Syphilis epidemiology in 1994–2013, molecular epidemiological strain typing and determination of macrolide resistance in Treponema pallidum in 2013–2014 in Tuva Republic,Russia

The incidence of syphilis in the Tuva Republic (geographical centre of Asia), Russia has been exceedingly high historically. No detailed examinations and no molecular investigations of Treponema pallidum strains transmitted in the Tuva Republic, or in general, in Russia, were published internationally. We examined the syphilis epidemiology in 1994–2013, and the molecular epidemiology and macrolide resistance in T. pallidum strains in 2013–2014 in the Tuva Republic. Among 95 mainly primary or secondary syphilis patients, the arp, tpr, tp0548 and 23S rRNA genes in 85 polA gene‐positive genital ulcer specimens were characterized. The syphilis incidence in Tuva Republic peaked in 1998 (1562), however declined to 177 in 2013. Among the 70 (82%) completely genotyped specimens, six molecular strain types were found. Strain type 14d/f accounted for 91%, but also 14c/f, 14d/g, 14b/f, 14i/f, 9d/f, and 4d/f were identified. Two (2.4%) specimens contained the 23S rRNA A2058G macrolide resistance mutation. This is the first internationally published typing study regarding T. pallidum in Russia, performed in the Tuva Republic with the highest syphilis incidence in Russia. The two molecular strain types 4d/f and 9d/f have previously been described only in Eastern and Northern China and for the first time, macrolide‐resistant syphilis was described in Russia.     

Air pollution and children's respiratory health – gaps in the global evidence

There is now convincing evidence that air pollution, especially the particulate matter (PM) fraction, adversely affects children's health. In general, the health effects of traffic‐derived PM are well described in children living in high‐income countries. Conversely, studies into the health effects of PM from biomass and solid fuels are limited to children in lower‐income countries. As PM from different combustion sources have components in common (e.g. elemental black carbon) – are we able to extrapolate from the research performed in different countries under different exposure conditions? Using lung function growth and vulnerability to infection as examples of health effects of global significance to children, this review addresses the question whether high‐income‐country research into air pollution can inform effects of pollution in low‐income countries and vice versa. Cite this as: J. Grigg, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1072–1075.     

Molecular epidemiology of noroviruses in children in South Greece, 2013‐2015

Noroviruses constitute the leading cause of acute, nonbacterial gastroenteritis that affects both children and adults in healthcare and community settings. The current study attempted to provide insight on the molecular epidemiology of noroviruses in children in South Greece. Genotypic characterization of 69 norovirus strains detected in stool samples from children with gastroenteritis during a period of 30 months (January 2013 to June 2015) was performed on the basis of ORF2 (VP1 capsid) gene sequences. The results revealed the circulation of a diverse variety of norovirus genotypes. GII.4 was the predominant genotype (74%), followed by GII.2 (8.7%), GII.3 (5.8%), GII.6 (2.9%), GI.2 (2.9%), and four strains identified as GII.1, GII.7, GII.8, and GII.13, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the strains were closely associated with norovirus strains that circulated globally either in outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis or in the environment during the last 4 years. Οf the GII.4 strains, 80.4% were detected between January 2013 and February 2014, indicating a possible ongoing epidemic. The incidence of other genotypes remained constant throughout the study period. Genotypic and phylogenetic analysis showed the predominance of the “Sydney 2012” variant among the GII.4 strains, whereas one GII.4 strain was identified as a “New Orleans 2009” variant. Five GII.4 strains showed significant nucleotide and amino acid sequence divergence from either the “Sydney 2012” or the “New Orleans 2009” variant, and these divergent strains might represent an emerging GII.4 variant.     

