Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie最新文献

{"title":"Alternative nicotine delivery systems: current evidence.","authors":"J Malinovská, M Lustigová, M Koželuhová, V Puchnerová, J Urbanová, O Hloch, S Pálová, L Rozsíval, J Brož","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alternative nicotine delivery products (ANDS) have gained popularity in recent years. Their potentially lower harm compared to traditional cigarettes and the possibility of using them as part of a harm-reduction strategy in tobacco addiction treatment have been discussed. Current epidemiological trends show a gradual increase in ANDS use by the general population, especially among adolescents and young adults, but also among non-smokers. The most comprehensive evidence regarding health effects is available for e-cigarettes, which suggests that their use does not increase cardiovascular risk, except for hypertension, compared to non-smokers, and reduces the risk of respiratory diseases compared to smoking traditional cigarettes; however, long-term data are lacking for older individuals. In the case of heated tobacco products, there is not enough reliable evidence on health risks compared to current smokers or non-smokers, while concerns remain about the potential toxicity of substances found in these products but absent in cigarette smoke. For nicotine pouches, there is a lack of reliable evidence on long-term effects. Electronic cigarettes are used as a smoking cessation tool in some countries, such as the UK. Existing evidence leans towards the potential use of e-cigarettes as a harm-reduction strategy, although there is currently no global consensus on their role in tobacco addiction treatment. Complete cessation of all tobacco and nicotine products remains the primary recommended approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 3","pages":"175-179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cancer screening in the Czech Republic.","authors":"J Ševčíková, H Kollárová, A Entrová, R Durďáková, L Štěpánek, D Horáková","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study aimed to summarize basic information on cancer screening in the Czech Republic. The study presents a list of screening programs for the early detection of selected cancers performed in the Czech Republic. It draws attention to the importance of systematic examination of asymptomatic patients to detect malignant diseases in their preclinical phase when the chance of complete healing is high. The role of general practitioners is pivotal in the implementation of the programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 3","pages":"166-174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drug injecting and other risk behaviours among potential clients of the mobile drug consumption room in Brno, Czechia.","authors":"V Mravčík, B Janíková, D Thanki, D Nováková","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139687","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139687","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Injecting drug use is associated with a high disease burden, particularly due to the high risk of blood-borne infections such as viral hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Interventions recommended for the prevention and control of infections associated with drug use include so-called drug consumption rooms (DCRs). A DCR is a professional addiction service where people who use drugs (PWUD) can consume the drug they bring under safer and hygienic conditions. In September 2023, the first DCR in the Czech Republic was opened in Brno as a mobile setting (MDCR) in a socially excluded location (SEL) with a high prevalence of heroin and other opioids injecting, especially in the local Roma community. Its launch involved mixed methods research aimed at needs analysis and service set-up. This paper presents an analysis of quantitative data focusing on risk behaviours and other characteristics of potential clients of the programme.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Material and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Two cross-sectional questionnaire surveys (n=131 and n=135) were conducted just before and after the launch of the programme among PWUD recruited through convenience sampling by collaborating services and peer workers in Brno. The analysis addressed the characteristics of clients in the SEL where the MDCR operates. Pairwise associations between the SEL affiliation and other variables were analysed using the chi-square test and t-test. For statistically significant predictors from the pairwise analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed, with adjustment for gender and age. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (AOR).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;In both surveys, two thirds were male, mean age around 37 years (36.5 years in survey 1 and 37.5 years in survey 2). Most of them were people who injected drugs with a relatively high rate of risk behaviours. In survey 2, more people self-reported Roma ethnicity (50.7% versus 20.3%) and opioids as their primary drug (39.7% versus 27.5%). Respondents from survey 1 living in the SEL were more likely to have used heroin (AOR=8.2) and opioids (4.7) in the past year, to have injected drugs in an indoor public space in the past 30 days (3.6), to have witnessed an overdose (2.5), and to have been taken by emergency services (2.6) in the past 12 months. SEL respondents were more likely to have been clients of addiction services in the past year (2.8), especially opioid agonist treatment (4.6), but on the other hand, showed significantly more barriers to treatment. The survey after the MDCR launch confirmed higher rates of opioid use (2.9) and lower rates of methamphetamine use (0.3) and showed a higher prevalence of ever-diagnosed HCV (3.0) among SEL respondents. Prior to the opening of the MDCR, SEL respondents were in general less aware of the DCR (0.4) but reported greater willingness to use it after its launch (2.7).