Chlamydia psittaci Screening of Animal Workers from Argentina Exposed to Carrier Birds.

Different syndromes are involved in human psittacosis (flu-like syndrome, atypical pneumonia up to lacrimal gland lymphoma). Diagnostic methods include serology, culture, and PCR. The rate of Chlamydia psittaci (Cp) positive tests among exposed workers is still unknown. Our study aimed to assess the rate of positive tests among workers who have contact with carrier birds in natural reserves from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Secondary aims were to analyze risk factors linked to these outcomes and the occurrence of signs that suggest psittacosis. Nasopharyngeal swabs and serum pairs were collected from employees who had interacted with confirmed carrier birds. Those with detectable DNA of Cp and/or anti-Chlamydia spp. antibody baseline titer ≥ 160 mUI/ml, or at least quadruplicating, were considered positive. Activities performed with or near birds, personal protective equipment use, and previous chronic conditions were assessed. Possible Cp-related pathologies were evaluated during follow-up. A total of 63 exposed workers (71.4% men) with a median age of 35.7 years (IQR 26-39) were evaluated to detect 28.6% positives. Respiratory chronic conditions were the unique factor associated with positive tests (OR 5.2 [1.5-18.5] p < .05). Surprisingly, about a third of the workers resulted positive and all responded to medical treatment, none developing an acute atypical pneumonia syndrome associated with classical presentation of psittacosis. Active testing for early diagnosis and proper treatment in zoological workers exposed to carrier or potentially carrier birds is strongly suggested as part of zoonotic diseases preventive measures.

Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from pediatric population in Argentina for the period 2006-2019. Temporal progression of serotypes distribution and antibiotic resistance.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of severe invasive disease associated with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. A total of 2908 pneumococcal isolates were analyzed between 2006 and 2019. Gold standard pneumococcal serotyping (the Neufeld-Quellung reaction) was performed to identify the serotypes associated with infection in children < 5 years in Argentina and agar dilution method was carried out to determine their profiles to 14 antimicrobial agents. In 2012, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was included in the National Immunization Program. In this work we have analyzed the local epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal diseases before and after the introduction of this vaccine in order to understand the epidemiological relevance and impact of PCV13. During the periods compared in the present study there was a significant increase in the proportion of non-PCV13 serotypes, serogroup 24 (246.7%) and 12F (85.7%), and a significant decrease in PCV13 serotypes, including serotypes 14 (91.2%), 5 (95.6%) and 1 (84.6%) among others. Another observation was that serotypes 3 (7.4%) and 19A (4.9%) still remain among the most frequent serotypes despite being part of the PCV13 formulation. Regarding antimicrobial resistance, in the present study we observed an increase in erythromycin resistance during the period of study mainly associated to serotype 14 in the pre-PCV13 period and to serogroup 24 in the post-PCV13 period, which also was the major NVT serotype associated with antimicrobial resistance and MDR. Serotypes 14, 24A/B/F and 19A were in the first three places among isolates resistant to all the antibiotics tested. Our data highlight the importance of continuous surveillance to assess the impact of pneumococcal vaccines and the use of antibiotics in the dynamic of pneumococcal serotypes.

Global Landscape Review of Serotype-Specific Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Surveillance among Countries Using PCV10/13: The Pneumococcal Serotype Replacement and Distribution Estimation (PSERENADE) Project.

Serotype-specific surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is essential for assessing the impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV10/13). The Pneumococcal Serotype Replacement and Distribution Estimation (PSERENADE) project aimed to evaluate the global evidence to estimate the impact of PCV10/13 by age, product, schedule, and syndrome. Here we systematically characterize and summarize the global landscape of routine serotype-specific IPD surveillance in PCV10/13-using countries and describe the subset that are included in PSERENADE. Of 138 countries using PCV10/13 as of 2018, we identified 109 with IPD surveillance systems, 76 of which met PSERENADE data collection eligibility criteria. PSERENADE received data from most (n = 63, 82.9%), yielding 240,639 post-PCV10/13 introduction IPD cases. Pediatric and adult surveillance was represented from all geographic regions but was limited from lower income and high-burden countries. In PSERENADE, 18 sites evaluated PCV10, 42 PCV13, and 17 both; 17 sites used a 3 + 0 schedule, 38 used 2 + 1, 13 used 3 + 1, and 9 used mixed schedules. With such a sizeable and generally representative dataset, PSERENADE will be able to conduct robust analyses to estimate PCV impact and inform policy at national and global levels regarding adult immunization, schedule, and product choice, including for higher valency PCVs on the horizon.

