Systematical analyses of large-scale transcriptome reveal viral infection-related genes and disease comorbidities.

Perturbation of transcriptome in viral infection patients is a recurrent theme impacting symptoms and mortality, yet a detailed understanding of pertinent transcriptome and identification of robust biomarkers is not complete. In this study, we manually collected 23 datasets related to 6,197 blood transcriptomes across 16 types of respiratory virus infections. We applied a comprehensive systems biology approach starting with whole-blood transcriptomes combined with multilevel bioinformatics analyses to characterize the expression, functional pathways, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to identify robust biomarkers and disease comorbidities. Robust gene markers of infection with different viruses were identified, which can accurately classify the normal and infected patients in train and validation cohorts. The biological processes (BP) of different viruses showed great similarity and enriched in infection and immune response pathways. Network-based analyses revealed that a variety of viral infections were associated with nervous system diseases, neoplasms and metabolic diseases, and significantly correlated with brain tissues. In summary, our manually collected transcriptomes and comprehensive analyses reveal key molecular markers and disease comorbidities in the process of viral infection, which could provide a valuable theoretical basis for the prevention of subsequent public health events for respiratory virus infections.

Epidemiological characterization of viral etiological agents of the central nervous system infections among hospitalized patients in Egypt between 2016 and 2019.

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are common worldwide and result in considerable morbidity and mortality associated with neurologic illness. Until now, there have been no epidemiologic data regarding viruses causing aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and CNS infections in Egypt. We investigated 1735 archived cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from Egyptian patients between 2016 and 2019 and performed molecular characterization for infection for12 different viruses: herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7), human enteroviruses (HEVs), human parechovirus (HPeV), parvovirus B19 (B19V), adenovirus (AdV), and mumps virus (MuV). All included samples were negative for bacterial infection. Our results indicated a relatively high prevalence of viral infection, with HEVs being the most prevalent viruses, followed by HSV-1, EBV, and then HSV-2. The highest prevalence was among male patients, peaking during the summer. Data obtained from this study will contribute to improving the clinical management of viral infections of the CNS in Egypt.

[Analysis of the characteristics of viral infections in children with diarrhea in Beijing from 2018 to 2022].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of viral infections in children with diarrhea in Beijing from 2018 to 2022. Methods: Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect viral nucleic acid of Norovirus (NoV), Sappovirus (SaV), Astrovirus (AstV), Enteric Adenovirus (AdV) or antigen of Rotavirus (RV) in 748 stool samples collected from Beijing Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2018 to December 2021. Subsequently, the reverse transcription PCR or PCR method was used to amplify the target gene of the positive samples after the initial screening, followed by sequencing, genotyping and evolution analysis, so as to obtain the characteristics of these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Mega 6.0. Results: From 2018 to 2021, the overall detection rate of the above five common viruses was 37.6%(281/748)in children under 5 years old in Beijing. NoV, Enteric AdV and RV were still the top three diarrhea-related viruses, followed by AstV and SaV, accounting for 41.6%, 29.2%, 27.8%, 8.9% and 7.5%, respectively. The detection rate of co-infections with two or three diarrhea-related viruses was 4.7% (35/748). From the perspective of annual distribution, the detection rate of Enteric AdV was the highest in 2021, while NoV was predominant in the other 4 years. From the perspective of genetic characteristics, NoV was predominant by GⅡ.4, and after the first detection of GⅡ.4[P16] in 2020, it occupied the first two gene groups together with GⅡ.4[P31]. Although the predominant RV was G9P[8], the rare epidemic strain G8P[8] was first detected in 2021. The predominant genotypes of Enteric AdV and AstV were Ad41 and HAstV-1. SaV was sporadic spread with a low detection rate. Conclusion: Among the diarrhea-related viruses infected children under 5 years of age in Beijing, the predominant strains of NoV and RV have changed and new sub-genotypes have been detected for the first time, while the predominant strains of AstV and Enteric AdV are relatively stable.

Cerebrovascular Disease in COVID-19.