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;The launch of t","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 1","pages":"53-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Results of microbiological surveillance in patients with high-voltage eletrical injuries: A 10-year single center experience.","authors":"V Váňa, B Lipový, M Cvanová, M Hanslianová, J Holoubek","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140415","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140415","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background and aim: &lt;/strong&gt;High voltage electrotrauma is one of the most serious injuries we can encounter in modern medicine, often associated with multiple disabilities and high susceptibility to infectious complications. These patients are admitted to specialized burn centers and require extensive multidisciplinary collaboration. In this study, we aim to uncover the prevalence, types and characteristics of microbial infections that develop in the aftermath of high voltage electrotrauma and to identify risk factors that may contribute to patients' susceptibility to infections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Material and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;For the purposes of this publication, data of all 37 patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the University Hospital in Brno with a diagnosis of high-voltage electrical injury between 2006-2016 were processed. Imprints and swaps from exfoliated areas were repeatedly taken for microbial analysis, together with tracheobronchial aspirate fluid, sputum, or bronchoalveolar lavage, urine and peripheral blood. The obtained data were analysed retrospectively.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Among the 37 patients, the median age was 31.9, with an average hospital stay of 44.3 days and a mortality rate of 8.1%. A total of 28 individuals were dependent on artificial lung ventilation. The incidence of infectious complications varies during the hospitalization period according to the location of sampling cultivation and time spent at the hospital. 97.3% of patients developed infection in at least one body compartment. In 88.8% of cases, it was multipathogenic and in 41.6% a septic condition developed. In our study cohort, G+ dominated over Gstrains. Most common representatives from G+ spectrum were Coagulase negative Staphylococci (97%), Staphylococcus aureus (57%), Enterococcus fecalis et faecium (51%). In Gspectrum, the order was as followed: Klebsiella pneumoniae (46%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (41%), Escherichia coli (35%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (18.9%). The most common infection observed was burn wound infection (BWI), followed by bloodstream infections (BSI), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and urinary tract infections (UTI), primarily caused by G+ pathogens. Notably, an increased hospital stay duration was associated with a rising prevalence of Gpathogens, particularly K. pneumoniae P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii which exhibited a high degree of antimicrobial resistance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study provides a detailed insight into the occurrence and consequences of high-voltage electrical injuries in Moravia over a decade. Factors significantly impacting survival and severity of outcomes included total burn surface area, full-thickness burns, inhalation injury, and the need for tracheostomy. However, the study is limited by its relatively small sample size, long data collection period with potential changes in clinical practice, an","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 2","pages":"97-106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women of the Czech Republic armed forces.","authors":"L Karásek, P Svobodová, I Kiss, D Nejedlá, J Smetana","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141312","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141312","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious health problem with global impact, more prominently in women. Their prevalence is increasing, and the preventive measure options are not being sufficiently innovated. The military environment is historically characterized by a higher incidence of STIs. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in order to analyze prevalence of common STIs in women of the Czech Republic armed forces.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) detection was performed in 231 women between August 2020 and December 2023. Participants were divided into three groups according to their military status. Group A - recruits (n = 84), Group B - active soldiers (n = 43) and Group C - control civilian group (n = 104). Cervical smears were used to diagnose pathogens and data evaluating medical history and the occurrence of risk factors in women were obtained using a detailed questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ch. trachomatis prevalence was 6.0% (5/84) in group A, 2.3% (1/43) in group B and 2.9% (3/104) in group C. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.601). No case of N. gonorrhoeae was recorded across the study (0/231). Regarding known STI factors, the groups differed significantly in age. The median age in group A was 26 years while it was 29 years in groups B and C similarly (p &lt; 0.001). There was also significant in-between-groups difference in age of coitarche 16.0 vs. 16.0 vs. 17.0 years (p = 0,015). Women from group A reported more frequent absence from regular pap-smear attendance compared to other groups (12.0% vs. 16.3% vs. 3.9%) (p = 0.032).