Cross-border outbreak of listeriosis caused by cold-smoked salmon, revealed by integrated surveillance and whole genome sequencing (WGS), Denmark and France, 2015 to 2017

International audienceIn August 2017, an outbreak of six listeriosis cases in Denmark was traced to cold-smoked salmon, using epidemiological investigations and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses. Exchange of genome sequences allowed identification in France of a food isolate from a salmon-derived product and a human isolate from 2016 within the same cgMLST cluster as the Danish isolates (L2-SL8-ST8-CT771). The salmon product came from a third European Union country. WGS can rapidly link human cases and food isolates across Europe

Detection of Extensive Cross-Neutralization between Pandemic and Seasonal A/H1N1 Influenza Viruses Using a Pseudotype Neutralization Assay

BACKGROUND: Cross-immunity between seasonal and pandemic A/H1N1 influenza viruses remains uncertain. In particular, the extent that previous infection or vaccination by seasonal A/H1N1 viruses can elicit protective immunity against pandemic A/H1N1 is unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Neutralizing titers against seasonal A/H1N1 (A/Brisbane/59/2007) and against pandemic A/H1N1 (A/California/04/2009) were measured using an HIV-1-based pseudovirus neutralization assay. Using this highly sensitive assay, we found that a large fraction of subjects who had never been exposed to pandemic A/H1N1 express high levels of pandemic A/H1N1 neutralizing titers. A significant correlation was seen between neutralization of pandemic A/H1N1 and neutralization of a standard seasonal A/H1N1 strain. Significantly higher pandemic A/H1N1 neutralizing titers were measured in subjects who had received vaccination against seasonal influenza in 2008-2009. Higher pandemic neutralizing titers were also measured in subjects over 60 years of age. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings reveal that the extent of protective cross-immunity between seasonal and pandemic A/H1N1 influenza viruses may be more important than previously estimated. This cross-immunity could provide a possible explanation of the relatively mild profile of the recent influenza pandemic

Euro Surveill

In September 2023, a severe outbreak of type B botulism with fifteen cases was linked to consumption of canned sardines at a restaurant in Bordeaux, France, during the Rugby World Cup. The cases were from seven countries. One death was recorded. Outbreak investigation using credit card data, rapid communication between health authorities of the affected countries and broad media communication allowed identification of cases and exposed persons and prevented further severe outcomes

Morts inexpliqués dans l'ouest du Cambodge (investigation d'une intoxication collective par une plante)

TOURS-BU Médecine (372612103) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

National perinatal survey demonstrates a decreasing seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in France, 1995 to 2016: impact for screening policy

International audienceBackground: Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can result in congenital anomalies or fetal death. Universal antenatal screening is recommended in France, a strategy in place since the 1970s.Aim: We determined the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women participating in the 2016 national perinatal survey (ENP), compared results with previous ENPs, and investigated factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection.Methods: Using the 2016 ENP data, which contain sociodemographic and clinical information from all women giving birth during a one week period, we calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) by sociodemographic factors. Using available data from prior ENPs (1995, 2003 and 2010), we calculated age-standardised seroprevalences and aPRs for French women.Results: In 2016, seroprevalence was 31.3% overall. Among French women, associations with increasing age (aPR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.39–1.70), residence in Paris (aPR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.08–1.31) or south-western regions (aPR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.08–1.31), and higher professional status (aPR: 1.12; 95%CI 1.04–1.21) were observed. An association with increasing age was also evident among women from North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Age-standardised seroprevalence decreased from 55.0% in 1995 to 33.7% in 2016. Among French women, significant associations with age, Paris and south-west regions persisted across all ENPs.Conclusion: Higher prevalences in older women may reflect a higher past risk of exposure while persistent geographical differences may reflect dietary or environmental differences. Toxoplasma seroprevalence among pregnant women continues to fall and will impact screening effectiveness. This warrants a comprehensive review to determine the appropriate future of prevention in France

Dépistage des maladies infectieuses en cours de grossesse, résultats de l’enquête Elfe en maternités, France métropolitaine, 2011

