Norovirus infections in the Czech Republic in 2008-2020.

INTRODUCTION: Noroviruses, together with rotaviruses, are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in the Czech Republic (CR). The aim of this study was to analyse data on the incidence of norovirus gastroenteritis in the CR and thus to add to the body of knowledge about its significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis was performed of the basic characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis reported under ICD-10 code A08.1 to the Epidat or ISIN electronic infectious diseases information system between 2008 and 2020. On the basis of reports from five microbiological laboratories, weekly data on confirmed cases of norovirus infection from 2010-2020 were analysed. Databases of microbiology laboratories from across the Czech Republic were searched to determine the number of the laboratories where norovirus infections were diagnosed and the methods used for this purpose in 2008-2020. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2020, 33,575 cases of norovirus gastroenteritis were reported to the infectious diseases information systems, which equates to an annual incidence of 24.5/100,000 population, varying between years from 8.2 to 77.1/100,000. Men accounted for 40.2% of cases with an incidence of 20.1/100,000 compared to 28.8/100,000 recorded in women. Of the total of reported cases, 14,282 patients (42.5%) required hospital admission. Over the whole study period, 7,431 cases of norovirus gastroenteritis were recorded in children under 5 years of age. This age category accounted for 13.7-38.9% of the annual totals of reported cases. The incidences were 101.8/100,000 in children under 5 years of age, 40.1/100,000 in 5-14-year-olds, 12.7/100,000 in 15-64-year-olds, and 38.2/100,000 in the age group 65 years and over. Twenty-four deaths (case fatality rate of 0.07%) were reported as associated with norovirus gastroenteritis at the ages 42-94. In the age categories 15-64 years and 65 years and over, the case fatality rates were 0.02% and 0.24%, respectively. Over the study period, 274 epidemics occurred, during which 16,893 (50.3%) of the total of 33,575 cases were reported. In the epidemic outbreaks, 1,694 (10.0%) patients required hospital admission. The largest outbreak with 5,248 reported cases in 2015 was associated with contamination of the Prague water supply system. Norovirus infections were laboratory diagnosed year-round, peaking in the autumn and winter months. They are currently diagnosed by 81 laboratories in the Czech Republic, 90.1% of which use immunochromatographic tests. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the highest incidence of norovirus gastroenteritis among children under 5 years of age and the highest case fatality rate in the age group 65 years and over. Over half of the reported cases were outbreak associated. Most laboratories use immunochromatographic tests. The use of more sensitive laboratory methods would improve diagnosis.

[The effect of age and educational level on the risk profile of men and women in industrial occupations]. / Vliv veku a vzdelání na rizikový profil muzu a zen v prumyslové populaci.

The authors investigated a population group of 660 men and 440 women aged 35-60 years selected in the Skoda works and examined as part of the integrated programme of prevention of chronic non-infectious diseases. The risk profile of subjects associated with the life-style of the population was evaluated with regard to sex, age and education. It was revealed that the blood pressure rises with age and body weight in men and women. With rising body weight rises also the triglyceride and uric acid level and in women also the total cholesterol level. The authors confirmed the relationship between smoking and the thiocyanate blood level. The magnesium level declines with age in both sexes and correlates with the reported alcohol intake. Men and women with higher education smoke less, have a lower body weight and lower triglyceride blood levels. Women have also a lower total cholesterol level. University educated men consume less alcohol, while the reverse is true in university educated women.

[The effect of VUFB diltiazem tablets on the sick sinus and on electrophysiologic parameters of the heart atrium]. / Ucinky diltiazemu VUFB tablety na "sick sinus" a na elektrofyziologické ukazatele srdecních síní.

Using invasive electrophysiological methods, the authors evaluated the preparation Diltiazem VUFB tablets on parametres of sinus automaticity in the "sick sinus syndrome" and on properties of the atria. They confirmed significant inhibition of automaticity which is not signalized by a corresponding decrease of the nodal frequency, and may remain concealed and lead unexpectedly to disorders of the cardiac rhythm. This is not a specific property of the preparation, a similar action on the sick sinus is exerted by all calcium antagonists with clinically confirmed effects on the conduction system. Diltiazem is already produced in this country and sold on the market with the name of Discordin SPOFA tablets.

[Electrophysiologic properties of diltiazem VUFB tablets: effect on atrioventricular conduction]. / Elektrofyziologické vlastnosti diltiazemu VUFB tablety: vliv na atrioventrikulární prevod.

The authors investigated the action of a single oral dose of the recently developed preparation Diltiazem VUFB tabl. on electrophysiological parameters of atrioventricular conduction - the AH, HV interval, Wenkebach's point and the relative, functional and effective refractory period of the atrioventricular node. The preparation affects significantly parameters of the level of the node and its effect is comparable with data on the action of diltiazem produced abroad.