Acute viral respiratory infections among children in MERS‐endemic Riyadh,Saudi Arabia, 2012–2013

The emergence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia has intensified focus on Acute Respiratory Infections [ARIs]. This study sought to identify respiratory viruses (RVs) associated with ARIs in children presenting at a tertiary hospital. Children (aged ≤13) presenting with ARI between January 2012 and December 2013 tested for 15 RVs using the Seeplex^R RV15 kit were retrospectively included. Epidemiological data was retrieved from patient records. Of the 2235 children tested, 61.5% were ≤1 year with a male: female ratio of 3:2. Viruses were detected in 1364 (61.02%) children, 233 (10.4%) having dual infections: these viruses include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (24%), human rhinovirus (hRV) (19.7%), adenovirus (5.7%), influenza virus (5.3%), and parainfluenzavirus‐3 (4.6%). Children, aged 9–11 months, were most infected (60.9%). Lower respiratory tract infections (55.4%) were significantly more than upper respiratory tract infection (45.3%) (P < 0.001). Seasonal variation of RV was directly and inversely proportional to relative humidity and temperature, respectively, for non MERS coronaviruses (NL63, 229E, and OC43). The study confirms community‐acquired RV associated with ARI in children and suggests modulating roles for abiotic factors in RV epidemiology. However, community‐based studies are needed to elucidate how these factors locally influence RV epidemiology. J. Med. Virol. 89:195–201, 2017 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

     

Dampness and mold in the indoor environment: implications for asthma

This article presents epidemiologic findings pertinent to asthma and asthma-like symptoms in relation to exposure to dampness/mold in homes, schools, and workplaces. With regard to specific agents found in damp indoor environments that may play a role in asthma, it concentrates on mold (used synonymously with fungi) and includes some findings on bacteria. The literature on asthma in relation to dust mite or cockroach allergens is not addressed.     

Molecular epidemiology of circulating measles virus in Ireland 2002–2007

The molecular characterization of measles virus (MeV) is a valuable epidemiological tool to monitor virus transmission and to discriminate between imported and endemic infection. There has been significant immigration into Ireland in recent years and many individuals originate from regions of high measles incidence. Ireland has had a number of outbreaks of MeV which appear attributable to sub‐optimal vaccine uptake and possibly imported strains as new genotypes have been identified in recent years. To ascertain any significant changes in circulating measles genotypes we investigated 65 confirmed measles cases between the years 2002 and 2007. The laboratory diagnosis of measles was confirmed by detection of measles‐specific IgM in oral fluid in conjunction with a real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the MeV hemagglutinin gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 3′ hypervariable region of the nucleoprotein gene was performed and three genotypes, all within measles clade D, were found to be circulating during this time period. In 2002 and 2003, genotype D8 (n = 2) was observed whereas genotype D7 was dominant in 2003 (n = 31). A distinct change in the circulating MeV genotype and increased genetic diversity was observed between 2004 and 2007. All cases were within genotype D4 (n = 32) but were phylogenetically distinct from each other. These data provide important epidemiologic baseline information on MeV in Ireland and facilitates detailed examination of measles transmission. J. Med. Virol. 81:125–129, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Residential exposure to mould and dampness is associated with adverse respiratory health

Background Indoor exposure to mould and dampness is frequently associated with asthma symptoms with and without lung function changes. However, the mechanisms contributing to this threat to respiratory health are only partly understood. Objective To investigate the contribution of recent exposure to mould and dampness in the living room or bedroom to respiratory health in a general practice‐based cohort of 526 asthmatic children. Methods Parents were questioned about home characteristics, including moulds and dampness. The level of asthma control was evaluated in their participating children by means of asthma symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability, severity of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and medication usage. Results Children exposed to indoor moulds and dampness more often had severe AHR compared with non‐exposed (42% vs. 16%; P0.001). They also showed an increased PEF variability (11.3% vs. 8.4%; P=0.03) and, however, not significant, more frequent asthma symptoms. The use of controller medication was not significantly different between exposed and non‐exposed children. After adjustment for gender, age, smoking, exposure to parental smoking, parental education, pet ownership, presence of inhalant allergy, use of controller medication, health care center, and season of study assessment, the odds ratio for severe AHR in exposed children was 3.95 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.82–8.57]. Conclusion We found a consistent association between reported moulds and dampness in the living room or the child's bedroom and an increased risk for severe AHR in a general practice‐based cohort of asthmatic children, even after adjustment for gender, presence of inhalant allergy, and use of controller medication.