Respiratory syncytial virus: time for surveillance across all ages, with a focus on adults

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of serious respiratory illness, can affect individuals of all ages, especially children below two years of age and adults 60 years of age and above, as well as individuals with chronic comorbidities, such as chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular conditions, and immunocompromised individuals [1,2]. In adults, clinical outcomes of RSV infection vary from mild, cold-like symptoms to more serious complications, including pneumonia, exacerbations of chronic medical conditions (e.g. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure), and can lead to death [3]. The RSV-related hospitalisation burden is especially high in older adults. A meta-analysis conducted on data from high-income countries across different continents (based on literature published between 1 January 2000 and 3 November 2021) estimated that approximately 470 000 individuals 60 years of age and above were hospitalised in 2019 due to RSV, of whom approximately 33 000 died. The pooled estimate for RSV acute respiratory infection (ARI) attack rate was 1.62% (95% CI = 0.84–3.08%), corresponding to an estimated 5.2 million RSV-associated ARI cases [2]. As RSV symptoms in adults resemble those of other common respiratory viruses (e.g. influenza), clinical diagnosis of RSV may be challenging.Circulation of the two major RSV antigenic groups (A and B) is seasonal in temperate climates, with a peak during the winter months, but has a more variable pattern in tropical climates. In addition, RSV circulation overlaps with the influenza season but usually lasts longer (16–22 vs. 6–8 weeks, respectively) [1]. Human respiratory syncytial virus circulation was impacted during the first two years of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with RSV cases substantially declining after the widespread implementation of public health and social measures and re-emerging out of season when measures were gradually lifted [4].Human respiratory syncytial virus surveillance is limited, geographically heterogeneous, and does not systematically include all age groups. While the burden of RSV is highest among very young children, adults 60 years of age and above, and individuals with underlying health conditions, other populations also contribute to RSV transmission. Therefore, improved RSV surveillance systems are needed to better understand the epidemiology of RSV and inform public health measures. To identify the current challenges in RSV surveillance in adults and the ways to expand RSV surveillance systems, an advisory board among seven experts with national and international expertise in infectious diseases and surveillance was held in August 2022. The main points discussed by the group are summarised in plain language in Figure 1.<br/

The relationship between mental health, sleep quality and the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Sleep modulates the immune response, and sleep loss can reduce vaccine immunogenicity; vice versa, immune responses impact sleep. We aimed to investigate the influence of mental health and sleep quality on the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccinations and, conversely, of COVID-19 vaccinations on sleep quality. The prospective CoVacSer study monitored mental health, sleep quality and Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG titres in a cohort of 1082 healthcare workers from 29 September 2021 to 19 December 2022. Questionnaires and blood samples were collected before, 14 days, and 3 months after the third COVID-19 vaccination, as well as in 154 participants before and 14 days after the fourth COVID-19 vaccination. Healthcare workers with psychiatric disorders had slightly lower Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG levels before the third COVID-19 vaccination. However, this effect was mediated by higher median age and body mass index in this subgroup. Antibody titres following the third and fourth COVID-19 vaccinations ("booster vaccinations") were not significantly different between subgroups with and without psychiatric disorders. Sleep quality did not affect the humoral immunogenicity of the COVID-19 vaccinations. Moreover, the COVID-19 vaccinations did not impact self-reported sleep quality. Our data suggest that in a working population neither mental health nor sleep quality relevantly impact the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccinations, and that COVID-19 vaccinations do not cause a sustained deterioration of sleep, suggesting that they are not a precipitating factor for insomnia. The findings from this large-scale real-life cohort study will inform clinical practice regarding the recommendation of COVID-19 booster vaccinations for individuals with mental health and sleep problems

Immunogenicity and safety of coadministration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination.

Seasonal influenza vaccination is established as important infection prevention measure, especially among highly exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) [1]. Coadministration with the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine could be an efficient strategy protecting HCWs from two major viral respiratory infections [2–4]. To date, the humoral immunogenicity and side effects of a coadministered third COVID-19 and a seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine are still unclear, the available data is limited in transferability to the general public [5–7]. This preference-based non-randomised controlled study examines the antibody-mediated immunogenicity and vaccine-related side effects of mRNA-based COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccine coadministration in HCWs

Invasive haemophilus influenzae infections in Germany after the introduction of routine childhood immunization, 2001–2016

Background. Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) serotype b (Hib) vaccination was introduced in Germany in 1990. This study presents a comprehensive overview on the burden of invasive Hi infections for 2001–2016, including serotype distribution and ampicillin resistance. Methods. Nationwide data from statutory disease surveillance (2001–2016) were linked with laboratory surveillance data (2009–2016). Besides descriptive epidemiology, statistical analyses included multiple imputation to estimate secular trends. Results. In 2001–2016, 4044 invasive Hi infections were reported. The mean incidence was 3.0 per million inhabitants, higher in males (3.2 vs 2.9 in females) and in the age groups <1 year (15.2) and ≥80 years (15.5). Nontypeable Hi (NTHi) caused 81% (n = 1545) of cases in 2009–2016. Of capsulated cases, 69% were serotype f and 17% serotype b. Of Hib cases eligible for vaccination, 10% (3/29) were fully vaccinated. For 2009–2016, significant increasing trends were observed for NTHi and Hif infections in the age groups <5 years and ≥60 years and for ampicillin resistance in NTHi. Conclusions. This is one of the most comprehensive Hi data analyses since the introduction of Hib vaccines. NTHi and Hif cause an increasing disease burden among elderly patients and infants. Ampicillin resistance in NTHi must be considered in the treatment of invasive Hi infections.Peer Reviewe

