Ongoing monkeypox virus outbreak, Portugal, 29 April to 23 May 2022

Up to 27 May 2022, Portugal has detected 96 confirmed cases of monkeypox. We describe 27 confirmed cases (median age: 33 years (range: 22–51); all males), with an earliest symptom onset date of 29 April. Almost all cases (n = 25) live in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley health region. Most cases were neither part of identified transmission chains, nor linked to travel or had contact with symptomatic persons or with animals, suggesting the possible previously undetected spread of monkeypox.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of vital and dispensable sulfur utilization factors in the Plasmodium apicoplast

Iron-sulfur [Fe-S] clusters are ubiquitous and critical cofactors in diverse biochemical processes. They are assembled by distinct [Fe-S] cluster biosynthesis pathways, typically in organelles of endosymbiotic origin. Apicomplexan parasites, including Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, harbor two separate [Fe-S] cluster biosynthesis pathways in the their mitochondrion and apicoplast. In this study, we systematically targeted the five nuclear-encoded sulfur utilization factors (SUF) of the apicoplast [Fe-S] cluster biosynthesis pathway by experimental genetics in the murine malaria model parasite Plasmodium berghei. We show that four SUFs, namely SUFC, D, E, and S are refractory to targeted gene deletion, validating them as potential targets for antimalarial drug development. We achieved targeted deletion of SUFA, which encodes a potential [Fe-S] transfer protein, indicative of a dispensable role during asexual blood stage growth in vivo. Furthermore, no abnormalities were observed during Plasmodium life cycle progression in the insect and mammalian hosts. Fusion of a fluorescent tag to the endogenous P. berghei SUFs demonstrated that all loci were accessible to genetic modification and that all five tagged SUFs localize to the apicoplast. Together, our experimental genetics analysis identifies the key components of the SUF [Fe-S] cluster biosynthesis pathway in the apicoplast of a malarial parasite and shows that absence of SUFC, D, E, or S is incompatible with Plasmodium blood infection in vivo

A large proportion of people who inject drugs are susceptible to hepatitis B: Results from a bio-behavioural study in eight German cities

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by sharing needles and drug use paraphernalia. In Germany, no routine surveillance of HBV prevalence and vaccination coverage among PWID exists. Methods: Socio-demographic and behavioural data were collected between 2011 and 2014 through face-to-face interviews, during a bio-behavioural survey of PWID recruited in eight German cities. Dried blood spots (DBS) prepared with capillary blood were tested for HBV markers. Factors associated with past/current HBV infection and vaccination status were analysed by univariable and multivariable analysis using logistic regression. The validity of self-reported HBV infection and vaccination status was analysed by comparison to the laboratory results. Results: Among 2077 participants, the prevalence of current HBV infection was 1.1%, of past HBV infection was 24%, and of vaccine-induced HBV antibodies was 32%. No detectable HBV antibodies were found in 43%. HBV infection status was significantly associated with study city, age, years of injecting, use of stimulants, migration status, and homelessness; HBV vaccination status was significantly associated with study city, age, and level of education. Correct infection status was reported by 71% and correct vaccination status by 45%. Conclusions: HBV seroprevalence among PWID was about five times higher than in the general population in Germany, confirming PWID as an important risk group. Targeted information campaigns on HBV and HBV prevention for PWID and professionals in contact with PWID need to be intensified. Routinely offered HBV vaccination during imprisonment and opioid substitution therapy would likely improve vaccination rates among PWID