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Funk T, Innocenti F, Gomes Dias J, Nerlander L, Melillo T, Gauci C, Melillo JM, Lenz P, Sebestova H, Slezak P, Vlckova I, Berild JD, Mauroy C, Seppälä E, Tønnessen R, Vergison A, Mossong J, Masi S, Huiart L, Cullen G, Murphy N, O'Connor L, O'Donnell J, Mook P, Pebody RG, Bundle N. Age-specific associations between underlying health conditions and hospitalisation, death and in-hospital death among confirmed COVID-19 cases: a multi-country study based on surveillance data, June to December 2020. Euro Surveill 2022; 27. [PMID: 36052721 PMCID: PMC9438397 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.35.2100883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Underlying conditions are risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes but evidence is limited about how risks differ with age. Aim We sought to estimate age-specific associations between underlying conditions and hospitalisation, death and in-hospital death among COVID-19 cases. Methods We analysed case-based COVID-19 data submitted to The European Surveillance System between 2 June and 13 December 2020 by nine European countries. Eleven underlying conditions among cases with only one condition and the number of underlying conditions among multimorbid cases were used as exposures. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using 39 different age-adjusted and age-interaction multivariable logistic regression models, with marginal means from the latter used to estimate probabilities of severe outcome for each condition–age group combination. Results Cancer, cardiac disorder, diabetes, immunodeficiency, kidney, liver and lung disease, neurological disorders and obesity were associated with elevated risk (aOR: 1.5–5.6) of hospitalisation and death, after controlling for age, sex, reporting period and country. As age increased, age-specific aOR were lower and predicted probabilities higher. However, for some conditions, predicted probabilities were at least as high in younger individuals with the condition as in older cases without it. In multimorbid patients, the aOR for severe disease increased with number of conditions for all outcomes and in all age groups. Conclusion While supporting age-based vaccine roll-out, our findings could inform a more nuanced, age- and condition-specific approach to vaccine prioritisation. This is relevant as countries consider vaccination of younger people, boosters and dosing intervals in response to vaccine escape variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjede Funk
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Innocenti
- Epidemiology Unit, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Florence, Italy.,European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joana Gomes Dias
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lina Nerlander
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tanya Melillo
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Superintendence of Public Health, Gwardamanġa, Malta
| | | | - Jackie M Melillo
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Superintendence of Public Health, Gwardamanġa, Malta
| | - Patrik Lenz
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Helena Sebestova
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Slezak
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Iva Vlckova
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jacob Dag Berild
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camilla Mauroy
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elina Seppälä
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Tønnessen
- European Public Health Microbiology Training Programme (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | - Gillian Cullen
- HSE - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh Murphy
- HSE - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lois O'Connor
- HSE - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joan O'Donnell
- HSE - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Piers Mook
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Richard G Pebody
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nick Bundle
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
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Tønnessen R, García I, Debech N, Lindstrøm JC, Wester AL, Skaare D. Molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance profiles of invasive Haemophilus influenzae from Norway 2017–2021. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:973257. [PMID: 36106084 PMCID: PMC9467436 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.973257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) disease has decreased in countries that included Hi type b (Hib) vaccination in their childhood immunization programs in the 1990s. Non-typeable (NT) and non-b strains are now the leading causes of invasive Hi disease in Europe, with most cases reported in young children and the elderly. Concerningly, no vaccines toward such strains are available and beta-lactam resistance is increasing. We describe the epidemiology of invasive Hi disease reported to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS) (2017–2021, n = 407). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 245 isolates. We investigated the molecular epidemiology (core genome phylogeny) and the presence of antibiotic resistance markers (including chromosomal mutations associated with beta-lactam or quinolone resistance). For isolates characterized with both WGS and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) (n = 113) we assessed correlation between resistance markers and susceptibility categorization by calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Incidence rates of invasive Hi disease in Norway ranged from 0.7 to 2.3 per 100,000 inhabitants/year (mean 1.5 per 100,000) and declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bacterial population consisted of two major phylogenetic groups with subclustering by serotype and multi-locus sequence type (ST). NTHi accounted for 71.8% (176). The distribution of STs was in line with previous European reports. We identified 13 clusters, including four encapsulated and three previously described international NTHi clones with blaTEM–1 (ST103) or altered PBP3 (rPBP3) (ST14/IIA and ST367/IIA). Resistance markers were detected in 25.3% (62/245) of the isolates, with blaTEM–1 (31, 50.0%) and rPBP3 (28, 45.2%) being the most frequent. All isolates categorized as resistant to aminopenicillins, tetracycline or chloramphenicol possessed relevant resistance markers, and the absence of relevant substitutions in PBP3 and GyrA/ParC predicted susceptibility to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, meropenem and quinolones. Among the 132 WGS-only isolates, one isolate had PBP3 substitutions associated with resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, and one isolate had GyrA/ParC alterations associated with quinolone resistance. The detection of international virulent and resistant NTHi clones underlines the need for a global molecular surveillance system. WGS is a useful supplement to AST and should be performed on all invasive isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Tønnessen
- Department of Infection Control and Vaccines, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- European Public Health Microbiology Training Program (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Ragnhild Tønnessen,
| | - Ignacio García
- Department of Bacteriology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nadia Debech
- Department of Bacteriology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Dagfinn Skaare
- Department of Microbiology, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
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Whittaker R, Grøsland M, Buanes EA, Beitland S, Bryhn B, Helgeland J, Sjøflot OI, Berild JD, Seppälä E, Tønnessen R, Telle K. Correction: Hospitalisations for COVID-19 - a comparison of different data sources. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2021; 141:21-0785. [PMID: 34911280 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.21.0785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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4
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Seppälä E, Tønnessen R, Veneti L, Paulsen TH, Steens A, Whittaker R, Bragstad K, Berild JD, Løvlie AL, Naseer U, MacDonald E, Vold L. COVID-19 cases reported to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in the first six weeks of the epidemic. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2020; 140:20-0525. [PMID: 33322882 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.20.0525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Norway was confirmed on 26 February 2020. Following sharpened advice on general infection control measures at the beginning of the outbreak, extensive national control measures were implemented on 12 March, and testing was focused on those with severe illness. We describe the first six weeks of the outbreak in Norway, viewed in light of testing criteria and control measures. MATERIAL AND METHOD We described all laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to three different surveillance systems under the Norwegian Institute of Public Health up to 5 April 2020, and compared cases reported up to 12 March with those reported from 13 March. RESULTS By 12 March, 1 128 cases had been reported. Their median age was 47 years, 64 % were male, 66 % had travelled abroad, 6 % were hospitalised at the time of reporting, and < 1 % had died. The median age of the 4 742 cases reported from 13 March was 48 years, 47 % were male, 18 % had travelled abroad, 15 % were hospitalised, and 3 % died. INTERPETATION The distribution of COVID-19 cases before and after 12 March reflects different phases of the outbreak. However, findings must be interpreted in the light of criteria for testing, testing activity, control measures and characteristics of surveillance systems.
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Whittaker R, Grøsland M, Buanes EA, Beitland S, Bryhn B, Helgeland J, Sjøflot OI, Berild JD, Seppälä E, Tønnessen R, Telle K. Hospitalisations for COVID-19 - a comparison of different data sources. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2020; 140:20-0759. [PMID: 33322870 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.20.0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Three different data sources exist for monitoring COVID-19-associated hospitalisations in Norway: The Directorate of Health, the Norwegian Intensive Care and Pandemic Registry (NIPaR), and the linking of the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) and the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS). A comparison of results from different data sources is important to increase understanding of the data and to further optimise current and future surveillance. We compared results from the three data sources from March to June 2020. MATERIAL AND METHOD We analysed the number of new admissions, as well as the total number of hospitalised patients and those on ventilatory support, reported per day and by regional health authority. The analysis was descriptive. RESULTS The cumulative number of new admissions according to NPR-MSIS (n=1260) was higher than NIPaR (n=1153). The discrepancy was high early in the epidemic (93 as of 29 March). The trend in the number of hospitalised patients was similar for all three sources throughout the study period. NPR-MSIS overestimated the number of hospitalised patients on ventilatory support. INTERPRETATION The discrepancy in new admissions between NIPaR and NPR-MSIS is primarily due to missing registrations for some patients admitted before NIPaR became operational. Basic information retrieved daily by the Directorate of Health give comparable results to more comprehensive daily information retrieval undertaken in NIPaR and NPR-MSIS, adjusted retrospectively. Further analysis is necessary regarding whether NIPaR and NPR-MSIS provide timely data and function as required in an emergency preparedness situation.