The classical Bordetella species and MALDI-TOF technology: a brief experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to evaluate and optimize the identification of Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica (usually known as the classical Bordetella species) using Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). METHODOLOGY: A set of 106 previously characterized clinical isolates was used. The results were interpreted according to the manufacturer's recommendations and, in addition, a new score value cutoff was used for species identification. Further, the 10 % rule (previously adopted by other authors) and the new 5 % breaking point (proposed in this work) were evaluated in order to optimize identification rates.Results/Key findings. Our results suggest that it is possible to distinguish different species of the classical Bordetella species by following a simple algorithm without additional testing being required. CONCLUSION: MALDI-TOF might be a reliable tool for the identification of this group of bacteria when a combination of cutoff scores is used. This procedure allows us to increase the identification rates for the classical Bordetella species significantly; however, more studies will be required to determine the applicability of the method to other difficult-to-distinguish organisms.

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci from 8 human cases of psittacosis and 4 related birds in Argentina / Características epidemiológicas y moleculares de Chlamydia psittaci provenientes de 8 casos humanos de psitacosis y de 4 aves relacionadas en la Argentina

In Argentina, the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci infections are still not sufficiently known. A total of 846 respiratory and 10 ocular samples from patients with suspected human psittacosis were tested for C. psittaci from January 2010 to March 2015. Four samples of birds related to these patients were also studied. Forty-eight samples were positive for C. psittaci by a nested PCR. The molecular characterization of twelve C. psittaci PCR-positive samples received in the National Reference Laboratory INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed. Eight positive samples from humans and four from birds were genotyped by ompA gene sequencing. C. psittaci genotype A was found in all human samples and in the related birds. This report contributes to our increasing knowledge of the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of C. psittaci to conduct effective surveillance of its zoonotic infections.

En la Argentina, aún no se conocen suficientemente las características epidemiológicas y moleculares de las infecciones por Chlamydia psittaci. Entre enero del 2010 y marzo del 2015 se estudiaron 846 muestras respiratorias y 10 oculares de pacientes con sospecha de psitacosis para la búsqueda de C. psittaci. También se estudiaron 4 muestras de aves relacionadas con estos pacientes. De ese total, 48 muestras fueron positivas para C. psittaci mediante una reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) anidada. Posteriormente, se realizó en el INEI-ANLIS «Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán¼ la caracterización molecular de 12 muestras positivas para C. psittaci, 8 de humanos y 4 de aves, que fueron genotipificadas por secuenciación del gen ompA. C. psittaci genotipo A se encontró en todas esas muestras. Este informe contribuye a mejorar nuestro conocimiento de las características epidemiológicas y moleculares de C. psittaci para lograr una vigilancia efectiva de la zoonosis que produce.

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci from 8 human cases of psittacosis and 4 related birds in Argentina.

In Argentina, the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci infections are still not sufficiently known. A total of 846 respiratory and 10 ocular samples from patients with suspected human psittacosis were tested for C. psittaci from January 2010 to March 2015. Four samples of birds related to these patients were also studied. Forty-eight samples were positive for C. psittaci by a nested PCR. The molecular characterization of twelve C. psittaci PCR-positive samples received in the National Reference Laboratory INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed. Eight positive samples from humans and four from birds were genotyped by ompA gene sequencing. C. psittaci genotype A was found in all human samples and in the related birds. This report contributes to our increasing knowledge of the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of C. psittaci to conduct effective surveillance of its zoonotic infections.

Incidencia y transmisión de coqueluche en Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Santa Fe y Tucumán: implicancias de las características socio-sanitarias / Incidence and transmission of pertussis in Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Santa Fe and Tucumán: implicancies of social and health characteristics

INTRODUCCION: Pertussis es una enfermedad inmunoprevenible respiratoria que afecta a la población infantil y a los adolescentes/adultos. Para diseñar estrategias que mejoren el control de la enfermedad, resulta esencial profundizar el conocimiento de su epidemiología.OBJETIVO: Estimar la frecuencia de casos de pertussis en 5 provincias argentinas, analizar la implicancia de las características socio-sanitarias de la población e identificar la fuente más probable de contagio.METODOS: Se realizó un trabajo multidisciplinario y multicéntrico empleando algoritmos consensuados. Se estudió a niños menores de 1 año (caso índice, CI) y sus contactos. Para los análisis, se incorporó la información obtenida durante el período a una base de datos ya existente.RESULTADOS: Durante 2006-2011 se analizaron 18.106 muestras de pacientes con sintomatología compatible con pertussis, y se confirmaron 3.766 casos. La mayor proporción de casos confirmados y de casos fatales (8 a 21 por año) se registró en los menores de 1 año. Un análisis de la epidemiología de 113 grupos familiares, constituidos por al menos un CI y dos contactos, determinó que en más del 50% el caso primario no se correspondió al CI. Análisis preliminares mostraron a los convivientes adultos jóvenes como posible fuente de infección de la población vulnerable. En relación con la implicancia de la situación socio-sanitaria en la epidemiología de pertussis, la evolución de los síntomas y la distribución por edades de los casos confirmados mostraron una desigualdad entre los barrios carecientes y los no carecientes.CONCLUSIONES: Se detectó la presencia de más de un caso de pertussis en los grupos familiares. Los adultos jóvenes convivientes serían los responsables de transmitir la infección a los más pequeños. Por la influencia de las condiciones socio-sanitarias en la epidemiología de pertussis, se detectaron patrones diferenciales en la distribución de casos.