Not in the history of transmissible illnesses has there been an infection as strongly associated with acute cerebrovascular disease as the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. While the risk of stroke has known associations with other viral infections, such as influenza and human immunodeficiency virus, the risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke related to SARS-CoV-2 is unprecedented. Furthermore, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has so profoundly impacted psychosocial behaviors and modern medical care that we have witnessed shifts in epidemiology and have adapted our treatment practices to reduce transmission, address delayed diagnoses, and mitigate gaps in healthcare. In this narrative review, we summarize the history and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cerebrovascular disease, and lessons learned regarding the management of patients as we endure this period of human history.

Viral etiology of acute respiratory tract infection among children under 5 years of age in Kunming City, China: a matched case-case-control study.

AIMS: Nucleic acid-based molecular techniques in current laboratory practice allow the identification of a broad range of respiratory viruses. However, due to asymptomatic carriage, the detection of viruses in the respiratory tract does not necessarily indicate disease. The study aimed to investigate infections of different viruses that colonize the airways, the viral combinations in coinfection, and the viral association with the occurrence of either upper respiratory tract infection (AURTI) or lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in children. METHODS AND RESULTS: A matched case-case-control study included ALRTI cases, AURTI cases, and healthy controls was conducted at Kunming Children's Hospital. Oropharyngeal swabs from the three groups were collected for eight viral pathogens detection by multiplex RT-PCR. The association of each pathogen with disease status was determined by comparing the results between cases and controls. From 1 March 2021 through 28 February 2022, 278 participants in each group were investigated. Viral infection was detected in 54.0%, 37.1%, and 12.2% of the ALRTI cases, AURTI cases, and healthy controls, respectively. Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), and parainfluenza virus-3 (PIV-3) were the most frequently documented viruses. RSV/ADV was the most frequent combination detected in coinfection. When compared to healthy controls, RSV and PIV-3 were independently associated with both ALRTI and AURTI. CONCLUSIONS: RSV and PIV-3 were causes of both ALRTI and AURTI cases. These results provide initial evidence of the potential of microbiota-based diagnostics for the differential diagnosis of severe acute respiratory infections using oropharyngeal swab samples.

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viral diseases in Southeast Asia: One Health challenge.

The ongoing significant social, environmental, and economic changes in Southeast Asia (SEA) make the region highly vulnerable to the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic viral diseases. In the last century, SEA has faced major viral outbreaks with great health and economic impact, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), arboviruses, highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV); and so far, imported cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Given the recent challenging experiences in addressing emerging zoonotic diseases, it is necessary to redouble efforts to effectively implement the "One Health" initiative in the region, which aims to strengthen the human-animal-plant-environment interface to better prevent, detect and respond to health threats while promoting sustainable development. This review provides an overview of important emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viral diseases in SEA, with emphasis on the main drivers behind their emergency, the epidemiological situation from January 2000 to October 2022, and the importance of One Health to promote improved intervention strategies.

[Viral zoonoses in Germany: a One Health perspective]. / Virale Zoonosen in Deutschland aus der One Health-Perspektive.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing occurrence of monkeypox (mpox) diseases outside Africa have illustrated the vulnerability of populations to zoonotic pathogens. In addition, other viral zoonotic pathogens have gained importance in recent years.This review article addresses six notifiable viral zoonotic pathogens as examples to highlight the need for the One Health approach in order to understand the epidemiology of the diseases and to derive recommendations for action by the public health service. The importance of environmental factors, reservoirs, and vectors is emphasized, the diseases in livestock and wildlife are analyzed, and the occurrence and frequency of diseases in the population are described. The pathogens selected here differ in their reservoirs and the role of vectors for transmission, the impact of infections on farm animals, and the disease patterns observed in humans. In addition to zoonotic pathogens that have been known in Germany for a long time or were introduced recently, pathogens whose zoonotic potential has only lately been shown are also considered.For the pathogens discussed here, there are still large knowledge gaps regarding the transmission routes. Future One Health-based studies must contribute to the further elucidation of their transmission routes and the development of prevention measures. The holistic approach does not necessarily include a focus on viral pathogens/diseases, but also includes the question of the interaction of viral, bacterial, and other pathogens, including antibiotic resistance and host microbiomes.

