Hepatitis A outbreak disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) in the European Union and European Economic Area, June 2016 to May 2017

Free PMC Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6205254/Between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017, 17 European Union (EU) and European Economic Area countries reported 4,096 cases associated with a multi-country hepatitis A (HA) outbreak. Molecular analysis identified three co-circulating hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains of genotype IA: VRD_521_2016, V16-25801 and RIVM-HAV16-090. We categorised cases as confirmed, probable or possible, according to the EU outbreak case definitions. Confirmed cases were infected with one of the three outbreak strains. We investigated case characteristics and strain-specific risk factors for transmission. A total of 1,400 (34%) cases were confirmed; VRD_521_2016 and RIVM-HAV16-090 accounted for 92% of these. Among confirmed cases with available epidemiological data, 92% (361/393) were unvaccinated, 43% (83/195) travelled to Spain during the incubation period and 84% (565/676) identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). Results depict an HA outbreak of multiple HAV strains, within a cross-European population, that was particularly driven by transmission between non-immune MSM engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour. The most effective preventive measure to curb this outbreak is HAV vaccination of MSM, supplemented by primary prevention campaigns that target the MSM population and promote protective sexual behaviour.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

25th annual computational neuroscience meeting: CNS-2016

The same neuron may play different functional roles in the neural circuits to which it belongs. For example, neurons in the Tritonia pedal ganglia may participate in variable phases of the swim motor rhythms [1]. While such neuronal functional variability is likely to play a major role the delivery of the functionality of neural systems, it is difficult to study it in most nervous systems. We work on the pyloric rhythm network of the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) [2]. Typically network models of the STG treat neurons of the same functional type as a single model neuron (e.g. PD neurons), assuming the same conductance parameters for these neurons and implying their synchronous firing [3, 4]. However, simultaneous recording of PD neurons shows differences between the timings of spikes of these neurons. This may indicate functional variability of these neurons. Here we modelled separately the two PD neurons of the STG in a multi-neuron model of the pyloric network. Our neuron models comply with known correlations between conductance parameters of ionic currents. Our results reproduce the experimental finding of increasing spike time distance between spikes originating from the two model PD neurons during their synchronised burst phase. The PD neuron with the larger calcium conductance generates its spikes before the other PD neuron. Larger potassium conductance values in the follower neuron imply longer delays between spikes, see Fig. 17.Neuromodulators change the conductance parameters of neurons and maintain the ratios of these parameters [5]. Our results show that such changes may shift the individual contribution of two PD neurons to the PD-phase of the pyloric rhythm altering their functionality within this rhythm. Our work paves the way towards an accessible experimental and computational framework for the analysis of the mechanisms and impact of functional variability of neurons within the neural circuits to which they belong

Overview of the research activities in earthquake engineering and seismic risk assessment within the joint framework cea-edf-framatome-irsn

International audienceThe French nuclear community is highly active in the field of earthquake engineering and more precisely, regarding seismic risk assessment. Among the existing safety-oriented frameworks, there is one which involves not only nuclear operators such as Electricité de France (EDF), the French Sustainable Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and FRAMATOME, but also the French technical support organization which is the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). Within this framework, research activities are conducted, aiming to enhance knowledge in order to improve nuclear safety of either existing or new facilities. These activities deal with topics and challenging issues that appear to be significant in the seismic risk assessment process. More precisely, they aim to better assess the seismic margins when available, to better understand the beyond-design behavior of nuclear buildings or related equipment and to improve the necessary knowledge to produce robust seismic hazard assessment studies. The main objective of this paper is to give an overview of the past, ongoing, and future joint activities carried out by CEA-EDF-FRAMATOME-IRSN and will especially highlight main findings and future challenges and opportunities in the field of seismic safety of nuclear facilities. To reach the objective, technical focus will be made during the presentation

Overview of the research activities in earthquake engineering and seismic risk assessment within the joint framework cea-edf-framatome-irsn

