struck several countries in south Asia and east Africa on 26 December 2004, following an earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a massive global relief effort has been underway
Senior appointments and new facilities announced as the ECDC is inaugurated
Authors: Ekdahl K
Published: October 2017

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Director Zsuzsanna Jakab announced senior appointments at the ECDC management board meeting and inauguration on 26-7 May 2005
Update: Outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in Norway traced to air scrubber
Authors: Nygård K , Outbreak investigation collaborators Collective
Published: October 2017

As of 8 June 2005, 55 cases of legionnaires’ disease including ten deaths have been diagnosed associated with an outbreak in southeast Norway
Chlamydia screening project starts in Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Authors: Frelih T
Published: October 2017

A pilot project to screen 1000 woman aged between 18 and 30 years for genital chlamydia infection in the Nova Gorica region of Slovenia is underway.
Tickborne encephalitis outbreak in Estonia linked to raw goat milk, May-June 2005
Authors: Donchenko I , Kutsar K , Vasilenko V ,   N Kerbo
Published: October 2017

In May and June 2005, 27 cases of tickborne encephalitis (TBE) were reported to the Estonia’s Tervisekaitseinspektsioon
International outbreak of Salmonella Stourbridge infection, April- July 2005: results of epidemiological, food and veterinary investigations in France
Authors: Espié E , Vaillant V
Published: October 2017

A total of 52 cases (27 cases in France and 25 cases in six other European countries) have now been identified as a result of investigations into the international outbreak of Salmonella Stourbridge infection due to contaminated unpasteurised goat’s cheese
Healthcare workers could bring community-acquired MRSA from the US to Europe
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

A particular clone of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus which has dominated outbreaks in closed communities in the United States is increasingly appearing in Europe. A factor contributing to this spread could be increased international travel of healthcare workers for work or training
Outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections associated with a brand of beefburgers in France
Authors: French multi-agency outbreak investigation team Collective
Published: October 2017

On 24 and 25 October 2005, 5 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
Denmark scales up hepatitis B screening and vaccination for risk groups
Authors: Cowan S  A
Published: October 2017

On the basis of the conclusions from a medical technology assessment report
Research suggests avian influenza may affect more humans than previously thought
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

A significant association between households in Vietnam having sick or dead poultry and household members falling ill
Anthrax in animals and a farmer in Alto Adige, Italy
Authors: Kreidl P , Stifter E , Richter A , Aschbacher R , Nienstedt F , Unterhuber H , Barone S , Huemer H. P. , Carattoli A , Moroder L , Ciofi Degli Atti M L , Rota M C , Morosetti G , Larcher C
Published: October 2017

Between 21 and 29 December 2005, seven animals (1 bull, 1 cow, 1 sheep and 4 goats) died within 2 hours of becoming ill on a remote farm (1500 m above sea level) in Alto Adige, northern Italy
Mounting evidence of the efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccines
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

Since virus-like particles (VLP) generated by the synthesis and self-assembly in vitro of the major human papillomavirus (HPV) capsid protein (L1) were shown to work in principle as a vaccine candidate
European investigation into recent norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships: update
Authors: Koopmans M , Harris J , Verhoef L , Depoortere E , Takkinen J , Coulombier D , International outbreak investigation team Collective
Published: October 2017

The European investigation into norovirus infection outbreaks on cruise ships,
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recruiting database manager
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting applications for the position of a database manager
E-alert 24 July: Case of Lassa fever imported into Germany from Sierra Leone
Authors: Unit for Surveillance and Communication Collective , Unit for Preparedness and Response Collective , Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

A 68 year old man who recently travelled from Sierra Leone to Germany via Belgium has been diagnosed with Lassa fever
Emergence of Clostridium difficile toxinotype III, PCR-ribotype 027-associated disease, France, 2006
Authors: Coignard B , Barbut F , Blanckaert K , Thiolet J  M , Poujol I , Carbonne A , Petit J  C , Desenclos J  C
Published: October 2017

On 27 March 2006, the Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS) was alerted to a cluster of Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) in a healthcare facility in northern France
Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile toxinotype III, PCR-ribotype 027 associated disease in Belgium, 2006
Authors: Delmée M , Ramboer I , Van Broeck J , Suetens C
Published: October 2017

