MSR3 Comparing Statistical Adjustments to Correct Misclassification of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections (RSV) in Claims Data

Steinmann M, Schmidt J, Greiner W. MSR3 Comparing Statistical Adjustments to Correct Misclassification of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections (RSV) in Claims Data. In: Value in Health. Vol 26. Elsevier BV; 2023

EPH124 Validity of Outpatient ICD-10 Codes to Identify Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Estimating Sensitivity and Specificity of Health Administrative Claims Data

Steinmann M, Schmidt J, Greiner W. EPH124 Validity of Outpatient ICD-10 Codes to Identify Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Estimating Sensitivity and Specificity of Health Administrative Claims Data. In: Value in Health. Vol 26. Elsevier BV; 2023

Potenziale quasiexperimenteller Studiendesigns für gesundheitsökonomische Analysen

Elkenkamp S, Steinmann M, Lampe D, Düvel JA. Potenziale quasiexperimenteller Studiendesigns für gesundheitsökonomische Analysen. Public Health Forum. 2022;30(3):185-189.**Zusammenfassung** Gesundheitsökonomische Analysen leisten einen maßgeblichen Beitrag für die Versorgungsforschung. Für den Wirksamkeitsbeleg von Innovationen weisen RCTs eine hohe interne Validität auf, sind aber mit einem hohen Ressourcenaufwand verbunden. Klinische Bedingungen sind nicht problemlos auf den Versorgungsalltag übertragbar. Der Beitrag zeigt, dass Quasiexperimente mit dem Einsatz geeigneter Matchingverfahren Einschränkungen der internen Validität aufheben und eine effiziente Alternative sein können

Evaluation of a virucidal quantitative carrier test for surface disinfectants

Surface disinfectants are part of broader preventive strategies preventing the transmission of bacteria, fungi and viruses in medical institutions. To evaluate their virucidal efficacy, these products must be tested with appropriate model viruses with different physico-chemical properties under conditions representing practical application in hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate a quantitative carrier assay. Furthermore, different putative model viruses like adenovirus type 5 (AdV-5) and different animal parvoviruses were evaluated with respect to their tenacity and practicability in laboratory handling. To evaluate the robustness of the method, some of the viruses were tested in parallel in different laboratories in a multi-center study. Different biocides, which are common active ingredients of surface disinfectants, were used in the test. After drying on stainless steel discs as the carrier, model viruses were exposed to different concentrations of three alcohols, peracetic acid (PAA) or glutaraldehyde (GDA), with a fixed exposure time of 5 minutes. Residual virus was determined after treatment by endpoint titration. All parvoviruses exhibited a similar stability with respect to GDA, while AdV-5 was more susceptible. For PAA, the porcine parvovirus was more sensitive than the other parvoviruses, and again, AdV-5 presented a higher susceptibility than the parvoviruses. All parvoviruses were resistant to alcohols, while AdV-5 was only stable when treated with 2-propanol. The analysis of the results of the multi-center study showed a high reproducibility of this test system. In conclusion, two viruses with different physico-chemical properties can be recommended as appropriate model viruses for the evaluation of the virucidal efficacy of surface disinfectants: AdV-5, which has a high clinical impact, and murine parvovirus (MVM) with the highest practicability among the parvoviruses tested

Inactivation of Polyomavirus SV40 as Surrogate for Human Papillomaviruses by Chemical Disinfectants