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6
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Vestergaard LS, Nielsen J, Richter L, Schmid D, Bustos N, Braeye T, Denissov G, Veideman T, Luomala O, Möttönen T, Fouillet A, Caserio-Schönemann C, An der Heiden M, Uphoff H, Lytras T, Gkolfinopoulou K, Paldy A, Domegan L, O'Donnell J, De' Donato F, Noccioli F, Hoffmann P, Velez T, England K, van Asten L, White RA, Tønnessen R, da Silva SP, Rodrigues AP, Larrauri A, Delgado-Sanz C, Farah A, Galanis I, Junker C, Perisa D, Sinnathamby M, Andrews N, O'Doherty M, Marquess DF, Kennedy S, Olsen SJ, Pebody R, Krause TG, Mølbak K. Excess all-cause mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe - preliminary pooled estimates from the EuroMOMO network, March to April 2020. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25. [PMID: 32643601 PMCID: PMC7346364 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.26.2001214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
A remarkable excess mortality has coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. We present preliminary pooled estimates of all-cause mortality for 24 European countries/federal states participating in the European monitoring of excess mortality for public health action (EuroMOMO) network, for the period March–April 2020. Excess mortality particularly affected ≥ 65 year olds (91% of all excess deaths), but also 45–64 (8%) and 15–44 year olds (1%). No excess mortality was observed in 0–14 year olds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lukas Richter
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Schmid
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Gleb Denissov
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Oskari Luomala
- Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Möttönen
- Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Fouillet
- French Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France), Saint-Maurice, France
| | | | | | - Helmut Uphoff
- Hessisches Landesprüfungs- und Untersuchungsamt im Gesundheitswesen, Dillenburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Anna Paldy
- National Public Health Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lisa Domegan
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden.,Health Service Executive - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joan O'Donnell
- Health Service Executive - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Patrick Hoffmann
- Health Directorate Luxembourg - Division de l'inspection sanitaire, Luxembourg
| | - Telma Velez
- Health Directorate Luxembourg - Division de l'inspection sanitaire, Luxembourg
| | - Kathleen England
- Directorate for Health Information and Research, Ministry for Health, Malta
| | - Liselotte van Asten
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Ana P Rodrigues
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Amparo Larrauri
- National Centre of Epidemiology, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Concepción Delgado-Sanz
- National Centre of Epidemiology, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ahmed Farah
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Damir Perisa
- Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Nick Andrews
- Public Health England, Colindale, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Sonja J Olsen
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Richard Pebody
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | -
- The members of the ECDC Public Health Emergency Team for COVID-19 are listed below
| | | | - Kåre Mølbak
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Vestergaard LS, Nielsen J, Krause TG, Espenhain L, Tersago K, Bustos Sierra N, Denissov G, Innos K, Virtanen MJ, Fouillet A, Lytras T, Paldy A, Bobvos J, Domegan L, O'Donnell J, Scortichini M, de Martino A, England K, Calleja N, van Asten L, Teirlinck AC, Tønnessen R, White RA, P Silva S, Rodrigues AP, Larrauri A, Leon I, Farah A, Junker C, Sinnathamby M, Pebody RG, Reynolds A, Bishop J, Gross D, Adlhoch C, Penttinen P, Mølbak K. Excess all-cause and influenza-attributable mortality in Europe, December 2016 to February 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 22:30506. [PMID: 28424146 PMCID: PMC5388126 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2017.22.14.30506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Since December 2016, excess all-cause mortality was observed in many European countries, especially among people aged ≥ 65 years. We estimated all-cause and influenza-attributable mortality in 19 European countries/regions. Excess mortality was primarily explained by circulation of influenza virus A(H3N2). Cold weather snaps contributed in some countries. The pattern was similar to the last major influenza A(H3N2) season in 2014/15 in Europe, although starting earlier in line with the early influenza season start.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gleb Denissov
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaire Innos
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Anne Fouillet
- French Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France), Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Theodore Lytras
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Paldy
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janos Bobvos
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lisa Domegan
- Health Service Executive - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joan O'Donnell
- Health Service Executive - Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | - Liselotte van Asten
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands
| | - Anne C Teirlinck
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Susana P Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana P Rodrigues
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Amparo Larrauri
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Leon
