1
|
Sun Y, Yuan Y, Mao H, Su L, Ge Q, Gao J, Xu C, Gong L. Molecular Epidemiology of Human Norovirus Variants from Outbreaks in Zhejiang Province, China, during 2021. Adv Virol 2024; 2024:7972494. [PMID: 38846347 PMCID: PMC11156503 DOI: 10.1155/2024/7972494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Noroviruses are the most frequent cause of epidemic acute viral gastroenteritis in China. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the molecular epidemiological characteristics of norovirus outbreaks and the molecular genetic features of norovirus in Zhejiang Province during 2021. Methods First, the local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the outbreak area conducted on-site epidemiologic investigations and collected samples from ill patients for initial testing. The general epidemiologic characteristics of the demographic information are presented through descriptive analysis. Positive samples were sent to the Microbiology Laboratory of Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention for further verification. The presence of norovirus genogroups I (GI) and II (GII), along with sapovirus, was detected. Subsequently, the specimens positive for norovirus were sequenced for genotyping purposes. Furthermore, the whole genomes of positive samples were sequenced, enabling the characterization of both nucleotide and amino acid differences within the virus. Finally, phylogenetic trees were constructed to further analyze and understand the genetic relationships among the detected viruses. Result 227 norovirus outbreaks were reported in Zhejiang Province, China, during 2021. Schools were the main setting while January was the peak month for outbreaks. A total of 17 diverse genotypes of norovirus were identified in 2021, and GII.P16-GII.2 was the most frequent genotype (30.19%). Seven genomes (five GI.P4-GI.5 and two GII.P16-GII.2) were obtained. Although GI.P4-GI.5 is considered to be a rare genotype of norovirus, the prevalence might have been underestimated. Capsid microvariation of GII.2 displayed histo-blood group antigen binding patterns compared to the GII.2 prototype, although VP1 sequences were considered to have a minimal impact on antigenicity. Conclusion This study revealed the diversity of norovirus strains' genotypes circulating in Zhejiang Province in 2021. Continued molecular surveillance of noroviruses should be strengthened in our further efforts to the development of vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongjuan Yuan
- Jia Shan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiyan Mao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingxuan Su
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiong Ge
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Changping Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liming Gong
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yuan Y, Chen Y, Huang J, Bao X, Shen W, Sun Y, Mao H. Epidemiological and etiological investigations of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Jiashan, northeastern Zhejiang Province, China, during 2016 to 2022. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1377861. [PMID: 38751577 PMCID: PMC11094292 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1377861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease in children. Enterovirus A71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) have been identified as the predominant pathogens for several decades. In recent years, coxsackievirus A6 (CA6) and coxsackievirus A10 (CA10) have played increasingly important roles in a series of HFMD outbreaks. We performed a retrospective analysis of the epidemiology of HFMD and the spectrum of different viral serotypes, to elucidate the genetic and phylogenetic characteristics of the main serotypes in the Jiashan area during 2016 to 2022. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the time and population distribution of HFMD in Jiashan during 2016 to 2022 based on surveillance data. Molecular diagnostic methods were performed to identify the viral serotypes and etiological characteristics of HFMD. Phylogenetic analyses was based on VP1 region of CA16 and CA6. Results The average annual incidence rate of HFMD fluctuated from 2016 to 2022. Children aged 1-5 years accounted for 81.65% of cases and boys were more frequently affected than girls. Except when HFMD was affected by the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 and 2022, epidemics usually peak in June to July, followed by a small secondary peak from October to December and a decline in February. Urban areas had a high average incidence and rural areas had the lowest. Among 560 sample collected in Jiashan, 472 (84.29%) were positive for enterovirus. The most frequently identified serotypes were CA6 (296, 52.86%), CA16 (102, 18.21%), EV71 (16, 2.86%), CA10 (14, 2.50%) and other enteroviruses (44, 7.86%). There were 71 and 142 VP1 sequences from CA16 and CA6, respectively. Substitution of N218D, A220L and V251I was detected in CA16 and may have been related to viral infectivity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CA16 could be assigned to two genogroups, B1a and B1b, while all the CA6 sequences belonged to the D3a genogroup. Conclusion CA6 and CA16 were the two major serotypes of enteroviruses circulating in the Jiashan area during 2016 to 2022. Continuous and comprehensive surveillance for HFMD is needed to better understand and evaluate the prevalence and evolution of the associated pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjuan Yuan
- Jiashan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Jiashan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Jiashan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoxia Bao
- Jiashan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Jiashan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiyan Mao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Haque W, Talha M, Rahman S, Hasan M, Alam S, Hassan Z, Moni S, Khan SH, Hossain ME, Faruque ASG, Hasan SMT, Khan SH, Ahmed T, Zaman K, Rahman M. Rotavirus trends and distribution of genotypes before and during COVID-19 pandemic era: Bangladesh, 2017-2021. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29681. [PMID: 38773815 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is accountable for an estimated 128 500 deaths among children younger than 5 years worldwide, and the majority occur in low-income countries. Although the clinical trials of rotavirus vaccines in Bangladesh revealed a significant reduction of severe rotavirus disease by around 50%, the vaccines are not yet included in the routine immunization program. The present study was designed to provide data on rotavirus diarrhea with clinical profiles and genotypes before (2017-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020-2021). Fecal samples were collected from 2% of the diarrheal patients at icddr,b Dhaka hospital of all ages between January 2017 and December 2021 and were tested for VP6 rotavirus antigen using ELISA. The clinical manifestations such as fever, duration of diarrhea and hospitalization, number of stools, and dehydration and so on were collected from the surveillance database (n = 3127). Of the positive samples, 10% were randomly selected for genotyping using Sanger sequencing method. A total of 12 705 fecal samples were screened for rotavirus A antigen by enzyme immunoassay. Overall, 3369 (27%) were rotavirus antigen-positive, of whom children <2 years had the highest prevalence (88.6%). The risk of rotavirus A infection was 4.2 times higher in winter than in summer. Overall, G3P[8] was the most prominent genotype (45.3%), followed by G1P[8] (32.1%), G9P[8] (6.8%), and G2P[4] (6.1%). The other unusual combinations, such as G1P[4], G1P[6], G2P[6], G3P[4], G3P[6], and G9P[6], were also present. Genetic analysis on Bangladeshi strains revealed that the selection pressure (dN/dS) was estimated as <1. The number of hospital visits showed a 37% drop during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to the years before the pandemic. Conversely, there was a notable increase in the rate of rotavirus positivity during the pandemic (34%, p < 0.00) compared to the period before COVID-19 (23%). Among the various clinical symptoms, only the occurrence of watery stool significantly increased during the pandemic. The G2P[4] strain showed a sudden rise (19%) in 2020, which then declined in 2021. In the same year, G1P[8] was more prevalent than G3P[8] (40% vs. 38%, respectively). The remaining genotypes were negligible and did not exhibit much fluctuation. This study reveals that the rotavirus burden remained high during the COVID-19 prepandemic and pandemic in Bangladesh. Considering the lack of antigenic variations between the circulating and vaccine-targeted strains, integrating the vaccine into the national immunization program could reduce the prevalence of the disease, the number of hospitalizations, and the severity of cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warda Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammad Talha
