Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020.

Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3–5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Supplementary Material for: Gender-Specific Antenatal Growth Reference Charts in Monochorionic Twins

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To create antenatal gender-specific reference growth charts in uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic twins. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> This is a prospective longitudinal study in which uncomplicated monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies were included from 23 + 4 weeks of gestation onwards. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) and biometric parameters (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length) were evaluated in both fetuses every 2 weeks using standardized methodology. Maternal and fetal complications were excluded. Charts were fitted for each biometric parameter and EFW in relation to gestational age and fetal gender using multilevel mixed models. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The final analysis included a total of 456 ultrasound examinations in 62 MC twins, with a mean of 7 scans per pregnancy (range 5–8). The mean as well as 5th and 95th percentiles of each biometric parameter and EFW were adjusted in relation to gender and gestational age between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation. Male fetuses have higher reference values than females, and the disparity is larger in the upper centiles of the distribution. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> We provide gender-specific reference growth charts for MC twins. We suggest that these charts will improve prenatal MC twin assessment and surveillance, with a more accurate classification of normal or growth-restricted fetuses adjusted per sex

Resistência antimicrobiana em Salmonella Enteritidis isoladas de amostras clínicas e ambientais de frangos de corte e matrizes pesadas Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from clinical and environmental broiler chickens and breeders broiler

<abstract language="eng">The antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella Enteritidis strains isolated from clinical and environmental poultry samples in the Southern Brazil during the years of 1999, 2000 and 2001 was evaluated. Among the 79 isolated samples, 64 (81%) were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents tested, showing 22 different resistance patterns. Tetracycline showed the highest percentage (64,5%) of resistance among the antimicrobial agents used. Resistance to drugs at different levels was found as the following: ampicillin (1.2%), kanamycin (1.2%), ciprofloxacin (2.5%), enrofloxacin (8.8%), gentamicin (21.5%), streptomycin (20.2%), nitrofurantoin (26.6%), and nalidixic acid (30.4%). None of the S. Enteritidis strains were resistant to chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, and polimycin B. Among the 64 S. Enteritidis strains that showed resistance, 43 (67.2%) were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents. Twenty-one (32.8%) strains were resistant to only one of the antimicrobial agents, 14 to tetracycline, three to nalidixic acid, three to nitrofurantoin, and one to gentamycin. These antimicrobial resistance levels suggest a high occurrence of tetracycline resistant S. Enteritidis strains and resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents

Azole and amphotericin B MIC values against aspergillus fumigatus: High agreement between spectrophotometric and visual readings using the EUCAST EDef 9.3.2 procedure

The EUCAST EDef 9.3.2 procedure recommends visual readings of azole and amphotericin B MICs against Aspergillus spp. Visual determination of MICs may be challenging. In this work, we aim to obtain and compare visual and spectrophotometric MIC readings of azoles and amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus sensu lato isolates. A total of 847 A. fumigatus sensu lato isolates (A. fumigatus sensu stricto [n = 828] and cryptic species [n = 19]) were tested against amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole using the EUCAST EDef 9.3.2 procedure. Isolates were classified as susceptible or resistant/non-wild type according to the 2020 updated breakpoints. The area of technical uncertainty for the azoles was defined in the updated breakpoints. Visual and spectrophotometric (fungal growth reduction of >95% compared to the control, read at 540 nm) MICs were compared. Essential (+1 2-fold dilution) and categorical agreements were calculated. Overall, high essential (97.1%) and categorical (99.6%) agreements were found. We obtained 100% categorical agreements for amphotericin B, itraconazole, and posaconazole, and consequently, no errors were found. Categorical agreements were 98.7 and 99.3% for voriconazole and isavuconazole, respectively. Most of the misclassifications for voriconazole and isavuconazole were found to be associated with MIC results falling either in the area of technical uncertainty or within one 2-fold dilution above the breakpoint. The resistance rate was slightly lower when the MICs were obtained by spectrophotometric readings. However, all relevant cyp51A mutants were correctly classified as resistant. Spectrophotometric determination of azole and amphotericin B MICs against A. fumigatus sensu lato isolates may be a convenient alternative to visual endpoint readings

Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en españa 2016; informe del grupo de nutrición artificial domiciliaria y ambulatoria NAYDA

Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria (NADYA-SENPE; www.nadya-senpe.com) del año 2016. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2016. Resultados: se registraron 286 pacientes (54, 2% mujeres), 34 niños y 252 adultos, procedentes de 42 hospitales españoles con 294 episodios, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 6, 16 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2016. El diagnóstico más frecuente en adultos fue de oncológico paliativo (25, 8%), seguido de otros. En niños, fue de alteraciones de la motilidad con 6 casos (17, 6%), la enfermedad de Hirschsprung y la enterocolitis necrotizante, ambos con 5 niños (14, 7%). El primer motivo de indicación fue síndrome de intestino corto tanto en niños (64, 7%) como en adultos (37, 3%), seguido de obstrucción intestinal, 28, 6% en adultos y 14, 7% en niños. El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en niños (70, 6%) como en adultos (37, 9%), y la complicación más frecuente en adultos fue la infección relacionada con el catéter, que presentó una tasa de 0, 48 infecciones/1.000 días de NPD. Durante este periodo, finalizaron 71 episodios en adultos siendo la causa de finalización principal el fallecimiento (57, 7%) y paso a vía oral (31%). Conclusiones: se constata un incremento progresivo de centros y profesionales colaboradores en el registro de pacientes que reciben NPD. Las principales indicaciones de NPD y de motivo de finalización se mantienen estables. Objective: To communicate HPN data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.com) for the year 2016. Material and methods: Descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2016. Results: There were 286 patients from 42 Spanish hospitals (54.2% women), 34 children and 252 adults, with 294 episodes, which represent a prevalence rate of 6.16 patients/million inhabitants/year 2016. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was “palliative cancer” (25.8%), followed by “others”. In children it was “motility alterations” with 6 cases (17.6%), Hirschsprung’s disease and necrotising enterocolitis, both with 5 children (14.7%). The first indication was short bowel syndrome in both children (64.7%) and adults (37.3%), followed by intestinal obstruction in 28.6% adults and 14.7% in children. The most frequently used type of catheter was tunnelled in both children (70.6%) and adults (37.9%). The most frequent complication in adults was infection related to the catheter, which presented a rate of 0.48 infections/1, 000 days of NPD. During this period, 71 episodes ended in adults and the main cause was death (57.7%) followed by resuming the oral route (31%). Conclusions: There is a progressive increase of centers and professional collaborators in the registry who report patients receiving parenteral nutrition at home. The main indications of HPN and the motive for ending have remained stable