Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three available genomic nomenclature systems for SARS-CoV-2 to all sequence data from the WHO European Region available during the COVID-19 pandemic until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation. We provide a comparison of the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.Peer reviewe

Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three genomic nomenclature systems to all sequence data from the World Health Organization European Region available until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation, compare the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Supplementary Material for: Early Evolution of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus ON1 Strains: Analysis of the Diversity in the C-Terminal Hypervariable Region of Glycoprotein Gene within the First 3.5 Years since Their Detection

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Characterization of the phylogeny and diversity of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) genotype ON1 that occurred during its early evolution (within the first 3.5 years since the detection of the first ON1 strains). ON1 strains have a 72-nucleotide-long in-frame duplication within the second hypervariable domain of the glycoprotein gene (HVR2). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> All available HVR2 sequences of strains belonging to the ON1 genotype published prior to June 20, 2014 were collected. Multiple sequence alignments, phylogeny, phylogeography, sequence clustering and putative protein analyses were performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The worldwide spread and diversification of ON1 strains are presented. Only in a minority of ON1 strains do the two replicas remain identical, and various ON1 strains possess common differences between the first and the second copy (segments A and B). Mutations of the progenitor sequence were more frequent in segment B, a higher overall diversity on the protein level and more putative glycosylation sites exist in segment B, and, unlike in segment A, positive selection acts on that protein region. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The fast spread of the novel HRSV genotype ON1 has been accompanied by its rapid concurrent diversification. Differences in variability of the two replicas within HVR2 were detected, with C-terminal replica being more variable

Paediatric pneumococcal disease in Central Europe

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes considerable global paediatric morbidity and mortality, despite the availability of safe and effective pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). To justify the introduction of PCVs, accurate information on the burden of disease is required. Here, we present an appraisal of the pneumococcal epidemiological situation in 11 Central European countries. The data are based on study findings presented at the 12th Central European Vaccine Advisory Group (CEVAG) meeting, held on 21-22 May 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a literature review of the PubMed database using the search terms 'pneumococcal' or 'Streptococcus pneumoniae', in combination with 'otitis media', 'pneumonia', 'meningitis' or 'bacteraemia/sepsis', and '[Central European country name]'. The incidence of pneumococcal disease appears to be lower in Central Europe than previously reported for Europe as a whole, with the highest risk in infants aged 0-2 years. The fatality rates in the under fives from invasive infections are up to 40%. A paucity of comprehensive country-specific data on pneumococcal disease burden arises from the lack of homogenous surveillance programmes. Standardised, active surveillance systems are required for the accurate evaluation of the pneumococcal disease burden in the region. Only then can the need for vaccination be addressed

Close the gap for routine mumps vaccination in Japan

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease. Because the mumps vaccine can cause aseptic meningitis in rare cases, this vaccine is not routine in Japan. This has led to low vaccine coverage and severe disease burden in Japan. The present review summarizes mumps epidemiology and vaccination and discusses effective future strategies to mitigate the current disease burden of mumps in Japan. Although a recent study reported that mumps vaccine coverage rates are improving in Japan, current coverage rates are far below the optimal rate to suppress the ongoing epidemic, which has caused an average annual financial loss of 85 billion JPY between 2000 and 2016. Recent reports have demonstrated a much lower incidence of vaccine-induced aseptic meningitis in newly developed vaccines, especially when administered at 1 year of age. Cost-effectiveness studies suggest that routinization of the currently distributed domestic vaccine would be highly cost-effective. In addition, questionnaire surveillance data suggest that the majority of the Japanese population accepts the nominal risk of the vaccine when the proper information is provided. Finally, there are some successful programs in Japan that have attained high vaccine coverage rates with financial support from local governments. Taken together, these data suggest that the mumps vaccine should be immediately included in routine vaccines in Japan