Introduction : en France, plusieurs infections susceptibles d'avoir un retentissement materno-foetal font l'objet d'un dépistage prénatal. L'objectif de cet article était d'étudier la réalisation des dépistages prénataux et leurs déterminants pour les maladies infectieuses suivantes : toxoplasmose, syphilis, hépatite B (dépistages obligatoires), infections à VIH (dépistage obligatoirement proposé) et à cytomégalovirus (CMV, dépistage non recommandé). Méthodes : les données de l'Étude longitudinale française depuis l'enfance (Elfe), recueillies en maternités en 2011, ont été utilisées. Elles portaient sur 18 022 mères âgées d'au moins 18 ans ayant accouché dans 320 maternités publiques et privées de France métropolitaine tirées au sort. Les données concernant les dépistages infectieux ont été renseignées à partir du dossier médical (toxoplasmose, syphilis, hépatite B et CMV) ou lors d'un entretien avec la mère (VIH). Les facteurs associés à la réalisation de ces dépistages ont été étudiés par analyses uni- et multivariées. Résultats : l'absence de dépistage concernait entre 2,8% et 2,9% des femmes pour la toxoplasmose (en raison d'une immunité déjà connue pour 97,5% d'entre elles), entre 2,6% et 2,8% pour la syphilis et entre 2,2% et 2,3% pour l'hépatite B selon que l'on exclut ou non les valeurs manquantes. Concernant le VIH, 10,2% à 11,0% des femmes ont déclaré ne pas avoir été dépistées. Les principaux facteurs associés à l'absence de dépistage de ces infections étaient le fait d'habiter hors Île-de-France et d'avoir déjà au moins un enfant. Le dépistage du CMV a été réalisé pour 24,6% des femmes pour lesquelles l'information était disponible. Conclusion : bien que très fréquemment réalisés, les dépistages prénataux obligatoires de l'hépatite B et de la syphilis ne le sont pas encore suffisamment. Les résultats suggèrent aussi un défaut d'information des femmes concernant le dépistage prénatal du VIH. Ils montrent enfin une pratique assez répandue du dépistage du CMV, qui n'est pourtant pas recommandé

Treatment and outcomes among patients with Cryptococcus gattii infections in the United States Pacific Northwest.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus gattii is a fungal pathogen causing an emerging outbreak in the United States Pacific Northwest (PNW). Treatment guidelines for cryptococcosis are primarily based on data from C. neoformans infections; applicability to PNW C. gattii infection is unknown. We evaluated the relationship between initial antifungal treatment and outcomes for PNW C. gattii patients. METHODS: Cases were defined as culture-confirmed invasive C. gattii infections among residents of Oregon and Washington States during 2004-2011. Clinical data were abstracted from medical records through one year of follow-up. Recommended initial treatment for central nervous system (CNS), bloodstream, and severe pulmonary infections is amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine; for non-severe pulmonary infections, recommended initial treatment is fluconazole. Alternative initial treatment was defined as any other initial antifungal treatment. RESULTS: Seventy patients survived to diagnosis; 50 (71%) received the recommended initial treatment and 20 (29%) received an alternative. Fewer patients with pulmonary infections [21 (64%)] than CNS infections [25 (83%)] received the recommended initial treatment (p = 0.07). Among patients with pulmonary infections, those with severe infections received the recommended initial treatment less often than those with non-severe infections (11% vs. 83%, p<0.0001). Eight patients with severe pulmonary infections received alternative initial treatments; three died. Four patients with non-severe pulmonary infections received alternative initial treatments; two died. There was a trend towards increased three-month mortality among patients receiving alternative vs. recommended initial treatment (30% vs. 14%, p = 0.12), driven primarily by increased mortality among patients with pulmonary disease receiving alternative vs. recommended initial treatment (42% vs. 10%, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: C. gattii patients with pulmonary infections--especially severe infections--may be less likely to receive recommended treatment than those with CNS infections; alternative treatment may be associated with increased mortality. Reasons for receipt of alternative treatment among C. gattii patients in this area should be investigated, and clinician awareness of recommended treatment reinforced

Horizontal antimicrobial resistance transfer drives epidemics of multiple Shigella species

International audienceHorizontal gene transfer has played a role in developing the global public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, the dynamics of AMR transfer through bacterial populations and its direct impact on human disease is poorly elucidated. Here, we study parallel epidemic emergences of multiple Shigella species, a priority AMR organism, in men who have sex with men to gain insight into AMR emergence and spread. Using genomic epidemiology, we show that repeated horizontal transfer of a single AMR plasmid among Shigella enhanced existing and facilitated new epidemics. These epidemic patterns contrasted with slighter, slower increases in disease caused by organisms with vertically inherited (chromosomally encoded) AMR. This demonstrates that horizontal transfer of AMR directly affects epidemiological outcomes of globally important AMR pathogens and highlights the need for integration of genomic analyses into all areas of AMR research, surveillance and management

Initial therapy received by <i>Cryptococcus gattii</i> patients.

<p>Initial therapy received by <i>Cryptococcus gattii</i> patients.</p