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ahmed Farah
- The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Diane Gross
- WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cornelia Adlhoch
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pasi Penttinen
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
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Wisløff H, Nordvik BS, Sviland S, Tønnessen R. First documented clinical case of Schmallenberg virus in Norway: fetal malformations in a calf. Vet Rec 2014; 174:120. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.102149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Wisløff
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute; P. O. Box 750, Sentrum Oslo N-0106 Norway
| | - B. S. Nordvik
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute; P. O. Box 750, Sentrum Oslo N-0106 Norway
| | - S. Sviland
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute; P. O. Box 750, Sentrum Oslo N-0106 Norway
| | - R. Tønnessen
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute; P. O. Box 750, Sentrum Oslo N-0106 Norway
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9
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Tønnessen R, Hauge AG, Hansen EF, Rimstad E, Jonassen CM. Host restrictions of avian influenza viruses: in silico analysis of H13 and H16 specific signatures in the internal proteins. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63270. [PMID: 23646204 PMCID: PMC3639990 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Gulls are the primary hosts of H13 and H16 avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The molecular basis for this host restriction is only partially understood. In this study, amino acid sequences from Eurasian gull H13 and H16 AIVs and Eurasian AIVs (non H13 and H16) were compared to determine if specific signatures are present only in the internal proteins of H13 and H16 AIVs, using a bioinformatics approach. Amino acids identified in an initial analysis performed on 15 selected sequences were checked against a comprehensive set of AIV sequences retrieved from Genbank to verify them as H13 and H16 specific signatures. Analysis of protein similarities and prediction of subcellular localization signals were performed to search for possible functions associated with the confirmed signatures. H13 and H16 AIV specific signatures were found in all the internal proteins examined, but most were found in the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and in the nucleoprotein. A putative functional signature was predicted to be present in the nuclear export protein. Moreover, it was predicted that the NS1 of H13 and H16 AIVs lack one of the nuclear localization signals present in NS1 of other AIV subtypes. These findings suggest that the signatures found in the internal proteins of H13 and H16 viruses are possibly related to host restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Tønnessen
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.
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10
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Tønnessen R, Kristoffersen AB, Jonassen CM, Hjortaas MJ, Hansen EF, Rimstad E, Hauge AG. Molecular and epidemiological characterization of avian influenza viruses from gulls and dabbling ducks in Norway. Virol J 2013; 10:112. [PMID: 23575317 PMCID: PMC3639200 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-10-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wild aquatic birds constitute the natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Separate Eurasian and American AIV gene pools exist. Here, the prevalence and diversity of AIVs in gulls and dabbling ducks in Norway were described. The influence of host species and temporal changes on AIV prevalence was examined. Five AIVs from Norway, including three from common gull (Larus canus), were analyzed along with 10 available AIV genomes from gulls in Eurasia to search for evidence of intracontinental and intercontinental reassortment of gene segments encoding the internal viral proteins. Methods Swabs collected from 2417 dabbling ducks and gulls in the south-west of Norway during five ordinary hunting seasons (August-December) in the period 2005–2010 were analyzed for presence of AIV. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify associations between AIV prevalence, host species and sampling time. Five AIVs from mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (H3N8, H9N2) and common gull (H6N8, H13N2, H16N3) were full-length characterized and phylogenetically analyzed together with GenBank reference sequences. Results Low pathogenic AIVs were detected in 15.5% (CI: 14.1–17.0) of the samples. The overall AIV prevalence was lower in December compared to that found in August to November (p = 0.003). AIV was detected in 18.7% (CI: 16.8–20.6) of the dabbling ducks. A high AIV prevalence of 7.8% (CI; 5.9–10.0) was found in gulls. A similar temporal pattern in AIV prevalence was found in both bird groups. Thirteen hemagglutinin and eight neuraminidase subtypes were detected. No evidence of intercontinental reassortment was found. Eurasian avian (non H13 and H16) PB2 or PA genes were identified in five reference Eurasian gull (H13 and H16) AIV genomes from GenBank. The NA gene from the Norwegian H13N2 gull isolate was of Eurasian avian origin. Conclusions The similar temporal pattern in AIV prevalence found in dabbling ducks and gulls, the relatively high virus prevalence detected in gulls and the evidence of intracontinental reassortment in AIVs from gulls indicate that gulls that interact with dabbling ducks are likely to be mixing vessels for AIVs from waterfowl and gulls. Our results support that intercontinental reassortment is rare in AIVs from gulls in Eurasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Tønnessen
- Department of Food Safety & Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep N-0033, Oslo, Norway.