As a result of the reports of outbreaks of diarrhoea due to Clostridium difficile North American Pulse field type 1, PCR ribotype 027, toxinotype III in North America, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium, two different surveillance systems for C. difficile-associated diarrhoea were set up in Belgium
Increase in viral meningitis cases reported in the Autonomous Region of Madrid, Spain, 2006
Authors: Gutiérrez Rodríguez M  A , García-Comas L , Rodero Garduño I , García Fernández C , Ordobás Gavín M , Ramírez Fernández R , Red de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de la Comunidad de Madrid Collective
Published: October 2017

Between 1 January and 16 September 2006, the Epidemiological Surveillance Network of the Autonomous Region of Madrid detected 446 cases of viral meningitis
Increase in norovirus circulation in Hungary in October - November 2006
Authors: Krisztalovics K , Reuter G , Szucs G , Csohán Á , Böröcz K
Published: October 2017

From January to November 2006, 223 norovirus outbreaks were reported in Hungary. For 128 out of 223 outbreaks (57%) the norovirus agent was laboratory confirmed
Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Jamaica, October – December 2006
Authors: Lawrence J , Chiodini P
Published: October 2017

As of 13 December 2006, 56 confirmed malaria infections, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, have been reported from the city of Kingston in Jamaica [1]. Most cases occurred in the areas of
Outbreak of foodborne botulism linked to barbecue, Austria, 2006
Authors: Meusburger S , Reichert S , Heibl S , Nagl M , Karner F , Schachinger I , Allerberger F
Published: October 2017

On 3 July 2006, public health authorities in northern Austria were informed by a local hospital of a possible botulism outbreak affecting four people who had been admitted two days earlier.
New research funding opportunities from DG Research
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

New research funding opportunities that may interest Eurosurveillance readers are now available from the European Commission’s DG Research
Terminology services – an example of knowledge management in public health
Authors: Balkanyi L
Published: October 2017

The shared use of a consistent terminology is crucial to ensure interoperability of information systems and comparability of data of different sources, however, it is only rarely implemented in practice. Introducing terminology services at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is an example of how to meet this challenge in the area of public health.
Prevalence of the new genetic variant of Chlamydia trachomatis in Södra Älvsborg County, Västra Götaland Region, Sweden
Authors: Björkman J , Jonsson L , Nilsson P
Published: October 2017

In this study we investigated the prevalence of the new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT) in the collection area of Södra Älvsborg county hospital. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is one of the most widely spread STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases).
Infant Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome, Ireland, 2007 – preliminary outbreak report
Authors: O’Connell N , Mannix M , Philip R K , Slevin B , Monahan R , Boyle L , Whyte D , Kearns A , MacDonagh-White C
Published: October 2017

Between February and May 2007, five confirmed cases of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) were identified in full-term healthy infants born at a maternity unit in Ireland (hospital A). This hospital serves a population of 340,000 people, with over 4,500 babies born annually.
European bat lyssavirus type 2: human exposure in England
Authors: Duggal H
Published: October 2017

On Monday 12 August 2007, an injured Daubenton’s bat (Bat 1) was found on the first floor tower of Stokesay Castle in Shropshire in the United Kingdom (UK). Stokesay Castle is a 13th-century manor house in the countryside near the Welsh border that is open to the public.
Laboratory capacity for detection of chikungunya virus infections in Europe
Authors: Donoso-Mantke O , Niedrig M , on behalf of the ENIVD members
Published: October 2017

In June 2007, the European Network for Diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases started an external quality assurance analysis of both serological and molecular methods used for Chikungunya virus detection. Here we give preliminary results regarding the laboratory capacity and diagnostic quality for detection of CHIKV infections in Europe.
An overview of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus control in the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands
Authors: Wheeler A W , Petrie W D
Published: October 2017

There have been six confirmed cases of dengue on the Cayman Islands in the last month, introduced from residents returning from elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Contact tracing following exposure to measles at a wedding party in the United Kingdom, October 2007
Authors: Paranthaman K , Balakrishnan R , Choudhury K , Sharma A , Maduma-Butshe A , Murrell L , McCarthy N , Haworth E , Pooransingh S
Published: October 2017