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sezanur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mehedi Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shaheen Alam
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zahid Hassan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sayra Moni
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sadia H Khan
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad E Hossain
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abu S G Faruque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - S M Tafsir Hasan
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Soroar H Khan
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Khalequz Zaman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mustafizur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
DeAntonio R, Hess-Holtz M, Abrego L, Capitan-Barrios Z, Donoso LH, De León T, Sáez Llorens X, Moreno B, Weil JG. Norovirus in children under 2 years of age: an epidemiological study in Panama during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1292967. [PMID: 38425667 PMCID: PMC10902054 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1292967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Norovirus infection is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Surveillance activities are important to aid investigation into effective norovirus control strategies, including vaccination. Here, we report ancillary findings related to the incidence, prevalence, and etiology of AGE caused by norovirus in Panama after adjustment of study methodology to comply with national coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mandates. Methods In January 2020, children aged <2 years began enrolling into an epidemiological study in Panama to estimate the burden of norovirus in preparation for evaluating upcoming prevention strategies. This included an observational, longitudinal, community-based AGE surveillance study and a hospital-based AGE surveillance study. For the longitudinal study, healthy children aged 5-18 months were enrolled from January 6 through March 23, 2020, with a follow-up of approximately 6 months. The last participant was contacted on September 23, 2020. For the hospital-based study, starting on January 21, 2020, children aged <2 years who were admitted to the Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel in Panama City due to AGE were evaluated. The last sample was collected on September 29, 2020. Collected stool samples were tested for norovirus as well as astrovirus, sapovirus, and various enteropathogens. Unfortunately, this study was disrupted by the subsequent implementation of disease transmission control procedures for the COVID-19 pandemic, and the study methodology was revised to comply with COVID-19 mandates. Results In the longitudinal surveillance cohort [N = 400 (Chiriquí, n = 239; Panama, n = 161)], a total of 185 AGE episodes were documented (Chiriquí, n = 85; Panama, n = 100) resulting in an overall AGE incidence of 11.6 (95% CI: 9.99-13.4) episodes per 100 child-months. The norovirus-related AGE incidence was 0.3 (95% CI: 0.10-0.73) episodes per 100 child-months (5/185 AGE episodes) and the prevalence of norovirus was 4.6% (13/282 stool samples collected). In the hospital-based surveillance cohort, at least one pathogen was detected in 50% of samples (44/88 stool samples collected) and norovirus prevalence was 6.8% (6/88 stool samples collected). Discussion This report demonstrates how the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the conduct of clinical trials. However, this also created unique research opportunities to investigate the potential impact of pandemic control measures on the etiology of infectious diarrheal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo DeAntonio
- Centro de Vacunación e Investigación CEVAXIN, The Panama Clinic, Panama City, Panama
| | - Morgan Hess-Holtz
- Centro de Vacunación e Investigación CEVAXIN, The Panama Clinic, Panama City, Panama
| | - Leyda Abrego
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Departamento de Investigacion en Virologia y Biotecnologia, Panama City, Panama
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | - Zeuz Capitan-Barrios
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | | | - Tirza De León
- Centro de Vacunación e Investigación CEVAXIN, The Panama Clinic, Panama City, Panama
- Hospital Materno Infantil José Domingo de Obaldia, David, Panama
| | - Xavier Sáez Llorens
- Centro de Vacunación e Investigación CEVAXIN, The Panama Clinic, Panama City, Panama
- Infectious Disease Department, Hospital del Niño Dr José Renán Esquivel, Panama City, Panama
| | - Brechla Moreno
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Departamento de Investigacion en Virologia y Biotecnologia, Panama City, Panama
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lambisia AW, Murunga N, Mutunga M, Cheruiyot R, Maina G, Makori TO, Nokes DJ, Agoti CN. Temporal changes in the positivity rate of common enteric viruses among paediatric admissions in coastal Kenya, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019-2022. Gut Pathog 2024; 16:2. [PMID: 38178245 PMCID: PMC10765698 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-023-00595-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented to curb the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, substantially disrupted the activity of other respiratory viruses. However, there is limited data from low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) to determine whether these NPIs also impacted the transmission of common enteric viruses. Here, we investigated the changes in the positivity rate of five enteric viruses among hospitalised children who presented with diarrhoea to a referral hospital in coastal Kenya, during COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS A total of 870 stool samples from children under 13 years of age admitted to Kilifi County Hospital between January 2019, and December 2022 were screened for rotavirus group A (RVA), norovirus genogroup II (GII), astrovirus, sapovirus, and adenovirus type F40/41 using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The proportions positive across the four years were compared using the chi-squared test statistic. RESULTS One or more of the five virus targets were detected in 282 (32.4%) cases. A reduction in the positivity rate of RVA cases was observed from 2019 (12.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.7-16.2%) to 2020 (1.7%, 95% CI 0.2-6.0%; p < 0.001). However, in the 2022, RVA positivity rate rebounded to 23.5% (95% CI 18.2%-29.4%). For norovirus GII, the positivity rate fluctuated over the four years with its highest positivity rate observed in 2020 (16.2%; 95% C.I, 10.0-24.1%). No astrovirus cases were detected in 2020 and 2021, but the positivity rate in 2022 was similar to that in 2019 (3.1% (95% CI 1.5%-5.7%) vs. 3.3% (95% CI 1.4-6.5%)). A higher case fatality rate was observed in 2021 (9.0%) compared to the 2019 (3.2%), 2020 (6.8%) and 2022 (2.1%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our study finds that in 2020 the transmission of common enteric viruses, especially RVA and astrovirus, in Kilifi Kenya may have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 NPIs. After 2020, local enteric virus transmission patterns appeared to return to pre-pandemic levels coinciding with the removal of most of the government COVID-19 NPIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnold W Lambisia
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya.