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are non-enveloped DNA viruses infecting cutaneous and mucosal squamous epithelia. Sexually transmitted HPV-types that are carcinogenic to humans such as HPV16 can induce cervical and other anogenital cancers. Virus transmission through fomites such as inadequately disinfected gynecological equipment is a further potential transmission route. Since HPV cannot be easily grown in cell culture, polyomavirus SV40 has been used as a surrogate virus when testing the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants. So far, studies that have compared the virucidal activity of different disinfectants against HPV and SV40 are lacking. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility of HPV16 pseudovirus and SV40 to seven active biocidal substances using quantitative suspension tests. Ethanol, glutaraldehyde (GTA), dodecyldipropylentriamin (DPTA), and ortho-phthalaldehydes (OPA) were able to reduce the infectivity of HPV16 pseudovirus > 99.99% after 5 min. In contrast, isopropanol, peracetic acid (PAA), and quaternary ammonium compounds with alkylamines (QAC) only led to a slight or no reduction in infectivity. Concerning SV40, only GTA (60 min contact time), PAA, and OPA had virus-inactivating effects. In conclusion, the virucidal activity of three out of seven disinfectants tested was different for HPV16 pseudovirus and SV40. In this study, SV40 was shown to be a reliable surrogate virus for HPV when testing isopropanol-, GTA-, QAC-, and OPA-based disinfectants

Desinfektionsmittel in der COVID-19-Pandemie: eine Herausforderung

Durch die COVID-19-Pandemie haben Desinfektionsmaßnahmen auch in Deutschland an Bedeutung gewonnen. Der erhöhte Bedarf an Desinfektionsmitteln zu Beginn der Pandemie erforderte es, vorübergehende rechtliche Regelungen zu treffen, um einerseits ausreichend Mittel für die notwendige Desinfektion im medizinischen Bereich und andererseits für den zusätzlichen Bedarf in der Bevölkerung zur Verfügung zu haben. Dazu wurden vom Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM) und der Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA) Allgemeinverfügungen erlassen, die in diesem Beitrag näher erläutert werden. Im Vordergrund stehen dabei die Maßnahmen für die hygienische Händedesinfektion. Aber auch weitere Anwendungen wie die Flächendesinfektion im Zusammenhang mit pandemischen Atemwegserkrankungen werden erörtert. Die Erfahrungen bei der Sicherstellung der Versorgung mit wirksamen und in der Anwendung sicheren Desinfektionsmitteln sollten für die Vorbereitung weiterer Pandemien genutzt werden.Disinfection measures have become more important as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The increased need for disinfectants at the beginning of the pandemic required temporary legal regulations in order to provide a sufficient quantity of products for the necessary disinfection in the medical sector on the one hand and for the additional demand in the population on the other. For this purpose, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) issued a general ruling, which is explained in more detail in this article. The focus was on measures for hygienic hand disinfection. However, other applications such as surface disinfection in relation to pandemic respiratory diseases are also addressed. The experience gained in ensuring the supply of disinfectants that are effective and safe to use should be used to prepare for further pandemics

Risk factors for herpes zoster infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis unveiling common trends and heterogeneity patterns

Steinmann M, Lampe D, Grosser J, et al. Risk factors for herpes zoster infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis unveiling common trends and heterogeneity patterns. Infection. 2024.**Purpose** The burden of herpes zoster (HZ) is substantial and numerous chronic underlying conditions are known as predisposing risk factors for HZ onset. Thus, a comprehensive study is needed to synthesize existing evidence. This study aims to comprehensively identify these risk factors. **Methods** A systematic literature search was done using MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for studies published from January 1, 2003 to January 1, 2023. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled Odds Ratios (OR). Heterogeneity was assessed using theI2statistic. For sensitivity analyses basic outlier removal, leave-one-out validation and Graphic Display of Heterogeneity (GOSH) plots with different algorithms were employed to further analyze heterogeneity patterns. Finally, a multiple meta-regression was conducted. **Results** Of 6392 considered records, 80 were included in the meta-analysis. 21 different conditions were identified as potential risk factors for HZ: asthma, autoimmune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, endocrine and metabolic disorders, hematological disorders, HIV, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mental health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, psoriasis, renal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and transplantation. Transplantation was associated with the highest risk of HZ (OR = 4.51 (95% CI [1.9–10.7])). Other risk factors ranged from OR = 1.17–2.87, indicating an increased risk for all underlying conditions. Heterogeneity was substantial in all provided analyses. Sensitivity analyses showed comparable results regarding the pooled effects and heterogeneity. **Conclusions** This study showed an increased risk of HZ infections for all identified factors