Temporally Associated Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Alaska, USA, 2020-2021.

Streptococcus pneumoniae can co-infect persons who have viral respiratory tract infections. However, research on S. pneumoniae infections that are temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections is limited. We described the epidemiology and clinical course of patients who had invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and temporally associated SARS-CoV-2 infections in Alaska, USA, during January 1, 2020-December 23, 2021. Of 271 patients who had laboratory-confirmed IPD, 55 (20%) had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. We observed no major differences in age, race, sex, or underlying medical conditions among IPD patients with and without SARS-CoV-2. However, a larger proportion of IPD patients with SARS-CoV-2 died (16%, n = 9) than for those with IPD alone (4%, n = 9) (p<0.01). IPD patients with SARS-CoV-2 were also more likely to be experiencing homelessness (adjusted OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.7-7.5). Our study highlights the risk for dual infection and ongoing benefits of pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccination, especially among vulnerable populations.

Epidemiology of invasive Haemophilus influenzae serotype a disease in the North American Arctic, 2006-2017.

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type a (iHia) disease was detected in Alaska and Northern Canada in 2002 and 2000, respectively. From 2006 to 2017, 164 iHia cases (Alaska=53, Northern Canada=111) were reported. Rates of iHia disease per 100,000 persons were higher in Northern Canada compared to Alaska and were significantly higher in Indigenous (Alaska 2.8, Northern Canada 9.5) compared to non-Indigenous populations (Alaska 0.1, Northern Canada=0.4). Disease rates were highest in Indigenous children <2 years of age (Alaska 56.2, Northern Canada=144.1) and significantly higher than in non-Indigenous children <2 (Alaska 0.1, Northern Canada 0.4). The most common clinical presentation in children <5 years was meningitis of age and pneumonia in persons ≥5 years old. Most patients were hospitalised (Alaska=87%, Northern Canada=89%) and fatality was similar (Alaska=11%, Northern Canada=10%). MLST testing showed sequence types ST23 and ST576 in Northern Canada and ST576, ST23 and ST56 in Alaska. Alaska and Northern Canada have high rates of iHia disease. A vaccine is needed in these regions to protect young children.

A cross-sectional study of intestinal parasitic infections of the European badgers in Woodchester Park, South West England.

Tuberculosis and helminthiosis often coincide geographically. So, question arises whether helminthes can modulate the host immune response and affect tuberculosis. Knowledge of the specific interactions between both enables better understanding of pathogenesis and potential controls. The study evaluated the hypothesis that badgers with a high parasitosis exhibit more susceptibility to tuberculosis compared to those with low or no parasitic infection. Faecal specimens from 28 badgers were examined by using standardised protocols. Fourteen different parasitic species were recovered; nine helminth species and five protozoa species. This diversity indicates that parasites are abundant in UK badgers. Results were compared with regards to age and sex. Parasitic prevalence tended to be higher in males than females and in cubs than adults. Two significant findings were obtained; (1) males had heavier infections with Strongyle nematode L1 larvae than females; (2) cubs showed both higher prevalence and intensity of infection with coccidian oocysts compared to adults. In the sampled population, no significant correlation was found between TB status and diversity or intensity of parasitic infection. This refutes the hypothesis that parasitism exacerbates TB status. Studies encompassing larger numbers of badgers are needed for confirmation of the present finding.