| | - Nickson Murunga
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| | - Martin Mutunga
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| | - Robinson Cheruiyot
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| | - Grace Maina
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| | - Timothy O Makori
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| | - D James Nokes
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
- School of Life Sciences and Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Charles N Agoti
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, P.O. Box 195, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ando H, Ahmed W, Okabe S, Kitajima M. Tracking the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on viral gastroenteritis through wastewater-based retrospective analyses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166557. [PMID: 37633393 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic possibly disrupted the circulation and seasonality of gastroenteritis viruses (e.g., Norovirus (NoV), Sapovirus (SaV), group A rotavirus (ARoV), and Aichivirus (AiV)). Despite the growing application of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), there remains a lack of sufficient investigations into the actual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of gastroenteritis viruses. In this study, we measured NoV GI and GII, SaV, ARoV, and AiV RNA concentrations in 296 influent wastewater samples collected from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Sapporo, Japan between October 28, 2018 and January 12, 2023 using the highly sensitive EPISENS™ method. The detection ratios of SaV and ARoV after May 2020 (SaV: 49.8 % (134/269), ARoV: 57.4 % (151/263)) were significantly lower than those before April 2020 (SaV: 93.9 % (31/33), ARoV: 97.0 % (32/33); SaV: p < 3.5×10-7, ARoV: p < 1.5×10-6). Furthermore, despite comparable detection ratios before (88.5 %, 23/26) and during (66.7 %, 80/120) the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.032), the concentrations of NoV GII revealed a significant decrease after the onset of the pandemic (p < 1.5×10-7, Cliff's delta = 0.72). NoV GI RNA were sporadically detected (24.7 %, 8/33) before April 2020 and after May 2020 (6.5 %, 17/263), whereas AiV was consistently (100 %, 33/33) detected from wastewater throughout the study period (95.8 %, 252/263). The WBE results demonstrated the significant influence of COVID-19 countermeasures on the circulation of gastroenteritis viruses, with variations observed in the magnitude of their impact across different types of viruses. These epidemiological findings highlight that the hygiene practices implemented to prevent COVID-19 infections may also be effective for controlling the prevalence of gastroenteritis viruses, providing invaluable insights for public health units and the development of effective disease management guidelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ando
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Satoshi Okabe
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kitajima
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kabue JP, Khumela R, Meader E, Baroni de Moraes MT, Traore AN, Potgieter N. Norovirus-Associated Gastroenteritis Vesikari Score and Pre-Existing Salivary IgA in Young Children from Rural South Africa. Viruses 2023; 15:2185. [PMID: 38005863 PMCID: PMC10674611 DOI: 10.3390/v15112185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, mostly affecting young children worldwide. However, limited data are available to determine the severity of norovirus-associated AGE (acute gastroenteritis) and to correlate it with the NoV-specific IgA antibodies' level. Between October 2019 and September 2021, two hundred stool samples were randomly collected from symptomatic cases for the vesikari score and NoV-specific IgA assessment in young children from rural South Africa. Additionally, one hundred saliva specimens were concomitantly sampled within the same cohort to evaluate the NoV-specific salivary IgA levels. In addition, 50 paired saliva and stool samples were simultaneously collected from asymptomatic children to serve as controls. NoV strains in stool samples were detected using real-time RT-PCR, amplified, and genotyped with RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. ELISA using NoV VLP (virus-like particles) GII.4 as antigens was performed on the saliva specimens. Dehydrated children were predominantly those with NoV infections (65/74, 88%; p < 0.0001). NoV-positive infections were significantly associated with the severe diarrhea cases having a high vesikari score (55%, 33/60) when compared to the non-severe diarrheal score (29.3%, 41/140; p < 0.0308). NoV of the GII genogroup was mainly detected in severe diarrhea cases (50.9%, 30/59; p = 0.0036). The geometric means of the NoV-specific IgA level were higher in the asymptomatic NoV-infected group (0.286) as compared to the symptomatic group (0.174). This finding suggests that mucosal immunity may not protect the children from the NoV infection. However, the findings indicated the contribution of the pre-existing NoV-specific IgA immune response in reducing the severity of diarrheal disease. A high vesikari score of AGE associated with the NoV GII genogroup circulating in the study area underscores the need for an appropriate treatment of AGE based on the severity level of NoV-associated clinical symptoms in young children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Kabue
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (R.K.); (A.N.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Ronewa Khumela
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (R.K.); (A.N.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Emma Meader
- Clinical Microbiology, Pathology Department, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford TN24 OLZ, UK;
| | - Marcia Terezinha Baroni de Moraes
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Avenida Brazil, 4365-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Afsatou Ndama Traore
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (R.K.); (A.N.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Natasha Potgieter
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (R.K.); (A.N.T.); (N.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fukuda Y, Togashi A, Hirakawa S, Yamamoto M, Fukumura S, Nawa T, Honjo S, Kunizaki J, Nishino K, Tanaka T, Kizawa T, Yamamoto D, Takeuchi R, Sasaoka Y, Kikuchi M, Ito T, Nagai K, Asakura H, Kudou K, Yoshida M, Nishida T, Tsugawa T. Changing Patterns of Infectious Diseases Among Hospitalized Children in Hokkaido, Japan, in the Post-COVID-19 Era, July 2019 to June 2022. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:766-773. [PMID: 37257096 PMCID: PMC10627402 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many reports have reported a reduction in respiratory infectious diseases and infectious gastroenteritis immediately after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but data continuing into 2022 are very limited. We sought to understand the current situation of various infectious diseases among children in Japan as of July 2022 to improve public health in the post-COVID-19 era. METHODS We collected data on children hospitalized with infectious diseases in 18 hospitals in Japan from July 2019 to June 2022. RESULTS In total, 3417 patients were hospitalized during the study period. Respiratory syncytial virus decreased drastically after COVID-19 spread in early 2020, and few patients were hospitalized for it from April 2020 to March 2021. However, an unexpected out-of-season re-emergence of respiratory syncytial virus was observed in August 2021 (50 patients per week), particularly prominent among older children 3-6 years old. A large epidemic of delayed norovirus gastroenteritis was observed in April 2021, suggesting that the nonpharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 are less effective against norovirus. However, influenza, human metapneumovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae , and rotavirus gastroenteritis were rarely seen for more than 2 years. CONCLUSIONS The incidence patterns of various infectious diseases in Japan have changed markedly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the present. The epidemic pattern in the post-COVID-19 era is unpredictable and will require continued careful surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Fukuda