International audienceThe French nuclear community is highly active in the field of earthquake engineering and more precisely, regarding seismic risk assessment. Among the existing safety-oriented frameworks, there is one which involves not only nuclear operators such as Electricité de France (EDF), the French Sustainable Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and FRAMATOME, but also the French technical support organization which is the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). Within this framework, research activities are conducted, aiming to enhance knowledge in order to improve nuclear safety of either existing or new facilities. These activities deal with topics and challenging issues that appear to be significant in the seismic risk assessment process. More precisely, they aim to better assess the seismic margins when available, to better understand the beyond-design behavior of nuclear buildings or related equipment and to improve the necessary knowledge to produce robust seismic hazard assessment studies. The main objective of this paper is to give an overview of the past, ongoing, and future joint activities carried out by CEA-EDF-FRAMATOME-IRSN and will especially highlight main findings and future challenges and opportunities in the field of seismic safety of nuclear facilities. To reach the objective, technical focus will be made during the presentation

Hepatitis A outbreak disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) in the European Union and European Economic Area, June 2016 to May 2017

Between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017, 17 European Union (EU) and European Economic Area countries reported 4,096 cases associated with a multi-country hepatitis A (HA) outbreak. Molecular analysis identified three co-circulating hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains of genotype IA: VRD_521_2016, V16–25801 and RIVM-HAV16–090. We categorised cases as confirmed, probable or possible, according to the EU outbreak case definitions. Confirmed cases were infected with one of the three outbreak strains. We investigated case characteristics and strain-specific risk factors for transmission. A total of 1,400 (34%) cases were confirmed; VRD_521_2016 and RIVM-HAV16–090 accounted for 92% of these. Among confirmed cases with available epidemiological data, 92% (361/393) were unvaccinated, 43% (83/195) travelled to Spain during the incubation period and 84% (565/676) identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). Results depict an HA outbreak of multiple HAV strains, within a cross-European population, that was particularly driven by transmission between non-immune MSM engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour. The most effective preventive measure to curb this outbreak is HAV vaccination of MSM, supplemented by primary prevention campaigns that target the MSM population and promote protective sexual behaviour.Peer Reviewe

Serologic screening for 13 infectious agents in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Flanders.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;INTRODUCTION: &lt;/b&gt;In order to investigate the role of roe deer in the maintenance and transmission of infectious animal and human diseases in Flanders, we conducted a serologic screening in 12 hunting areas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;MATERIALS AND METHODS: &lt;/b&gt;Roe deer sera collected between 2008 and 2013 (n=190) were examined for antibodies against 13 infectious agents, using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, virus neutralisation, immunofluorescence, or microagglutination test, depending on the agent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: &lt;/b&gt;High numbers of seropositives were found for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (45.8%), Toxoplasma gondii (43.2%) and Schmallenberg virus (27.9%), the latter with a distinct temporal distribution pattern following the outbreak in domestic ruminants. Lower antibody prevalence was found for Chlamydia abortus (6.7%), tick-borne encephalitis virus (5.1%), Neospora caninum (4.8%), and Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (4.1%). The lowest prevalences were found for Leptospira (1.7%), bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (1.3%), and Coxiella burnetii (1.2%). No antibodies were found against Brucella sp., bovine herpesvirus 1, and bluetongue virus. A significant difference in seroprevalence between ages (higher in adults &gt;1 year) was found for N. caninum. Four doubtful reacting sera accounted for a significant difference in seroprevalence between sexes for C. abortus (higher in females).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;CONCLUSIONS: &lt;/b&gt;Despite the more intensive landscape use in Flanders, the results are consistent with other European studies. Apart from maintaining C. abortus and MAP, roe deer do not seem to play an important role in the epidemiology of the examined zoonotic and domestic animal pathogens. Nevertheless, their meaning as sentinels should not be neglected in the absence of other wild cervid species.&lt;/p&gt;</p