On 22 October 2007, a case of suspected measles in an unvaccinated two-year-old was notified to Thames Valley Health Protection Unit by North East and North Central London Health Protection Unit.
Outbreak of Salmonella Weltevreden infections in Norway, Denmark and Finland associated with alfalfa sprouts, July-October 2007
Authors: Emberland K  E , Ethelberg S , Kuusi M , Vold L , Jensvoll L , Lindstedt B A , Nygård K , Kjelsø C , Torpdahl M , Sørensen G , Jensen T , Lukinmaa S , Niskanen T , Kapperud G
Published: October 2017

Between 10 and 15 October 2007, the national reference laboratory at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health detected Salmonella Weltevreden in samples from four gastroenteritis patients.
Norovirus outbreak associated with canteen salad in Suffolk, United Kingdom
Authors: Showell D , Sundkvist T , Reacher M , Gray J
Published: October 2017

An outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting among employees of an office in Suffolk, in the United Kingdom, was reported to the district council on 11 June 2007. An outbreak investigation was initiated immediately and a case control study was conducted to investigate the possibility of the outbreak being caused by contaminated food.
Eurosurveillance – a look back at 2007
Authors:   Ines Steffens,   Karl Ekdahl
Published: October 2017

This year has been a very important milestone in the history of Eurosurveillance. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) took over the funding and production of the journal in March with the result that, for the first time since its launch in 1995, the whole editorial team began operating from a single location.
Identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase in Sweden
Authors: Tegmark-Wisell K , Hæggman S , Gezelius L , Thompson O , Gustafsson I , Ripa T , Olsson-Liljequist B
Published: October 2017

A Klebsiella pneumoniae expressing carbapenemase type 2 (KPC-2) enzyme has been identified in Sweden. The patient, who had a history of chronic obstructive lung disease, developed a respiratory tract infection while on holiday in Greece. After initial intensive care treatment in Greece, the patient was transferred to Sweden.
Ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A in Nis, Serbia: a preliminary report
Authors: Petrovic B , Velickovic Z , Tiodorovic B
Published: October 2017

Hepatitis A is still a great problem in developing countries, especially those in which vaccination is not obligatory. It is well known that hepatitis A is associated with risk factors such as poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene. However, some investigations (e.g. in Spain and Greece) showed that the seroprevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus (HAV) in recent decades has decreased, especially in the younger adults, most likely due to improvements in living standards and hygienic conditions.
Clinical Features, Laboratory Findings and Complications of Scrub Typhus in South Indian Children
Authors: Gopalakrisna Manjunath Vaddambal , Suryaprakash Hedda , Kumar G. Shankarappa Vijay , Kumar Kalenahalli Jagadish , Murthy Doreswamy Srinivasa
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Scrub typhus clinical features are non-specific and resemble other tropical infections like malaria, dengue and typhoid fever. Therefore appropriate gold standard laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of scrub typhus. Aim of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical features, laboratory data and complications of scrub typhus in South Indian Children.Materials and Methods: Children with fever of more than seven days who were tested negative for common tropical infections were subjected to IgM-IFA for scrub typhus.Results: Out of 857 children, 74 were eligible for IFA test. Out of these, 27(3.1%) tested positive for scrub typhus. Clinical features included hepatomegaly (96.3%), generalized lymphadenopathy (81.5%), splenomegaly (81.5%), hypotension (59.3%), rash (14.8%), eschar (7.4%), thrombocytopenia (66.7%), elevation of SGOT (85.2%) and SGPT (81.5%). Complications include hepatitis (14.8%), pneumonia (14.8%), myocarditis (14.8%) meningoencephalitis (3.7%) and MODS (3.7%).Conclusion: Scrub typhus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a febrile child having hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia.
Intracranial Hemorrhage Caused by Vitamin K Deficiency Beyond Neonatal Period
Authors: Adhikari Sudhir , Gauchan Eva , Malla Tejesh , Sathian Brijesh , Rao Kalipatanam Seshagiri
Published: October 2017

