Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is widespread in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic

Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, the causative agent of tick-borne “neoehrlichiosis” has recently been reported in humans, mammals and ticks in Europe. The aim of this study was to map the distribution of this bacterium in questing ticks in the Czech Republic. A total of 13,325 Ixodes ricinus including 445 larvae, 5270 nymphs and 7610 adults were collected from vegetation by flagging in 140 Czech towns and villages from every region of the Czech Republic. The ticks were pooled into 2665 groups of 5 individuals respecting life stage or sex and tested for the presence of Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis by conventional PCR targeting of the groEL gene. The bacterium was detected in 533/2665 pools and 125/140 areas screened, showing an overall estimated prevalence of 4.4 % in ticks of all life stages. Phylogenetic analysis revealed only small genetic diversity among the strains found. Two pools of questing larvae tested positive, suggesting transovarial transmission. According to this study, Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis is another tick-borne pathogen widespread in I. ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic.     

Building immunization decision-making capacity within the World Health Organization European Region

A National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) is a multi-disciplinary body of national experts that provides evidence-based recommendations to policy-makers, assisting them in making sound immunization policy and programme decisions. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe is working to strengthen the capacity of newly-established NITAGs and has targeted efforts on low- and middle-income countries. The Regional Office, in collaboration with WHO Headquarters and USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developed a new training strategy and held training workshops to improve NITAGs’ functioning and ability to make evidence-based recommendations. Feedback from countries that participated in trainings indicated that the updated training materials and interactive approach with follow-up technical support enabled them to align their NITAG charters and processes with WHO recommendations. To ensure continued progress, global and regional partners such as WHO and CDC should continue providing technical support to recently established NITAGs.     

Prevalence of EBV infection in 1157 diseased cohorts in Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family that is known to ubiquitously infect people worldwide. However, the actual prevalence of EBV infection in diseased patients in Nigeria, remains unknown. This study was thus conducted to ascertain the true prevalence.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of published data was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched for studies reporting the occurrence of EBV infection among patients with established diseases. Studies were included if they assessed EBV infection in diseased patients in Nigeria. Data were extracted and subsequently analysed using R software. Funnel plot and Egger's regression test was used to assess publication bias, while JBI prevalence tool was used to assess study quality.ResultsA total of 13 studies covering 228 cases of EBV infection among 1157 diseased patients were included. Summary estimates were computed using random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of EBV infection was 20.3% (95% CI: 10.8–34.9, I² ?= ?92.26, p ?< ?0.001). When stratified according to the type of disease, higher estimates were obtained for patients suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma (98.7%, 95% CI: 82.2–99.9) and Nasopharyngeal malignancy (85.7%, 95% CI: 70.0–93.9). A prevalence of 13.4% (95% CI: 6.0–27.4) and 12.2% (95% CI: 4.8–27.8) was derived for the most reported patient populations, lymphoma and HIV, respectively.ConclusionThis first meta-analysis on the prevalence of EBV among Nigerian patients suffering from various diseases reveals a prevalence that emphasises the need to routinely monitor EBV infection in all EBV-associated diseases in Nigeria.     

Discitis and sacroiliitis diagnosed 15 years after iatrogenic Mycobacterium xenopi inoculation

A patient was diagnosed with discitis and sacroiliitis due to Mycobacterium xenopi. He had a history of percutaneous nucleotomy performed 15 years earlier (in 1992) at the Clinique du Sport, Paris, France, during an outbreak of nosocomial M. xenopi infection at that institution. In 1997, magnetic resonance imaging performed as part of the routine follow-up program for patients who had surgery at the Clinique du Sport during the outbreak was not interpreted as indicating discitis; this assessment was confirmed by our review of the images. Bone and joint infections due to atypical mycobacteria are rare and can develop very slowly. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of M. xenopi discitis with secondary extension to the sacroiliac joint in an immunocompetent patient.