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Japan Red Cross Urakawa Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Atsuo Togashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirakawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masaki Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shinobu Fukumura
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nawa
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Hokkaido Medical Center for Child Health and Rehabilitation, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Saho Honjo
- Department of Pediatrics, Iwamizawa Municipal General Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Jun Kunizaki
- Department of Pediatrics, NTT EC Sapporo Medical Center, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kouhei Nishino
- Department of Pediatrics, Otaru Kyokai Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Toju Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido Medical Center, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Kizawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Japan Community Health care Organization Sapporo Hokushin Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Dai Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kushiro City General Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ryoh Takeuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemuro City Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuta Sasaoka
- Department of Pediatrics, Hakodate Municipal Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Kikuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Sunagawa City Medical Center, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takuro Ito
- Department of Pediatrics, Steel Memorial Muroran Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kazushige Nagai
- Department of Pediatrics, Takikawa Municipal Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Asakura
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido Esashi Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Katsumasa Kudou
- Department of Pediatrics, Tomakomai City Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masaki Yoshida
- Department of Pediatrics, Yakumo General Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nishida
- Department of Pediatrics, Rumoi City Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tsugawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Love NK, Douglas A, Gharbia S, Hughes H, Morbey R, Oliver I, Smith GE, Elliot AJ. Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on GI infection surveillance trends in England, January 2020-April 2022. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e147. [PMID: 37622322 PMCID: PMC10540168 DOI: 10.1017/s095026882300136x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Stepwise non-pharmaceutical interventions and health system changes implemented as part of the COVID-19 response have had implications on the incidence, diagnosis, and reporting of other communicable diseases. Here, we established the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak response on gastrointestinal (GI) infection trends using routinely collected surveillance data from six national English laboratory, outbreak, and syndromic surveillance systems using key dates of governmental policy to assign phases for comparison between pandemic and historic data. Following decreases across all indicators during the first lockdown (March-May 2020), bacterial and parasitic pathogens associated with foodborne or environmental transmission routes recovered rapidly between June and September 2020, while those associated with travel and/or person-to-person transmission remained lower than expected for 2021. High out-of-season norovirus activity was observed with the easing of lockdown measures between June and October 2021, with this trend reflected in laboratory and outbreak systems and syndromic surveillance indicators. Above expected increases in emergency department (ED) attendances may have reflected changes in health-seeking behaviour and provision. Differential reductions across specific GI pathogens are indicative of the underlying routes of transmission. These results provide further insight into the drivers for transmission, which can help inform control measures for GI infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola K. Love
- North East Field Services, Health Protection Operations, UK Health Security Agency, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy Douglas
- Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Saheer Gharbia
- Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Helen Hughes
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, Health Protection Operations, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham, UK
- Farr Institute@HeRC, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Roger Morbey
- Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, Health Protection Operations, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Isabel Oliver
- Science Group, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gillian E. Smith
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, Health Protection Operations, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Alex J. Elliot
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, Health Protection Operations, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King’s College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gutierrez MB, de Assis RMS, de Andrade JDSR, Fialho AM, Fumian TM. Rotavirus A during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil, 2020-2022: Emergence of G6P[8] Genotype. Viruses 2023; 15:1619. [PMID: 37631962 PMCID: PMC10458023 DOI: 10.3390/v15081619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rotavirus A (RVA) remains a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations in children worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in vaccination coverage in Brazil and elsewhere was observed, and some reports have demonstrated a reduction in AGE notifications during the pandemic. This study aims to investigate the diversity and prevalence of RVA genotypes in children and adults presenting with AGE symptoms in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022. RVA was screened using RT-qPCR; then, G and P genotypes were characterized using one-step multiplex RT-PCR. A total of 2173 samples were investigated over the three-year period, and we detected RVA in 7.7% of samples (n = 167), being 15.5% in 2020, 0.5% in 2021, and 13.8% in 2022. Higher RVA prevalence was observed in the Northeastern region (19.3%) compared to the Southeastern (6.1%) and Southern regions (5.5%). The most affected age group was children aged between 0 and 6 months old; however, this was not statistically significant. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis identified the emergence of G6P[8] during the period; moreover, it was detected in 10.6% of samples in 2020 and in 83.5% in 2022. In contrast, the prevalence of G3P[8], the previous dominant genotype, decreased from 72.3% in 2020 to 11.3% in 2022. We also identified unusual strains, such as G3P[9] and G9P[4], being sporadically detected during the period. This is the first report on the molecular epidemiology and surveillance of RVA during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Brazil. Our study provides evidence for the importance of maintaining high and sustainable levels of vaccine coverage to protect against RVA disease. Furthermore, it highlights the need to maintain nationwide surveillance in order to monitor future trends and changes in the epidemiology of RVA in Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tulio Machado Fumian