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study did not show any significant difference in prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in females of the Czech Republic Armed Forces compared to civilian women. Higher prevalence of selected STIs' risk factors were reported in recruits and active soldiers compared to civilian women. Although not conclusively, shown findings should be considered a reason to foster the research on STIs in the military environment and to enhance preventive measures among women in the armed forces to limit impact of known STIs' risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 3","pages":"135-140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system in childhood - diagnosis (MRI CNS), clinical course, and treatment.","authors":"E Štěpánová, I Doležalová, J Sagan, D Krahulík, P Hanzlíková","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139688","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of autoimmune-related diseases of the central nervous system with the predominant involvement of the cerebral cortex. It is a heterogeneous group of conditions manifested by newly emerging neurological and psychiatric deficits in previously healthy children. These disorders differ in severity, clinical course, and aetiology. Unlike the adult population, non-paraneoplastic encephalitis is prevalent in children. Antineuronal antibodies are the most critical prognostic and therapeutic indicators. Antibodies are directed either against surface antigens or intracellular antigens. Autoimmune diseases respond favourably to immunotherapy. Therefore, rapid diagnosis and timely treatment are essential and can lead to faster recovery and lower rates of relapses and cognitive deficits. This article focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic experience with the most common types of autoimmune encephalitis and antibody-mediated demyelinating syndromes in childhood at the University Hospital Ostrava.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 1","pages":"65-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corynebacterium durum and possibilities of its identification.","authors":"P Vítková, O Bechyňková, J Scharfen, V Buchta","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140417","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140417","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Corynebaterium (C.) durum is a part of the resident human oral microbiota. Its role in the aetiology of infectious diseases is ambiguous. With the increasing number of immunocompromised patients, it must be considered a potential opportunistic pathogen. It is isolated from the sputum, bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid, as well as blood, especially from immunocompromised patients with pneumonia. In that case, the critical steps involve a correct identification of Corynebacterium to the species level and right interpretation of the findings. The previously widely used commercial test for the identification of Corynebacteria (API Coryne, BioMerieux) is not suitable for all species, including C. durum, as its biotype number is not included in the database. But the obtained result can be compared with the available literature data. Chemotaxonomic and proteomic analysis (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization - time of flight, MALDI-TOF MS) or 16S rRNA sequencing allow for accurate differentiation from the other Corynebacteria species. Nevertheless, these methods are not routinely used in clinical laboratories. A polyphasic approach to the taxonomy based on the data from combined laboratory tests is crucial.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 2","pages":"113-117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How the epidemiology of rotavirus infections is changing with vaccination in the Czech Republic.","authors":"M Špačková, M Liptáková, J Košťálová, K Fabiánová, J Kynčl, R Chlíbek","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140414","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To describe the epidemiological situation of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) and the impact of vaccination on hospitalization for RVGE in the Czech Republic in 2018-2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive analysis was performed of anonymized RVGE cases reported under code A08.0 to the Infectious Diseases Reporting System (ISIN) in the Czech Republic in 2018-2023. The Chi-square test was used to analyse binary variables. The effect of vaccination on hospitalization was assessed using logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. Excel, STATA, and Datawrapper GmbH programs were used. The incidence of the disease was calculated per 100,000 population.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the monitored period, a total of 26,303 RVGE cases were reported in the Czech Republic (range 1,811-7,483 per year), which corresponds to an average annual incidence of 41.0 (range 16.9-69.6) per 100,000 population. Fifty-one percent of cases occurred in women. The average annual sex-specific incidence rates were comparable. Patients were aged 0-101 years (median 3 years, interquartile range [IQR] 1-8 years). The maximum numbers of cases were recorded in the months of March to June. In the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, the overall numbers of cases were lower, and therefore the seasonality was less expressed. The average annual specific incidence was highest in the Vysočina, South Bohemian and Olomouc Regions. A total of 18,693 (71.1%) cases of RVGE were hospitalized, most of them in the age groups 1-4 years (34.7%) and 5-9 years (11.9%). Vaccination data were available for 21,142 individuals with RVGE, of whom 304 (1.4%) were reported as vaccinated. The risk of hospitalization for RVGE was statistically significantly lower (p &lt; 0.001) in vaccinated than in unvaccinated individuals. A total of 27 RVGE outbreaks were reported, with the largest one involving 152 cases. Two hundred and twenty-six cases were classified as imported.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>After the introduction of RVGE vaccination in the Czech Republic, a reduction in RVGE cases, hospitalizations, and deaths was expected. However, a significant impact of vaccination on the RVGE burden has not yet been observed in the country. The main reason continues to be low RVGE vaccine coverage. We therefore recommend including this voluntary vaccination in the schedule covered by health insurance and also call for early communication of the appropriateness of such vaccination between the paediatric/adolescent medicine practitioners and children's parents.