High precision astrometry mission for the detection and characterization of nearby habitable planetary systems with the Nearby Earth Astrometric Telescope (NEAT)

(abridged) A complete census of planetary systems around a volume-limited sample of solar-type stars (FGK dwarfs) in the Solar neighborhood with uniform sensitivity down to Earth-mass planets within their Habitable Zones out to several AUs would be a major milestone in extrasolar planets astrophysics. This fundamental goal can be achieved with a mission concept such as NEAT - the Nearby Earth Astrometric Telescope. NEAT is designed to carry out space-borne extremely-high-precision astrometric measurements sufficient to detect dynamical effects due to orbiting planets of mass even lower than Earth's around the nearest stars. Such a survey mission would provide the actual planetary masses and the full orbital geometry for all the components of the detected planetary systems down to the Earth-mass limit. The NEAT performance limits can be achieved by carrying out differential astrometry between the targets and a set of suitable reference stars in the field. The NEAT instrument design consists of an off-axis parabola single-mirror telescope, a detector with a large field of view made of small movable CCDs located around a fixed central CCD, and an interferometric calibration system originating from metrology fibers located at the primary mirror. The proposed mission architecture relies on the use of two satellites operating at L2 for 5 years, flying in formation and offering a capability of more than 20,000 reconfigurations (alternative option uses deployable boom). The NEAT primary science program will encompass an astrometric survey of our 200 closest F-, G- and K-type stellar neighbors, with an average of 50 visits. The remaining time might be allocated to improve the characterization of the architecture of selected planetary systems around nearby targets of specific interest (low-mass stars, young stars, etc.) discovered by Gaia, ground-based high-precision radial-velocity surveys.Comment: Accepted for publication in Experimental Astronomy. The full member list of the NEAT proposal and the news about the project are available at http://neat.obs.ujf-grenoble.fr. The final publication is available at http://www.springerlink.co

Increase of invasive meningococcal serogroup W disease in Europe, 2013 to 2017

Background: The total incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Europe has been declining in recent years; however, a rising incidence due to serogroup W (MenW), predominantly sequence type 11 (ST-11), clonal complex 11 (cc11), was reported in some European countries. Aim: The aim of this study was to compile the most recent laboratory surveillance data on MenW IMD from several European countries to assess recent trends in Europe. Methods: In this observational, retrospective study, IMD surveillance data collected from 2013–17 by national reference laboratories and surveillance units from 13 European countries were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The overall incidence of IMD has been stable during the study period. Incidence of MenW IMD per 100,000 population (2013: 0.03; 2014: 0.05; 2015: 0.08; 2016: 0.11; 2017: 0.11) and the proportion of this serogroup among all invasive cases (2013: 5% (116/2,216); 2014: 9% (161/1,761); 2015: 13% (271/2,074); 2016: 17% (388/2,222); 2017: 19% (393/2,112)) continuously increased. The most affected countries were England, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. MenW was more frequent in older age groups (≥ 45 years), while the proportion in children (< 15 years) was lower than in other age groups. Of the culture-confirmed MenW IMD cases, 80% (615/767) were caused by hypervirulent cc11. Conclusion: During the years 2013–17, an increase in MenW IMD, mainly caused by MenW cc11, was observed in the majority of European countries. Given the unpredictable nature of meningococcal spread and the epidemiological potential of cc11, European countries may consider preventive strategies adapted to their contexts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The European Insomnia Guideline : An update on the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia 2023

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Sleep Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Sleep Research Society.Progress in the field of insomnia since 2017 necessitated this update of the European Insomnia Guideline. Recommendations for the diagnostic procedure for insomnia and its comorbidities are: clinical interview (encompassing sleep and medical history); the use of sleep questionnaires and diaries (and physical examination and additional measures where indicated) (A). Actigraphy is not recommended for the routine evaluation of insomnia (C), but may be useful for differential-diagnostic purposes (A). Polysomnography should be used to evaluate other sleep disorders if suspected (i.e. periodic limb movement disorder, sleep-related breathing disorders, etc.), treatment-resistant insomnia (A) and for other indications (B). Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia is recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults of any age (including patients with comorbidities), either applied in-person or digitally (A). When cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia is not sufficiently effective, a pharmacological intervention can be offered (A). Benzodiazepines (A), benzodiazepine receptor agonists (A), daridorexant (A) and low-dose sedating antidepressants (B) can be used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (≤ 4 weeks). Longer-term treatment with these substances may be initiated in some cases, considering advantages and disadvantages (B). Orexin receptor antagonists can be used for periods of up to 3 months or longer in some cases (A). Prolonged-release melatonin can be used for up to 3 months in patients ≥ 55 years (B). Antihistaminergic drugs, antipsychotics, fast-release melatonin, ramelteon and phytotherapeutics are not recommended for insomnia treatment (A). Light therapy and exercise interventions may be useful as adjunct therapies to cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (B).Peer reviewe