- Laboratório de Virologia Comparada e Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (M.B.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Murphy A, Kirby A, De Blasio F. The economic impact of the introduction of universal rotavirus vaccination on rotavirus gastroenteritis related hospitalisations in children in Ireland. Vaccine 2023; 41:2656-2663. [PMID: 36948981 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE), a vaccine preventable disease, remains a common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children globally. Ireland introduced the universal rotavirus vaccination to the national immunisation programme in 2016. In this paper the economic impact on RVGE related hospitalisations amongst children under 5 years is examined. METHODS Using national data from all Irish public hospitals, an Interrupted Times Series Analysis (ITSA) compares RVGE hospitalisations amongst children under 5 years, pre- and post-vaccine introduction. Costs are estimated and ITSA results are compared to the counterfactual to estimate the economic impact of the vaccine. A probit model examines patient characteristics pre- and post-vaccine introduction. RESULTS Vaccine introduction coincided with lowered RVGE related hospitalisations. While this effect was delayed (1 year) there is evidence of a sustained impact. RVGE patients' post-vaccine introduction were likely to be over 2 years (p = 0.001) and length of stay was lower on average (p = 0.095). The counterfactual analysis revealed 492 RVGE hospitalisations were avoided on average annually since the introduction of the vaccine. This has an estimated economic value of €0.92 million per annum. CONCLUSIONS Following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in Ireland, hospitalisations for RVGE decreased significantly and those hospitalised were older and with a reduced length of stay on average. This has the potential for significant cost savings for the Irish healthcare system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Murphy
- Department of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Ann Kirby
- Department of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland.
| | - Federica De Blasio
- Department of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yamamoto S, Sudo-Yokoyama Y, Ogasawara N, Yokota SI. Rapid, simple, and cost-effective plaque assay for murine norovirus using microcrystalline cellulose. J Virol Methods 2023; 316:114715. [PMID: 36940863 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Murine norovirus (MNV) is used widely as a practical alternative to human norovirus (HuNoV). Plaque-forming assays for MNV are important for developing therapeutic agents against HuNoV infections. Although agarose-overlay MNV assays have been reported, recent improvements in cellulose derivatives suggest that they could be optimized further, particularly with respect to improving the overlay material. To determine which overlay material is optimal for the MNV plaque assay, we compared four typical cellulose derivatives [microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)] with conventional agarose. We found that 3.5% (w/v) MCC-containing medium provided clear round-shaped plaques on RAW 264.7 cells 1 day after inoculation; the visibility of plaques was comparable with that of the original agarose-overlay assay. Removing residual MCC powder from the MCC-overlay assay before fixing was important for obtaining distinct plaques that are clearly countable. Finally, after calculating the plaque diameter as a percentage of well diameter, we found that 12- and 24-well plates were better than other plates for accurate plaque counting. The MCC-based MNV plaque assay is cost-effective and rapid, and produces plaques that are easy to count. Accurate virus quantification using this optimized plaque assay will enable reliable estimation of norovirus titers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soh Yamamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuka Sudo-Yokoyama
- Department of Microbiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Noriko Ogasawara
- Department of Microbiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichi Yokota
- Department of Microbiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Salvo M, Azambuya J, Baccardatz N, Moriondo A, Blanco R, Martinez M, Direnna M, Bertolini G, Gamazo P, Colina R, Alvareda E, Victoria M. One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and Rotavirus in Water Matrices from a Hot Spring Area. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:401-409. [PMID: 36181654 PMCID: PMC9525940 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-022-09537-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still impacting not only on human health but also all economic activities, especially in those related to tourism. In this study, in order to characterize the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a hot spring park in Uruguay, swimming pools water, wastewater, and surface water from this area were analyzed by quantitative PCR. Wastewater from Salto city located next to the hydrothermal spring area was also evaluated as well as the presence of Rotavirus (RV). Overall, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 13% (13/102) of the analyzed samples. Moreover, this virus was not detected in any of the samples from the swimming pools water and was present in 18% (3/17) of wastewater samples from the hotels area showing the same trend between the titer of SARS-CoV-2 and the number of infected people in Salto city. SARS-CoV-2 was also detected in wastewater samples (32% (11/34)) from Salto city, detecting the first positive sample when 105 persons were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Rotavirus was detected only in 10% (2/24) of the wastewater samples analyzed in months when partial lockdown measures were taken, however, this virus was detected in nearly all wastewater samples analyzed when social distancing measures and partial lockdown were relaxed. Wastewater results confirmed the advantages of using the detection and quantification of viruses in this matrix in order to evaluate the presence of these viruses in the population, highlighting the usefulness of this approach to define and apply social distancing. This study suggests that waters from swimming pools are not a source of infection for SARS-CoV-2, although more studies are needed including infectivity assays in order to confirm this statement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Salvo
- Water Department, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de La República, Rivera 1350, 50000, Salto, CP, Uruguay
| | - J Azambuya
- Administración de Las Obras Sanitarias del Estado, Salto, Uruguay
| | - N Baccardatz
- Administración de Las Obras Sanitarias del Estado, Salto, Uruguay
| | - A Moriondo
- Ministry of Public Health, Salto, Uruguay
| | - R Blanco
- Ministry of Public Health, Salto, Uruguay
| | | | - M Direnna
- Intendencia de Salto, Salto, Uruguay
| | | | - P Gamazo
- Water Department, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de La República, Rivera 1350, 50000, Salto, CP, Uruguay
| | - R Colina
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, 50000, Salto, CP, Uruguay
| | - E Alvareda
- Water Department, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de La República, Rivera 1350, 50000, Salto, CP, Uruguay.