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 2","pages":"87-96"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 in the practice of maternity hospitals of various degrees in the Czech Republic.","authors":"Hynek Heřman, A Tefr Faridová, K Trojanová, B Jalůvková, A Šinská, Radovan Pilka, O Šimetka, B Čečetková, J Janák, P Steyerová","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139682","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139682","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Pregnancy is not considered a condition that increases the body's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 (severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-related coronavirus-2) infection, but in the case of infection in pregnancy, there is an increased risk of a more severe course of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-19). However, the course of infection in pregnancy is mild or asymptomatic in most cases. The main objective of the study in pregnant women with COVID-19 was to prove that the delivery method is not changed, and serious complications do not occur more frequently due to this disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a retrospective, observational, multicentric study, the pregnant women positively tested to COVID-19 were admitted and subsequently gave birth in the period from 15 March 2020 to 15 March 2021. Data from the delivery departments of five centers in the Czech Republic during COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed in relation to the delivery method and time, COVID-19 symptoms and potential complications with respect to demographics and comorbidities of pregnant women. COVID-19 positivity was confirmed with PCR (polymerase-chain reaction). The Excel program was used during statistical analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the observed study period, 236 pregnant women with COVID-19 were detected at study centers. Most of the patients were asymptomatic (59.7%). In symptomatic patients, most common symptoms were cough (52.6 %), cold (43.2%) and fever (37.9%), and COVID-19 pneumonia was diagnosed in 8 patients. The delivery was performed vaginally in 52.5% patients, the pregnancy was terminated by C-section (cesarean section) in 44.5%, per VEX (vacuum extractor) in 2.1% and per forcipem in 0.8% cases. The average week of pregnancy at the time of delivery was 38 (29-41) and preterm delivery was performed in 19.1% patients. The study results in pregnant women with COVID-19 demonstrated that the method of delivery was not changed and major delivery and neonatological complications did not develop in most cases. However, two presented serious courses of COVID-19 in pregnant women led to premature terminations of pregnancies. The only associated risk factor was the patient's obesity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although COVID-19 is a disease that is mostly asymptomatic in pregnant women or with only mild flu-like symptoms, it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared to pregnant women without COVID-19. The challenge for the future is the possibility of segregating patients into lowand high-risk groups based on proven risk factors, and consistent vaccination of pregnant women or women planning conception. In critical cases, the correct timing of premature termination of pregnancy and early indication of the beginning of fetal lung maturation is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 1","pages":"3-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole genome sequencing (WGS) characterisation of Neisseria meningitidis from invasive meningococcal disease in the Czech Republic in 2018-2024 - analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Z Okonji, M Honskus, M Musílek, P Křížová","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139684","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139684","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiological situation of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and molecular characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis isolates causing IMD in the Czech Republic.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The study was based on IMD surveillance data for 2018-2024 (as of 27 May 2024), and all available N. meningitidis isolates from IMD of these years were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the study period was divided into three parts: the pre-COVID period (2018-2019), the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020-2022), and the post-COVID period (2023-2024).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>As a result of the implementation of the COVID-19 control measures, similar to other countries, there has been a decline in the incidence of air-borne infections including IMD in the Czech Republic. However, unlike many other countries, there has not been a resurgence of IMD in the Czech Republic following the release of these epidemiological measures. WGS characterisation of IMD isolates showed a gradual change in the population of meningococci causing IMD in the Czech Republic during the COVID-19 and post-COVID periods. For N. meningitidis isolates of serogroups C, W, and Y, a gradual and significant decline in overall heterogeneity can be observed - from ten different clonal complexes detected in the pre-COVID period to only three in the post-COVID years (cc11, cc23, and cc103). At the same time, a significant reduction was observed in N. meningitidis C isolates; cc11. In contrast, an increase in overall heterogeneity can be observed for N. meningitidis B isolates during the COVID-19 pandemic period, followed by its decline again to overall lowest values in the post-COVID period.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The fact that MenB vaccine and conjugate vaccine A, C, W, Y started to be covered by health insurance for young children (in May 2020) and adolescents (in January 2022) also appears to play a role in the persistent decline of IMD in the Czech Republic. In order to maintain the low incidence of IMD in the Czech Republic, it is desirable to continue vaccination with MenB vaccine and conjugated vaccine A, C, W, Y in accordance with the recommendations of the Czech Society of Vaccinology of the Czech Medical Association of Jan Evangelista Purkyně.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 1","pages":"20-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}