INTRODUCTION: Pertussis is an immune preventable resporatory disease affecting the pediatric population and teens/adults. To design better strategies for the disease control, it is essential to improve epidemiological knowledge.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of pertussis cases in 5 Argentine provinces, to analyze the implication of the socio-economic characteristics and to identify the most likely source of infection.METHODS: A multidisciplinary, multicenter study was conducted, using consensus algorithms. The analysis was focused on children under 1 year (index cases, IC) and their contacts. The information obtained was incorporated into a previous database.RESULTS: 18.106 samples of patients with symptoms compatible with pertussis were analyzed during 2006-2011. Of these cases, 3.766 were confirmed in the lab. The largest proportion of confirmed cases and fatal cases (8-21 per year) were registered in children under 1 year. An epidemiologic analysis of 113 family units, consisting in at least one IC and two contacts, found that in over 50% the primary case did not correspond to the IC. A preliminary analysis showed that the young and adult cohabitants were the possible source of infection for vulnerable populations. Regarding the implications of the socio-sanitary conditions in the disease epidemiology, the evolution of symptoms and the age group distribution of confirmed cases were unequeal between poor and non-poor neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS: The study detected the presence of more than one case of pertussis in family units. Young and adult cohabitants would be responsible for transmitting the infection to children. Due to the influence of socio-sanitary conditions in the epidemiology of pertussis, differential patterns were detected in the distribution of cases.

Incidencia y transmisión de coqueluche en Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Santa Fe y Tucumán: implicancias de las características socio-sanitarias / Incidence and transmission of pertussis in Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Santa Fe and Tucumán: implicancies of social and health characteristics

INTRODUCCION: Pertussis es una enfermedad inmunoprevenible respiratoria que afecta a la población infantil y a los adolescentes/adultos. Para diseñar estrategias que mejoren el control de la enfermedad, resulta esencial profundizar el conocimiento de su epidemiología.OBJETIVO: Estimar la frecuencia de casos de pertussis en 5 provincias argentinas, analizar la implicancia de las características socio-sanitarias de la población e identificar la fuente más probable de contagio.METODOS: Se realizó un trabajo multidisciplinario y multicéntrico empleando algoritmos consensuados. Se estudió a niños menores de 1 año (caso índice, CI) y sus contactos. Para los análisis, se incorporó la información obtenida durante el período a una base de datos ya existente.RESULTADOS: Durante 2006-2011 se analizaron 18.106 muestras de pacientes con sintomatología compatible con pertussis, y se confirmaron 3.766 casos. La mayor proporción de casos confirmados y de casos fatales (8 a 21 por año) se registró en los menores de 1 año. Un análisis de la epidemiología de 113 grupos familiares, constituidos por al menos un CI y dos contactos, determinó que en más del 50% el caso primario no se correspondió al CI. Análisis preliminares mostraron a los convivientes adultos jóvenes como posible fuente de infección de la población vulnerable. En relación con la implicancia de la situación socio-sanitaria en la epidemiología de pertussis, la evolución de los síntomas y la distribución por edades de los casos confirmados mostraron una desigualdad entre los barrios carecientes y los no carecientes.CONCLUSIONES: Se detectó la presencia de más de un caso de pertussis en los grupos familiares. Los adultos jóvenes convivientes serían los responsables de transmitir la infección a los más pequeños. Por la influencia de las condiciones socio-sanitarias en la epidemiología de pertussis, se detectaron patrones diferenciales en la distribución de casos.

INTRODUCTION: Pertussis is an immune preventable resporatory disease affecting the pediatric population and teens/adults. To design better strategies for the disease control, it is essential to improve epidemiological knowledge.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of pertussis cases in 5 Argentine provinces, to analyze the implication of the socio-economic characteristics and to identify the most likely source of infection.METHODS: A multidisciplinary, multicenter study was conducted, using consensus algorithms. The analysis was focused on children under 1 year (index cases, IC) and their contacts. The information obtained was incorporated into a previous database.RESULTS: 18.106 samples of patients with symptoms compatible with pertussis were analyzed during 2006-2011. Of these cases, 3.766 were confirmed in the lab. The largest proportion of confirmed cases and fatal cases (8-21 per year) were registered in children under 1 year. An epidemiologic analysis of 113 family units, consisting in at least one IC and two contacts, found that in over 50% the primary case did not correspond to the IC. A preliminary analysis showed that the young and adult cohabitants were the possible source of infection for vulnerable populations. Regarding the implications of the socio-sanitary conditions in the disease epidemiology, the evolution of symptoms and the age group distribution of confirmed cases were unequeal between poor and non-poor neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS: The study detected the presence of more than one case of pertussis in family units. Young and adult cohabitants would be responsible for transmitting the infection to children. Due to the influence of socio-sanitary conditions in the epidemiology of pertussis, differential patterns were detected in the distribution of cases.