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) can manifest as intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and is still prevalent in poor resource countries. Infants aged one to twelve months with the diagnosis of ICH from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2016 were included. There were 16 cases of ICH attributed to vitamin K deficiency. Clinical presentations were anemia16 (100%), bulged fontanel 13(81.3%), seizures 10(62.5%), vomiting 8(50%) and fever 9(56.3%). Mean INR at admission was 8.575±7.267 and 1.868±0.838 after three doses of vitamin K administration. Sites of intracranial bleed were parenchymal 5(31.3%), subdural 4(25%), extradural 2(12.5%), ventricular 2(12.5%). In 3(18.8%) of cases bleeding was more extensive involving more than one site. Mortality was 4(25%) and 3(18.8%) had abnormal neurological findings at discharge. There is an urgent need for national policy for vitamin K prophylaxis at birth.
Risk and Triggering Factors Associated with Bronchial Asthma Among School-Going Children in an Urban City of Coastal Karnataka
Authors: Kamath Sowmini P. , Shrishakumar Shrividya , Jain Animesh , Ramakrishna Anand , Baliga Shantharam B
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Asthma is common in childhood and is a major public health issue. The objectives of this study were to identify risk and triggering factors associated with asthma among school children.Material and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted among 6-15 years old children, over two months in two private schools at Mangalore city. Trigger factors were assessed as per asthma trigger inventory (ATI). Responses were graded from 0-5 score based on ‘never’,’ rarely’, ‘sometimes’, ‘most of the time’ and ‘always’. A predesigned questionnaire suiting the city environment was prepared and used to assess the risk and triggering factors. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16.Results: Asthma and allergic rhinitis in parents (34.1%,40.7%), smoking at home(24.2%), exclusive breast feeding absence (27.5%),early weaning(24.2%), living in a flat (37.4%) and pets at home(37.4%) were risk factors noted. As per ATI, it was found that ‘having a cold’ was the most frequently selected trigger at 94.5% (47.3% ‘sometimes’, 2.2% ‘always’), followed by ‘running’ at 79.1% (27.5% ‘sometimes’, 13.2% ‘always’), and ‘house dust’ at 69.2% (31.9% ‘sometimes’, 6.6% ‘always’). The highest mean was for infections, (2.228, SD=0.546), followed by physical exercise (2.167, SD=0.331). Animal allergens had lowest mean (1.527, SD=0.104), followed by psychological triggers at second lowest (1.579, SD=0.181). However none of the risk and trigger factors had statistical significance with asthma.Conclusion: Avoiding exposure to probable triggers and identifying risk factors would aid in planning effective strategic measures with better quality of life.
Utility of Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer in Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Kahlon Pardeep Singh , Singh Palwinder , Singh Kamail , Sharma Anubha
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most vexing problems that may occur in 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates. In order to reduce the risk of developing serious hyperbilirubinemia, it is vital to identify jaundiced infants who are in need of treatment as soon as possible. The objectives of this study were to find whether transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement correlates with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels, measured with standard laboratory method and to analyse the effect of gestational age, birth weight and postnatal life on TcB and TSB.Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Amritsar on 300 neonates with visible jaundice. These neonates were divided into various groups depending upon gestational age, birth weight and day of life. TcB readings were recorded at forehead and sternum and serum bilirubin level was measured within 30 minutes. Test of significance applied was unpaired T-test; mean value, p-value, standard deviation and Pearson's correlation coefficient 'r' were calculated.Results: Overall Mean value TcB at forehead was 15.32 with SD ± 2.75, mean TcB at sternum was 14.94 with SD ±2.51, mean value of TSB was 13.80 with SD ±2.15. Pearson’s correlation coefficient r was 0.895 for TcB forehead vs TSB, 0.903 for TcB sternum vs TSB and 0.966 between TcB forehead vs TcB sternum.Conclusion: TcB levels correlates well with the gold standard measurement of TSB. Gestational age, birth weight and day of life had no effect on TcB and TSB correlation. Transcutaneous bilirubinometer can thus be used to measure bilirubin level as a screening method for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Factors Affecting Drug Compliance in Paediatric Asthma
Authors: Singh Rajesh Kumar , Thapar Rajeev Kumar , Gupta Rakesh Kumar , YV Abhijit
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Childhood asthma is an immensely important chronic disease in children with increasing prevalence worldwide. Inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators are the key drugs in asthma therapy.Material and Methods: Compliance of childhood asthma was assessed at a tertiary care centre to find out the percentage of compliant Vs noncompliant patients and the reasons for the latter. If the patient had attended at least nine visits (> 75%) the previous year he was labelled compliant and those with less than six visits (<50%) were put in the non-complaint group.Results: Of the 374 patients attending the asthma clinic, 60 were randomly selected for the study of which 53 finally participated. In this study the compliance was 47% and gender predilection did not affect compliance. The distance a patient had to commute to reach the hospital and the mother’s education did not have any influence on the compliance. Older asthmatics exhibited better compliance in our study.Conclusion: Forty percent of our patients were compliant to regular use of prescribed medicine. Older age of the patients and care giver`s awareness about asthma were the two factors which are statistically significant in compliance with drug therapy in asthma. Gender of the patient, academic qualification and distance from the hospital did not have a significant effect on compliance.
Investigation of Effective Modification Treatments for Titanium Membranes
Authors: Kobatake Reiko , Doi Kazuya , Oki Yoshifumi , Umehara Hanako , Kawano Hiromichi , Kubo Takayasu , Tsuga Kazuhiro
Published: October 2017