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11
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Tønnessen R, Valheim M, Rimstad E, Jonassen CM, Germundssond A. Experimental inoculation of chickens with gull-derived low pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H16N3 causes limited infection. Avian Dis 2012; 55:680-5. [PMID: 22312991 DOI: 10.1637/9701-030411-resnote.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The infectivity, transmission, and pathogenicity potential of avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H16N3, isolated from the European herring gull (Larus argentatus), was examined in chickens. Nineteen 6-wk-old commercial Lohmann white chickens were inoculated intranasally with 1 x 10(6) 50% egg infectious dose and clinical signs, humoral immune response, virus shedding, virus transmission, and pathologic changes in the respiratory tract were studied. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected for viral RNA detection by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rRT-PCR). Sera were collected and examined for H16-specific antibodies using a hemagglutination inhibition test. Tissue samples from the nasal cavity, trachea, and lung were collected at postmortem examination for histopathology and viral RNA detection by rRT-PCR. In one bird, bilateral serous nasal discharge was observed at 2 days postinoculation (DPI) and viral RNA was detected in oropharyngeal swabs at 2 and 4 DPI. Viral RNA was also detected from the oropharynx of an additional bird at 5 DPI. Moreover, H16-specific antibodies were detected in sera from these two birds at 14 and 21 DPI. No viral RNA was detected from cloacal swabs, and no virus transmission between virus-inoculated chickens and noninoculated contact chickens was observed. Tissue samples from the nasal cavity, trachea and lung were negative for viral RNA and no gross or histopathologic lesions were observed in the virus-inoculated birds. These results indicate that gull-derived AIV subtype H16N3 causes only limited infection in chickens under experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Tønnessen
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
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Borge KS, Tønnessen R, Nødtvedt A, Indrebø A. Litter size at birth in purebred dogs--a retrospective study of 224 breeds. Theriogenology 2010; 75:911-9. [PMID: 21196028 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite the long history of purebred dogs and the large number of existing breeds, few studies of canine litter size based upon a large number of breeds exist. Previous studies are either old or include only one or a few selected breeds. The aim of this large-scale retrospective study was to estimate the mean litter size in a large population of purebred dogs and to describe some factors that might influence the litter size. A total of 10,810 litters of 224 breeds registered in the Norwegian Kennel Club from 2006 to 2007 were included in the study. The overall mean litter size at birth was 5.4 (± 0.025). A generalized linear mixed model with a random intercept for breed revealed that the litter size was significantly influenced by the size of the breed, the method of mating and the age of the bitch. A significant interaction between breed size and age was detected, in that the expected number of puppies born decreased more for older bitches of large breeds. Mean litter size increased with breed size, from 3.5 (± 0.04) puppies in miniature breeds to 7.1 (± 0.13) puppies in giant breeds. No effect on litter size was found for the season of birth or the parity of the bitch. The large number of breeds and the detail of the registered information on the litters in this study are unique. In conclusion, the size of the breed, the age of the bitch and the method of mating were found to influence litter size in purebred dogs when controlling for breed, with the size of the breed as the strongest determinant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Sverdrup Borge
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.
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