Risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers outside hospitals: A real-life immuno-virological study during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic

Objectives Most COVID-19 related infections and deaths may occur in healthcare outside hospitals. Here we explored SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) in this setting. Design All healthcare providers in Stockholm, Sweden were asked to recruit HCWs at work for a study of past or present SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs. Study participants This study reports the results from 839 HCWs, mostly employees of primary care centers, sampled in June 2020. Results SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was found among 12% (100/839) of HCWs, ranging from 0% to 29% between care units. Seropositivity decreased by age and was highest among HCWs <40 years of age. Within this age group there was 19% (23/120) seropositivity among women and 11% (15/138) among men (p<0.02). Current infection, as measured using PCR, was found in only 1% and the typical testing pattern of pre-symptomatic potential “superspreaders” found in only 2/839 subjects. Conclusions Previous SARS-CoV-2 infections were common among younger HCWs in this setting. Pre-symptomatic infection was uncommon, in line with the strong variability in SARS-CoV-2 exposure between units. Prioritizing infection prevention and control including sufficient and adequate personal protective equipment, and vaccination for all HCWs are important to prevent nosocomial infections and infections as occupational injuries during an ongoing pandemic.

Transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has spread and became the first pandemics of the century. SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted through droplets; other transmission routes have been hypothesized but never confirmed. So far, it has been unclear whether and how SARS-CoV-2 can be vertically transmitted from the mother to the fetus. We demonstrated for the first time the transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a neonate born to mother infected in the last trimester. The transmission has been confirmed by a comprehensive virological study: SARS-CoV-2 transmission caused neonatal viremia placental inflammation which has been demonstrated by histological examination and immunohistochemistry. The neonate presented with neurological manifestation, consistent with those described in adult patients.

Complete Genome Sequences of Four Serotypes of Dengue Virus Prototype Continuously Maintained in the Laboratory

Dengue prototype strains are widely used for virological study. The strains presented here have been cultured under different laboratory environments, resulting in accumulating genetic variations.

ENTEROVIRAL MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN: MODERN APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Objective. To reveal the clinical and epidemiological features of еnterovirus meningitis (EVM) in 140 children of Krasnoyarsk in the period of seasonal rise of morbidity in 2017.Materials and methods. For the etiological interpretation of the enterovirus infection (EVI), a molecular biological and virological study of the cerebrospinal fluid, two samples of feces, a swab from the oropharynx, the contents of the vesicles was carried out. Statistical processing of data was carried out using the PASW Statistics 17.0 program.Results. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, an annual increase in the incidence of EVI is registered, exceeding the average for the country. Serous meningitis is traditionally the main clinical form of EVI. Among the observed patients with EVM, the main group consisted of preschool children (32.9%) and school age (30%), mainly organized in children's groups (84.3%), and the summer-autumn seasonality of the disease remains. Meningitis was observed in 82.8% of patients, meningitis combined with exanthema — in 10%, with herpangina — in 2.1%, with myalgia — in isolated cases . Mediastinal forms of the disease predominated (96.4% — 135 people), severe forms of the EVM were diagnosed only in 3.6% (5 patients). The clinical picture is traditionally represented by three leading syndromes: intoxication, cerebral and meningeal. The implementation of the epidemic process in 2017 was mainly represented by enteroviruses Coxackie B, B1, B2, B4. Despite the relatively favorable course of the EVM, residual events were in 10% of patients (14 people) at the time of discharge.