Titanium membranes are used for guided bone regeneration in implant therapy. However, as a bioinert material, titanium does not have the ability to accelerate bone formation. Various titanium surface treatments to confer bioactivity have been demonstrated; however, there are concerns about the influence of chemical treatments for thin titanium membranes. This study investigated the influence of surface modifications on the structure of titanium membranes. Titanium membranes of 20 μm thickness were treated with acid or alkali solutions, and we evaluated their surface structure, wettability, thickness, and mechanical strength compared to non-treated membranes. Alkali-treated titanium membranes displayed the formation of nanoscale pore structures on their surfaces, enhanced hydrophilicity, and almost same thickness compared with acid-treated membranes. Furthermore, the tensile strength of alkali-treated membranes was comparable to non-treated membranes. These results suggest that alkali treatment is an appropriate surface modification method for titanium membranes.
A Novel Image Segmentation Approach for Microstructure Modelling
Authors: Watson Michael , Marshall Matthew
Published: October 2017

Microstructure models are used to investigate bulk properties of a material given images of its microstructure. Through their use the effect of microstructural features can be investigated independently. Processes can then be optimised to give the desired selection of microstructural features. Currently automatic methods of segmenting SEM images either miss cracks leading to large overestimates of properties or use unjustifiable methods to select a threshold point which class cracks as porosity leading to over estimates of porosity. In this work, a novel automatic image segmentation method is presented which produces maps for each phase in the microstructure and an additional phase of cracks. The selection of threshold points is based on the assumption that the brightness values for each phase should be normally distributed. The image segmentation method has been compared to other available methods and shown to be as or more repeatable with changes of brightness and contrast of the input image than relevant alternatives. The resulting modelling route is able to predict density and specific heat to within experimental error, while the expected under predictions for thermal conductivity are observed.
An Overview on Magnetic Field and Electric Field Interactions with Ice Crystallisation; Application in the Case of Frozen Food
Authors: Jha Piyush , Xanthakis Epameinondas , Jury Vanessa , Le-Bail Alain
Published: October 2017

Ice nucleation is a stochastic process and it is very difficult to be controlled. Freezing technologies and more specifically crystallisation assisted by magnetic, electric and electromagnetic fields have the capability to interact with nucleation. Static magnetic field (SMF) may affect matter crystallisation; however, this is still under debate in the literature. Static electric field (SEF) has a significant effect on crystallisation; this has been evidenced experimentally and confirmed by the theory. Oscillating magnetic field induces an oscillating electric field and is also expected to interact with water crystallisation. Oscillating electromagnetic fields interact with water, perturb and even disrupt hydrogen bonds, which in turn are thought to increase the degree of supercooling and to generate numerous fine ice crystals. Based on the literature, it seems that the frequency has an influence on the above-mentioned phenomena. This review article summarizes the fundamentals of freezing under magnetic, electric and electromagnetic fields, as well as their applicability and potentials within the food industry.