Eurosurveillance最新文献

BACKGROUNDThe Meningitis and Encephalitis Registry in Lower Saxony (MERIN), introduced in 2003, monitors circulating neurotropic pathogens in Lower Saxony and Bremen and offers free laboratory diagnostics for patients hospitalised with aseptic meningitis, encephalitis and polio-like symptoms.AIMWe aimed to present set-up and operation of MERIN in detail and provide results of the collected data.METHODSData (work-flow, demographics, sample materials, detected pathogens including non-polio enterovirus (NPEV) genotypes), collected between 2003 and 2023 were extracted from the MERIN database and presented descriptively. Seasonal patterns of detected pathogens were analysed using a Poisson regression model.RESULTSDuring 21 years of MERIN's operation, 34,688 samples from 13,813 patients were analysed, 54.6% (7,548/13,813) of which were male. The majority of patients were children, with 58.8% (8,127/13,813) under the age of 10 years. Twenty different pathogens were identified; NPEV infections constituted 56.9% (2,372/4,172) of all diagnoses and were found in 17.2% of patients (2,372/13,813). Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, adenovirus and varicella-zoster virus were identified in 7.3% (1,004/13,813), 2.1% (286/13,813) and 1.4% (190/13,813) of patients, respectively. Most frequently occurring NPEV genotypes were echovirus 30 (n = 437), echovirus 6 (n = 223) and coxsackie B virus (n = 103). Polioviruses were not detected. Increased numbers of patients and detected pathogens during summer months resulted in seasonal peaks.CONCLUSIONMERIN elucidates the spectrum of circulating pathogens, mostly NPEV, causing symptoms of aseptic meningitis, encephalitis and polio-like symptoms and demonstrates seasonal occurrence of pathogens. MERIN contributes to the German national enterovirus surveillance and documents the polio-free status of Lower-Saxony and Bremen.

The European 2025/26 influenza season is dominated by the influenza A(H3N2) virus, with most sequenced viruses belonging to subclade K, genetically drifted from the vaccine virus, raising concerns around vaccine effectiveness (VE). Despite this, VE estimates from nine European studies (19 countries) indicate all-age influenza A VE of 25-45% for outpatient and hospital settings combined, similar to other seasons, with highest estimates among children (47-72%). Vaccination should be encouraged and complemented by other infection prevention and control measures.

In October-November 2025, eight autochthonous cases of monkeypox (MPXV) clade Ib virus infection were reported in the Netherlands. All cases were men who have sex with men aged 25-65; none required hospital admission or antiviral treatment. Phylogenetic analysis combined with contact tracing suggest multiple introductions or cryptic circulation with onwards transmission within the community. Highly related international sequences were identified dating back to August 2025, indicating sustained global community transmission of clade Ib outside the African continent.

In August 2025, West Nile virus (WNV) was detected for the first time in Belgium through a monitoring programme in wild birds, with three corvids testing positive by RT-qPCR. In September and October, four additional infected birds were identified. Whole genome sequencing classified the strain as WNV lineage 2, consistent with strains circulating elsewhere in Europe. These detections provide evidence of local WNV circulation with important implications for animal and public health preparedness and surveillance during the 2026 mosquito season.

BACKGROUNDWest Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) outbreaks in Europe pose growing public health concerns. In Austria, human WNV and USUV infections occur nearly every year since 2009 with notable case number variations.AIMWe analysed annual incidences and spatiotemporal distributions of human WNV and USUV infections in Austria in 2009-2024.METHODSAnnual incidence rates of laboratory-confirmed WNV and USUV cases recorded through the national surveillance were calculated, stratified by age, sex, clinical presentation, exposure place and virus sequence.RESULTSDuring 2009-2024, recorded case numbers were highest in 2024, with 37 WNV (19 male/18 female; median age: 62 years, range: 18-88) and 27 USUV infections (18 male/9 female; median age: 59 years, range: 20-69). Nineteen WNV cases developed West Nile neuroinvasive disease, while no USUV cases had neurological disease. Thirty-four of the WNV cases and all USUV cases were locally acquired. In northern Burgenland, an eastern Austrian region with an avian hotspot and only sporadic cases previously reported, WNV and USUV incidences respectively rose from averages of 0.6 and 1.0 per 100,000 in previous years to 6.6 and 4.2 per 100,000 in 2024. All 25 sequences analysed in 2024 from locally acquired WNV cases were of lineage 2. Among 15 USUV sequences, 14 belonged to the Europe-2 and one to the Africa-3 clade.CONCLUSIONHuman WNV and USUV infection increases in a previously low-incidence region underscore their increasing public health impact in Austria. Strengthening surveillance and response measures is essential for early detection, guiding prevention efforts, and ensuring blood donor safety.

BACKGROUNDDual penicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis causing invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have recently emerged in association with sequence type (ST) 3587, harbouring ROB-1 β-lactamase (bla _ROB-1) and a mutated DNA gyrase (gyrA). These strains pose a threat to current antimicrobial treatment and prophylaxis.AIMWe aimed to characterise the first dual-resistant N. meningitidis ST-3587 isolates harbouring bla _ROB-1 and a mutated gyrA identified in Spain.METHODSThree N. meningitidis isolates encoding bla _ROB-1 were identified in 2024. They were characterised by whole genome sequencing to determine capsular genogroups, ST and genetic antimicrobial resistance markers. Dated phylogenetic analysis was performed alongside global ST-3587 strains.RESULTSThe three bla _ROB-1-encoding isolates belonged to ST-3587, genogroup Y, harboured a T91I mutation in gyrA and showed resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin. These isolates were obtained from urethral, oropharyngeal and blood samples, each from a different patient. According to the dated phylogenetic analysis of ST-3587 and the presence of bla _ROB-1, two clades were defined: clade I and clade II. Within clade II, subclade II.I was identified, comprising isolates which, in addition to bla _ROB-1, carried the T91I mutation in gyrA. This subclade included the three Spanish isolates, which exhibited close genetic relatedness.CONCLUSIONThis study documents the emergence of N. meningitidis ST-3587 with dual resistance in Europe, including a documented urogenital infection by this lineage. Continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in N. meningitidis, including non-invasive cases, is crucial for timely public health responses and effective IMD prevention strategies.

In November 2023, the UK Health Security Agency was notified of PCR-confirmed group B (MenB) invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in a 3-year-old child (Case A), followed by probable IMD in a 2-year-old (Case B, culture and PCR tests negative) attending the same nursery. An incident management team (IMT) was convened. Both children were fully vaccinated with the MenB vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero, GSK Biologicals). All 39 children attending the nursery and nine staff received ciprofloxacin chemoprophylaxis preceded by pharyngeal swabbing. Pharyngeal swabbing yielded two MenB isolates matching Case A. Antibiotic sensitivity testing and assessment of 4CMenB vaccine coverage using the meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) revealed the strain was not covered by the 4CMenB vaccine. Although the alternative MenB vaccine, MenB-fHbp (Trumenba, Pfizer), is only licensed from 10 years and has never been given to children previously immunised with 4CMenB, the IMT considered the benefits of outbreak control outweighed potential risks. Two doses were given 4 weeks apart to 38 children (one family declined) and all staff; there were no serious adverse events. Our findings highlight the utility of swabbing to identify outbreak strains and provide first evidence for safe use of the MenB-fHbp vaccine in children previously vaccinated with 4CMenB.