Viral Infections and Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease affecting preterm infants. Studies implicate viral infections in etiopathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the association of viral infections with NEC by systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: We searched Ovid-Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases in November 2022. STUDY SELECTION: We included observational studies that examined the association between viral infections and NEC in newborn infants. DATA EXTRACTION: We extracted data regarding the methodology, participant characteristics, and outcome measures. RESULTS: We included 29 and 24 studies in the qualitative review and meta-analysis, respectively. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between viral infections and NEC (odds ratio [OR], 3.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.99-7.30, 24 studies). The association remained significant after excluding the outliers (OR, 2.89 [1.56-5.36], 22 studies) and studies with poor methodology (OR, 3.33 [1.73-6.43], 22 studies). In subgroup analysis based on participants' birth weight, studies including very low birth weight infants only (OR, 3.62 [1.63-8.03], 8 studies) and non-very low birth weight infants only (OR, 5.28 [1.69-16.54], 6 studies) showed a significant association. In subgroup analysis based on specific viruses, infection with rotavirus (OR, 3.96 [1.12-13.95], 10 studies), cytomegalovirus (OR, 3.50 [1.60-7.65], 5 studies), norovirus (OR, 11.95 [2.05-69.84], 2 studies), and astrovirus (OR, 6.32 [2.49-16.02], 2 studies) was significantly associated with NEC. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity of the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Viral infection is associated with an increased risk of NEC in newborn infants. We need methodologically sound prospective studies to assess the effect of preventing or treating viral infections on NEC incidence.

Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on circulating respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) applied to limit the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic also affect the circulation and seasonal characteristics of other respiratory viruses. OBJECTIVES: Assess the impact of NPIs on the spread and seasonal characteristics of non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and examine viral respiratory co-infections. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort SETTING: Single center in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Syndromic multiplex viral polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) panel results of patients admitted to the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection between April 1, 2020 and October 30, 2022 were evaluated. Two study periods before and after 1 July 2021, when the restrictions were discontinued, were statistically analyzed and compared to determine the effect of NPIs on circulating respiratory viruses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of respiratory viruses as determined by syndromic mPCR panel. SAMPLE SIZE: 11300 patient samples were evaluated. RESULTS: At least one respiratory tract virus was detected in 6250 (55.3%) patients. Of these, at least one respiratory virus was detected in 5% in the first period (between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, when NPIs were applied), and in 95% in the second period (between July 1, 2021 and October 30, 2022, when NPIs were relaxed). After the removal of NPIs, there was a statistically significant increase in hRV/EV, RSV-A/B, Flu A/H3, hBoV, hMPV, PIV-1, PIV-4, hCoV-OC43, PIV-2 and hCoV-NL63 (P<.05). In the 2020-2021 season, when strict NPIs were applied, all respiratory viruses evaluated did not have the usual seasonal peak and there were no seasonal influenza epidemics during this period. CONCLUSIONS: NPIs resulted in a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of respiratory viruses and notable disruption of seasonal characteristics. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study and retrospective. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Change from low to out-of-season epidemics of influenza in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A time series study.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions to limit the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might reduce the transmission of influenza viruses and disrupt the typical seasonality of influenza. However, changes in epidemiology and seasonal patterns of influenza remain unknown in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on influenza-like illness (ILI) and influenza cases between surveillance Week 14 in 2010 and Week 6 in 2023 and ILI outbreaks between Week 14 in 2013 and Week 6 in 2023 were collected from the weekly reports of the Chinese National Influenza Center. A total of 32 10 735 ILI specimens were tested between Week 14 in 2010 and Week 6 in 2023 in China, with 12.4% of specimens positive for influenza. The influenza-positive percentage ranged from 11.8% to 21.1% in southern China and 9.5% to 19.5% in northern China between the 2010/2011 and 2019/2020 influenza seasons. The influenza-positive percentage was 0.7% in southern China and 0.2% in northern China in the 2020/2021 season. An increasing trend in influenza-positive percentage was observed in southern China in Weeks 18-27 in the 2022/2023 season, with a peak of 37.3%. A total of 768 ILI outbreaks reported in southern China in Weeks 14-26 in the 2022/2023 season were much more than those in the same period in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons. In summary, seasonal influenza shifted from low to out-of-season epidemics during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, especially in southern China. Influenza vaccination and everyday preventive actions, such as mask wearing, appropriate air exchange, and good hand hygiene practices, are essential for the prevention of influenza virus infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virological profile of upper respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age- a cross sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in North India.