| | - M Victoria
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, 50000, Salto, CP, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang H, Shen L, Sun M, Zhao C, Li Q, Yang Z, Liu J, Liu K, Xiao B. Spatiotemporal impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on the incidence of infectious diarrhea in Xi'an, China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1011592. [PMID: 36518571 PMCID: PMC9742410 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1011592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) against COVID-19 may prevent the spread of other infectious diseases. Our purpose was to assess the effects of NPIs against COVID-19 on infectious diarrhea in Xi'an, China. Methods Based on the surveillance data of infectious diarrhea, and the different periods of emergence responses for COVID-19 in Xi'an from 2011 to 2021, we applied Bayesian structural time series model and interrupted time series model to evaluate the effects of NPIs against COVID-19 on the epidemiological characteristics and the causative pathogens of infectious diarrhea. Findings A total of 102,051 cases of infectious diarrhea were reported in Xi'an from 2011 to 2021. The Bayesian structural time series model results demonstrated that the cases of infectious diarrhea during the emergency response period was 40.38% lower than predicted, corresponding to 3,211 fewer cases, during the COVID-19 epidemic period of 2020-2021. The reduction exhibited significant variations in the demography, temporal and geographical distribution. The decline in incidence was especially evident in children under 5-years-old, with decreases of 34.09% in 2020 and 33.99% in 2021, relative to the 2017-2019 average. Meanwhile, the incidence decreased more significantly in industrial areas. Interpretation NPIs against COVID-19 were associated with short- and long-term reductions in the incidence of infectious diarrhea, and this effect exhibited significant variations in epidemiological characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Shen
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Minghao Sun
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chenxi Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zurong Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Department of Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China,Kun Liu
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China,*Correspondence: Bo Xiao
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Koukou DM, Michos A, Chatzichristou P, Trimis G, Tatsi EB, Dellis C, Zachariadou L, Liakopoulou T, Chrousos GP, Syriopoulou V. Rotavirus epidemiology and genotype distribution in hospitalised children, Greece, 2008 to 2020: A prospective multicentre study. Euro Surveill 2022; 27:2101133. [PMID: 36695456 PMCID: PMC9693793 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.47.2101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTwo rotavirus (RV) vaccines were licensed in Greece in late 2006 and included in the national immunisation programme in 2012.AimTo study the epidemiology and genotype distribution of RV in children during the post-vaccination period and assess the impact of increased vaccination coverage.MethodsIn a prospective multicentre hospital-based study, hospitalised children (≤ 16 years) with an RV-positive faecal sample were recruited. Epidemiological and genotyping analyses were performed; periods of low (2008-12) and moderate (2012-20) RV vaccination coverage were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with a chi-squared or Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression.ResultsA total of 3,874 children (55.6% male; n = 2,153) with median age of 1.4 years (IQR: 0.5-3.3) were studied during 2008-20. Most RV-infected children were aged ≤ 3 years (72.2%) and hospitalised during December-May (69.1%). Common RV genotypes (G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], G9P[8], G12P[8]) were detected in 92.2% of samples; G-P combinations with prevalence above 1% were G4P[8] (44.1%), G1P[8] (25.4%), G2P[4] (14.9%), G9P[8] (3.5%), G12P[8] (2.2%), G3P[8] (2.1%), other (4.3%) and mixed (3.5%). Of all samples, 97.6% were homotypic or partially heterotypic to vaccines' genotypes. With moderate vaccination coverage, the seasonal peak was detected earlier, children were older and partially or fully heterotypic genotypes were increased (p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn the era of moderate RV vaccination coverage in Greece, epidemiology of RV in hospitalised children seemed to change. However, most circulating genotypes remain homotypic or partially heterotypic to RV vaccines. Continuous epidemiological surveillance and genotyping are important to monitor possible changes arising from RV vaccines' implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra-Maria Koukou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Michos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Chatzichristou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Trimis
- MSD Greece, Medical and Scientific Affairs Department, Athens, Greece
| | - Elizabeth-Barbara Tatsi
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Charilaos Dellis
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - George P Chrousos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Syriopoulou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mattison CP, Calderwood LE, Marsh ZA, Wikswo ME, Balachandran N, Kambhampati AK, Gleason ME, Lawinger H, Mirza SA. Childcare and School Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreaks: 2009-2020. Pediatrics 2022; 150:e2021056002. [PMID: 36278284 PMCID: PMC10061552 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-056002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks commonly occur in congregate settings, including schools and childcare facilities. These outbreaks disrupt institutions, causing absences and temporary facility closures. This study analyzed the epidemiology of school and childcare AGE outbreaks in the United States. METHODS We analyzed AGE outbreaks occurring in kindergarten to grade 12 schools and childcare facilities reported via the National Outbreak Reporting System in the United States from 2009 to 2019 and compared this information to 2020 data. Outbreak and case characteristics were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, χ2 goodness-of-fit test, and Fisher exact test. RESULTS From 2009 to 2019, there were 2623 school, 1972 childcare, and 38 school and childcare outbreaks. School outbreaks were larger (median, 29 cases) than childcare outbreaks (median, 10 cases). Childcare outbreaks were longer (median, 15 days) than school outbreaks (median, 9 days). Norovirus (2383 outbreaks; 110 190 illnesses) and Shigella spp. (756 outbreaks; 9123 illnesses) were the most reported etiologies. Norovirus was the leading etiology in schools; norovirus and Shigella spp. were dominant etiologies in childcare centers. Most (85.7%) outbreaks were spread via person-to-person contact. In 2020, 123 outbreaks were reported, 85% in the first quarter. CONCLUSIONS Schools and childcare centers are common AGE outbreak settings in the United States. Most outbreaks were caused by norovirus and Shigella spp. and spread via person-to-person transmission. Fewer outbreaks were reported in 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic. Prevention and control efforts should focus on interrupting transmission, including environmental disinfection, proper handwashing, safe diapering, and exclusion of ill persons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire P. Mattison
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- Cherokee Nation Assurance, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Laura E. Calderwood
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- Cherokee Nation Assurance, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Zachary A. Marsh
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mary E. Wikswo
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
| | - Neha Balachandran
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- Cherokee Nation Assurance, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Anita K. Kambhampati
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
| | - Michelle E. Gleason
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hannah Lawinger
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sara A. Mirza
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Koukou DM, Michos A, Chatzichristou P, Trimis G, Tatsi EB, Dellis C, Zachariadou L, Liakopoulou T, Chrousos GP, Syriopoulou V. Rotavirus epidemiology and genotype distribution in hospitalised children, Greece, 2008 to 2020: A prospective multicentre study. Euro Surveill 2022; 27. [PMID: 36695456 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.47.2101133/cite/plaintext] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTwo rotavirus (RV) vaccines were licensed in Greece in late 2006 and included in the national immunisation programme in 2012.AimTo study the epidemiology and genotype distribution of RV in children during the post-vaccination period and assess the impact of increased vaccination coverage.MethodsIn a prospective multicentre hospital-based study, hospitalised children (≤ 16 years) with an RV-positive faecal sample were recruited. Epidemiological and genotyping analyses were performed; periods of low (2008-12) and moderate (2012-20) RV vaccination coverage were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with a chi-squared or Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression.ResultsA total of 3,874 children (55.6% male; n = 2,153) with median age of 1.4 years (IQR: 0.5-3.3) were studied during 2008-20. Most RV-infected children were aged ≤ 3 years (72.2%) and hospitalised during December-May (69.1%). Common RV genotypes (G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], G9P[8], G12P[8]) were detected in 92.2% of samples; G-P combinations with prevalence above 1% were G4P[8] (44.1%), G1P[8] (25.4%), G2P[4] (14.9%), G9P[8] (3.5%), G12P[8] (2.2%), G3P[8] (2.1%), other (4.3%) and mixed (3.5%). Of all samples, 97.6% were homotypic or partially heterotypic to vaccines' genotypes. With moderate vaccination coverage, the seasonal peak was detected earlier, children were older and partially or fully heterotypic genotypes were increased (p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn the era of moderate RV vaccination coverage in Greece, epidemiology of RV in hospitalised children seemed to change. However, most circulating genotypes remain homotypic or partially heterotypic to RV vaccines. Continuous epidemiological surveillance and genotyping are important to monitor possible changes arising from RV vaccines' implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra-Maria Koukou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Michos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Chatzichristou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Trimis
- MSD Greece, Medical and Scientific Affairs Department, Athens, Greece
| | - Elizabeth-Barbara Tatsi
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Charilaos Dellis
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Syriopoulou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Akut Viral Gastroenteritli Çocuklarda COVID-19 Pandemisi Öncesi ve Sırasında Rotavirüs ve Enterik Adenovirüs Sıklığının Araştırılması. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.16899/jcm.1146516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus are common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. With the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, measures for pandemic management have also affected frequency of other viral agents. The aim of this study was to investigate changing antigen positivity pattern of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus before and during pandemic and to determine its distribution according to age groups, gender and season of admittance.
Material and Method: Test results of 14670 stool samples of pediatric patients with gastroenteritis between January 2019-June 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigens were detected by immunochromatography.
Results: The positivity rates of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigen were 9.5% and 1.6%, respectively, before pandemic. A statistically significant decrease was detected for positivity rates of both these viruses during pandemic. Rotavirus antigen positivity significantly increased in 0-2 age group during pandemic (72.9%) compared to pre-pandemic period (70.4%) and significantly decreased from 4.1% to 3.5% in age group of 8-14 during pandemic. Distribution of adenovirus antigen positivity according to age groups did not differ significantly. There was no significant association between period and gender in terms of positivity rates. In pre-pandemic winter, rotavirus and adenovirus positivity rates were found to be significantly higher than in other seasons whereas during pandemic, positivity rates significantly increased in spring and summer.
Conclusion: Frequencies of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus have shown a significant decrease during pandemic. Infection control measures have play an important role in reducing incidence of enteric viruses as well as SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
|
19
|
Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on the Prevalence and Incidence of Gastrointestinal Viruses in Children up to Five Years Old: a Retrospective Cohort Study. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0266921. [PMID: 35638853 PMCID: PMC9241842 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02669-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim is determining the impact of non-pharmaceutical measures (NPIs) against SARS-CoV-2 in the incidence and prevalence of gastrointestinal viruses (GV) in children. Demographic, analytical, and clinical data of children from which samples were received at the Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid, Spain) and that had a gastrointestinal infection with a positive sample through multiplex-PCR for GV were collected. The time periods included were prepandemic (P1): March 14, 2019 to March 14, 2020 and pandemic (P2): March 15, 2020 to March 15, 2021. The global prevalence, relative incidence (RI, per 1,000 admissions) and absolute incidence (AI, per 100,000 population) of GV were compared for both time periods. The prevalence of GV versus SARS-CoV-2 was determined for P2. Seven-hundred and 50 out of 2,547 children analyzed in P1 and 106 out of 1,368 in P2 were positive by PCR for GV (46.3% decrease in P2). Prevalence and RI of GV declined in P2, except for the RI of rotavirus. Adenovirus showed the largest decreased of prevalence and RI (100%), followed by sapovirus. Astrovirus reduction was less pronounced (3.1% versus 0.4%). Norovirus was the most frequent virus in both time periods and its prevalence and RI also decreased in P2 (15.2% versus 4.7% and 3.40 versus 1.74, respectively). Rotavirus had the smallest decrease in prevalence (2.6% versus 2.5%), and its RI increased during P2 from 0.7 to 0.93. After removing the rotavirus vaccine strains from the analysis, the prevalence and RI decreased during P2 (2.1% to 0.7% and 0.5 to 0.3, respectively). The AI decreased during P2 in all GV, and the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and GV was inversely proportional over time. Prevalence and incidence of GV have decreased during the pandemic, probably due to the implementation of NPIs against this virus and the reduction of health care attention to infections other than COVID-19. The differences in the decrease of prevalence and incidence for each virus may be explained by differences in the transmission and the resistance in the environment. Prevalence and RI of rotavirus might be biased since the PCR used detects both the infecting and the vaccine strains. IMPORTANCE Our original article contains an analysis of the impact of the measures applied against SARS-CoV-2 on the prevalence and incidence of GV in children. The small number of studies published to date that analyze the impact of these measures individually on each of the GV makes our study of great interest at this time.
Collapse
|
20
|
Kuitunen I, Artama M, Haapanen M, Renko M. Noro- and rotavirus detections in children during COVID-19 pandemic-A nationwide register study in Finland. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:1978-1980. [PMID: 35675130 PMCID: PMC9348231 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilari Kuitunen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Pediatrics, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Miia Artama
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjut Haapanen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marjo Renko
- Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lu MC, Lin SC, Hsu YH, Chen SY. Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Unusual Complications of Norovirus Infection in Taiwan: What We Know after Rotavirus Vaccines. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040451. [PMID: 35456126 PMCID: PMC9026459 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Noroviruses (NoVs) are one of the emerging and rapidly spreading groups of pathogens threatening human health. A reduction in sporadic NoV infections was noted following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the return of NoV gastroenteritis during the COVID-19 pandemic has been noted recently. Research in recent years has shown that different virus strains are associated with different clinical characteristics; moreover, there is a paucity of research into extraintestinal or unusual complications that may be associated with NoV. The genomic diversity of circulating NoVs is also complex and may vary significantly. Therefore, this short narrative review focuses on sharing the Taiwan experience of NoV infection including epidemiology, clinical features, and complications following suboptimal rotavirus immunization in Taiwan (after October 2006). We also highlight the unusual complications associated with NoV infections and the impacts of NoV infection during the COVID-19 pandemic in the literature for possible future research directions. To conclude, further research is needed to quantify the burden of NoV across the spectrum of disease severity in Taiwan. The evidence of the connection between NoV and the unusual complications is still lacking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Che Lu
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (M.-C.L.); (S.-C.L.)
| | - Sheng-Chieh Lin
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (M.-C.L.); (S.-C.L.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei city 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiang Hsu
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Shih-Yen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei city 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Burnett E, Parashar UD, Winn A, Tate JE. Trends in rotavirus laboratory detections and internet search volume before and after rotavirus vaccine introduction and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic-- United States 2000-2021. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:967-974. [PMID: 35184198 PMCID: PMC9383438 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Since rotavirus vaccines became available in the United States in 2006, there have been reductions in rotavirus hospitalizations, changes in seasonality, and the emergence of a biennial trend of rotavirus activity. Reductions in other pathogens have been associated with COVID-19 mitigation measures. We assessed ongoing rotavirus disease trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We report a 3-week moving average of the number of rotavirus tests, positive tests, and the percent positivity from laboratories reporting to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) from July 2000-June 2021. To complement NREVSS data, we analyzed Google internet search interest in “rotavirus” from July 2004 to June 2021.
Results
Declines in rotavirus activity following vaccine introduction and the biennial trend are evident through the 2018-2019 surveillance year. In 2019-2021, rotavirus test positivity was below the historic ranges during the months of typically high rotavirus activity and precipitous declines were noted in March 2020.
Conclusions
In the 15 years since rotavirus vaccine was introduced, the number of laboratory-detected rotavirus infections has been consistently lower than during the pre-vaccine era. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rotavirus activity was suppressed. There may be many rotavirus susceptible children during the 2021-2022 rotavirus season.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Burnett
- Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Umesh D Parashar
- Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Winn
- Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jacqueline E Tate
- Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|