OBJECTIVE: To study the virological profile of URI among children under 5 years of age. Since, it is very difficult to distinguish between various viral etiologies solely on the basis of symptoms, this study was attempted to generate evidence that majority of URI are caused due to viral illness and no antibiotics should be prescribed in the management of the same. METHODS: This observational study was conducted over a period of one year (June 2021-May 2022) in a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi. A total of 180 children between the age of 0-5 years with symptoms of URI were included. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken and processed for detection of viruses using multiplex RT PCR. RESULTS: Presence of viruses were detected in 136 (75.6%) samples. A single virus was identified in 113 samples, whereas 21 were found to harbour two viruses and 2 were carrying three viruses. The most common virus isolated was Human Rhinovirus (HRV- 55.8%) followed by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV- 23.5%). In samples showing coinfection with two viruses, most common was Human Corona Virus (HCoV)- NL63, 229E, OC43, HKU1. None of the patients were given antibiotics. None of the patients required any hospital admission for severe respiratory illness. CONCLUSIONS: Viruses are a major cause of URI in children under five years of age, with the most prevalent organisms being HRV and RSV. Antibiotic prescriptions in URI are not warranted.

Concomitant virus-induced gastrointestinal infection in dogs.

Many viruses are involved in concomitant infections, which are prevalent in nature. In mixed infections, one or both infectious agents may be increased, reduced, or both may be increased while the other is suppressed. Canine distemper virus (CDV) and Canine parvovirus- 2 (CPV-2) are important causes of gastroenteritis in dogs. Detection of these viruses is challenging since the symptoms are very similar. CDV is a member of the morbillivirus genus in the Paramyxoviridae family, and CPV-2 is a member of the Protoparvovirus genus in the Parvoviridae family; and both predominantly affect puppies and induce gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the differential diagnosis of dogs with gastrointestinal symptoms. A PCR technique with specific primers was used to identify CDV and CPV-2 infections in gastroenteric dogs, and clinical changes in the infected dogs were monitored. The VP2 structural gene of CPV and the nucleocapsid gene of CDV were partially amplified in the study. PCR amplified the partial fragments of the CDV nucleocapsid (287 bp) and CPV-2 VP2 proteins (583 bp) from feces. In total, 3 out of 36 stool samples were positive for CDV and CPV-2 in the same dogs. Gasterointestinal symptoms also supported the diagnosis of concomitant infection with CDV and CPV-2 in these dogs. Dehydration and diarrhea in dogs can be signs of various diseases, such as viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. After the elimination of non-viral pathogens, CDV and CPV-2 should also be simultaneously investigated to establish what is causing these symptoms. This study demonstrates the potential utility of correct diagnosis for the control of viral infection in dogs, but more research with a broader use of PCR-based detections is needed to assess its impact on differential diagnosis for concomitant infections.

Smart Thermometer-Based Participatory Surveillance to Discern the Role of Children in Household Viral Transmission During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Children's role in spreading virus during the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be elucidated, and measuring household transmission traditionally requires contact tracing. Objective: To discern children's role in household viral transmission during the pandemic when enveloped viruses were at historic lows and the predominance of viral illnesses were attributed to COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study of a voluntary US cohort tracked data from participatory surveillance using commercially available thermometers with a companion smartphone app from October 2019 to October 2022. Eligible participants were individuals with temperature measurements in households with multiple members between October 2019 and October 2022 who opted into data sharing. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of household transmissions with a pediatric index case and changes in transmissions during school breaks were assessed using app and thermometer data. Results: A total of 862 577 individuals from 320 073 households with multiple participants (462 000 female [53.6%] and 463 368 adults [53.7%]) were included. The number of febrile episodes forecast new COVID-19 cases. Within-household transmission was inferred in 54 506 (15.4%) febrile episodes and increased from the fourth pandemic period, March to July 2021 (3263 of 32 294 [10.1%]) to the Omicron BA.1/BA.2 wave (16 516 of 94 316 [17.5%]; P < .001). Among 38 787 transmissions in 166 170 households with adults and children, a median (IQR) 70.4% (61.4%-77.6%) had a pediatric index case; proportions fluctuated weekly from 36.9% to 84.6%. A pediatric index case was 0.6 to 0.8 times less frequent during typical school breaks. The winter break decrease was from 68.4% (95% CI, 57.1%-77.8%) to 41.7% (95% CI, 34.3%-49.5%) at the end of 2020 (P < .001). At the beginning of 2022, it dropped from 80.3% (95% CI, 75.1%-84.6%) to 54.5% (95% CI, 51.3%-57.7%) (P < .001). During summer breaks, rates dropped from 81.4% (95% CI, 74.0%-87.1%) to 62.5% (95% CI, 56.3%-68.3%) by August 2021 (P = .02) and from 83.8% (95% CI, 79.2%-87.5) to 62.8% (95% CI, 57.1%-68.1%) by July 2022 (P < .001). These patterns persisted over 2 school years. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study using participatory surveillance to measure within-household transmission at a national scale, we discerned an important role for children in the spread of viral infection within households during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened when schools were in session, supporting a role for school attendance in COVID-19 spread.

Viral infections at the animal-human interface-Learning lessons from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

This Lilliput explores the current epidemiological and virological arguments for a zoonotic origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the role of bats, pangolins and racoon dogs as viral reservoirs has not yet been proven, a spill-over of a coronavirus infection from animals into humans at the Huanan food market in Wuhan has a much greater plausibility than alternative hypotheses such as a laboratory virus escape, deliberate genetic engineering or introduction by cold chain food products. This Lilliput highlights the dynamic nature of the animal-human interface for viral cross-infections from humans into feral white tail deer or farmed minks (reverse zoonosis). Surveillance of viral infections at the animal-human interface is an urgent task since live animal markets are not the only risks for future viral spill-overs. Climate change will induce animal migration which leads to viral exchanges between animal species that have not met in the past. Environmental change and deforestation will also increase contact between animals and humans. Developing an early warning system for emerging viral infections becomes thus a societal necessity not only for human but also for animal and environmental health (One Health concept). Microbiologists have developed tools ranging from virome analysis in key suspects such as viral reservoirs (bats, wild game animals, bushmeat) and in humans exposed to wild animals, to wastewater analysis to detect known and unknown viruses circulating in the human population and sentinel studies in animal-exposed patients with fever. Criteria need to be developed to assess the virulence and transmissibility of zoonotic viruses. An early virus warning system is costly and will need political lobbying. The accelerating number of viral infections with pandemic potential over the last decades should provide the public pressure to extend pandemic preparedness for the inclusion of early viral alert systems.

Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea Are Common in Community-Acquired Acute Viral Respiratory Illness.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are recognized sequelae of acute respiratory illness (ARI), but their prevalence is not well documented. Our study aim was to assess the incidence of GI symptoms in community ARI cases for persons of all ages and their association with clinical outcomes. METHODS: We collected mid-nasal swabs, clinical, and symptom data from Seattle-area individuals during the 2018-2019 winter season as part of a large-scale prospective community surveillance study. Swabs were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 26 respiratory pathogens. Likelihood of GI symptoms given demographic, clinical, and microbiological covariates were analyzed with Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon-rank-sum, and t-tests and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In 3183 ARI episodes, 29.4% had GI symptoms (n = 937). GI symptoms were significantly associated with pathogen detection, illness interfering with daily life, seeking care for the illness, and greater symptom burden (all p < 0.05). Controlling for age, > 3 symptoms, and month, influenza (p < 0.001), human metapneumovirus (p = 0.004), and enterovirus D68 (p = 0.05) were significantly more likely to be associated with GI symptoms than episodes with no pathogen detected. Seasonal coronaviruses (p = 0.005) and rhinovirus (p = 0.04) were significantly less likely to be associated with GI symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this community-surveillance study of ARI, GI symptoms were common and associated with illness severity and respiratory pathogen detection. GI symptoms did not track with known GI tropism, suggesting GI symptoms may be nonspecific rather than pathogen-mediated. Patients presenting with GI and respiratory symptoms should have respiratory virus testing, even if the respiratory symptom is not the primary concern.

Epidemiology of Respiratory Infections during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To face the COVID-19 outbreak, a wide range of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in communities, such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, social distancing, travel restrictions, and school closures, were introduced in most countries. Thereafter, a significant reduction of new asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 cases occurred, although there were differences between countries according to the type and duration of the NPIs. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by significant variations in the global incidence of diseases due to the most common non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and some bacteria. In this narrative review, the epidemiology of the most common non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections during the COVID-19 pandemic is detailed. Moreover, factors that could have had a role in modifying the traditional circulation of respiratory pathogens are discussed. A literature analysis shows that NPIs were the most important cause of the general reduction in the incidence of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in the first year of the pandemic, although the different sensitivity of each virus to NPIs, the type and duration of measures used, as well as the interference among viruses may have played a role in modulating viral circulation. Reasons for the increase in the incidences of Streptococcus pneumoniae and group A Streptococcus infections seem strictly linked to immunity debt and the role played by NPIs in reducing viral infections and limiting bacterial superimposed infections. These results highlight the importance of NPIs during pandemics, the need to monitor the circulation of infectious agents that cause diseases similar to those caused by pandemic agents, and the need to make efforts to improve coverage with available vaccines.

[Parvovirus infections in cats in animal shelters]. / Parvovirus-Infektionen bei Katzen in Tierheimen.

Due to widespread vaccination programs against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), the disease associated with this virus infection, feline panleukopenia, is rarely seen in privately owned cats in Germany. In contrast, the situation in animal shelters differs due to the constant intake of new cats that are often unprotected. In such facilities, panleukopenia outbreaks are common and often accompanied by a high number of fatalities. Due to the high contagiosity of the virus, some shelters do not accept cats with clinical signs suspicious for panleukopenia, since these animals can pose a risk to the shelter population. However, not only cats with panleukopenia shed parvovirus, but also healthy, asymptomatic cats can and thus contribute to risk of infection. Nevertheless, the risk for panleukopenia outbreaks in animal shelters can be reduced by rigorous outbreak management. This includes hygiene measures using correctly applied cleaning and disinfection protocols, quarantine measures, separate isolation units, as well as specific prophylactic measures, such as identification of infected animals and immunization of susceptible groups.

A Comparative Study of Acute Gastroenteritis Symptoms in Single- versus Multiple-Virus Infections.

Many different enteric viruses can cause acute gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. While a single virus can indeed cause disease, multiple-virus infections are commonly reported. However, data regarding a comparison between single- and multiple-virus infections upon clinical manifestations of acute gastroenteritis are relatively limited. In this study, a total of 2383 fecal specimens were collected from children with acute gastroenteritis during June 2014-July 2017 in a pediatric clinic in Japan and tested for 11 viruses by multiplex RT-PCR. At least 1 virus was found in 1706 (71.6%) specimens and norovirus GII was the most frequent agent, followed by rotavirus A and other viruses. Multiple-virus infections were identified in 565 cases (33.1%). While major clinical symptoms were found to be significantly different in some single- vs. multiple-virus infections, the disease severity was statistically non-significant. Our study highlights the burden of multiple-virus infections for acute gastroenteritis and the clinical features of patients with multiple-virus infections.