Influenza vaccination to improve outcomes for patients with acute heart failure (PANDA II): a multiregional, seasonal, hospital-based, cluster-randomised, controlled trial in China.

Background: Influenza vaccination is widely recommended to prevent death and serious illness in vulnerable people, including those with heart failure. However, the randomised evidence to support this practice is limited and few people are vaccinated in many parts of the world. We aimed to determine whether influenza vaccination can improve the outcome of patients after an episode of acute heart failure requiring admission to hospital in China.

Risk factors and mitigation strategies of laboratory-acquired infections in research and clinical laboratories worldwide: a systematic review.

Laboratory-acquired infections and accidental pathogen escapes from laboratory settings pose biosafety risks, affecting laboratory personnel, the scientific community, the general public, animal populations, and the environment. This systematic review compares reports of laboratory-acquired infections and accidental pathogen escapes from laboratory settings in research and clinical laboratories between 2000 and 2024, identifying key risk factors. A total of 250 reports documenting 712 human cases of laboratory-acquired infections were analysed.

Tracing the spatial origins and spread of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages in South Africa.

Since November 2021, five genetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages (BA.1-BA.5) are believed to have emerged in southern Africa, with four (BA.

Heterologous Surface Display Reveals Conserved Complement Inhibition and Functional Diversification of Borrelia burgdorferi Elp Proteins.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne spirochetosis with diverse clinical manifestations. Genotypic and phenotypic variation among Borrelia burgdorferi strains correlates with variable manifestations of Lyme disease in humans; this diversity is attributed in part to variation in surface-exposed lipoproteins, which are targets of the human antibody response and contribute to tissue adhesion, immune evasion, and other host interactions. Many B.

Long Covid Symptom Clusters, Correlates and Predictors in a Highly Vaccinated Australian Population in 2023.

Background: Limited data exists regarding long Covid burden following Omicron infection in highly vaccinated populations.

Objective: To (1) characterise long Covid prevalence and predictors and (2) identify key symptom clusters and their correlates among long Covid patients, during an Omicron-predominant period in a highly vaccinated population.

Design: Anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey.

Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases with Standard-Dose Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in People Aged ≥50 Years in Australia During the 2017 A/H3N2 Epidemic.

In Australia, 2017 was a severe A/H3N2 season and, therefore, we estimated the effectiveness of standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine in preventing hospitalization for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among New South Wales (NSW) residents aged ≥50 years. We conducted a nested, matched case-control study within the 45 and Up study, linking data from the Australian Immunization Register, NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule. Cases were individuals hospitalized for CVD and controls were those who were hospitalized for gastrointestinal diseases.

A comparison of fit, heat stress, oxygen saturation and comfort between a novel reusable mask and disposable N95 respirator.

The effectiveness of face masks in infection prevention depends not only on filtration technology but also on user compliance. However, existing masks suffer from limitations impacting comfort, ease of use, and communication, leading to reduced compliance, especially during prolonged use in healthcare settings. Innovations in mask design are needed to address these issues to ensure effective protection.

Age at onset and clinical course of RBM20-mediated cardiomyopathy.

Disease-causative variants in RBM20-encoded RNA-binding motif protein 20 cause a severe arrhythmogenic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We aimed to characterize the clinical course of RBM20-mediated DCM in comparison to other familial and non-familial forms of DCM. The Mayo Clinic Genetic Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM) Registry was used to identify RBM20- and TTNtv-positive individuals.

A Geospatial Perspective Toward the Role of Wild Bird Migrations and Global Poultry Trade in the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1.

This study presents the interplay between wild bird migrations and global poultry trade in the unprecedented spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.

The role of masks and respirators in preventing respiratory infections in healthcare and community settings.

The covid-19 pandemic saw frequent changes and conflicts in mask policies and politicization of masks. On reviewing the evidence, including studies published after the pandemic, the data suggest respirators are more effective than masks in healthcare, but must be continuously worn to be protective. Healthcare and aged care settings amplify outbreaks, so protection of patients and staff is paramount.

Global Epidemiology of Outbreaks of Unknown Cause Identified by Open-Source Intelligence, 2020-2022.

Epidemic surveillance using traditional approaches is dependent on case ascertainment and is delayed. Open-source intelligence (OSINT)-based syndromic surveillance can overcome limitations of delayed surveillance and poor case ascertainment, providing early warnings to guide outbreak response. It can identify outbreaks of unknown cause for which no other global surveillance exists.

Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito.

Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. Here we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, form , also known as the London Underground Mosquito. Population genomic analysis of ~350 contemporary and historical samples counter the popular hypothesis that originated belowground in London less than 200 years ago.

Acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children: evidence for and against causal relationships with SARS-CoV-2, HAdv and AAV2.

Background: The cause of acute paediatric hepatitis of unknown aetiology (2022) has not been established despite extensive investigation.

Objective: To summarise the evidence for and against a causal role for human adenovirus (HAdv), adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV-2) and SARS-CoV-2 in outbreaks of paediatric hepatitis in 2022.

Methods: We appraised and summarised relevant evidence for each of the Bradford Hill criteria for causality using quantitative (statistical modelling) and qualitative (narrative coherence) approaches.

Comprehensive humoral and cellular immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in adults with cancer.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted people with cancer. Initial vaccine studies excluded patients with malignancy. Immunocompromised individuals remain vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, necessitating detailed understanding of vaccine response.

Using EPIWATCH® open-source surveillance to describe the epidemiology of lumpy skin disease outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia (2022-2023).

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) poses a significant threat to animal welfare and leads to economic losses in affected countries. LSD outbreaks may also impact trade and regional relationships. South and Southeast Asia, with its dense livestock population and intricate trade networks, are susceptible to LSD outbreaks.

The public health and economic burden of long COVID in Australia, 2022-24: a modelling study.

Objective: To estimate the number of people in Australia with long COVID by age group, and the associated medium term productivity and economic losses.

Study Design: Modelling study: a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) model to estimate the number of people with long COVID over time following single infections, and a labour supply model to estimate productivity losses as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP).

Setting: Australia, 2022-2024.

The risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults diagnosed with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cognitive impairment can be caused by infections with various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. Research has yet to determine the true incidence and course of cognitive impairment in older adults following COVID-19. Furthermore, research has theorised that COVID-19 is associated with dementia progression and diagnosis but this association has yet to be fully described.

Public health management of pertussis in adults: Practical challenges and future strategies.

A panel of 24 international experts met in July 2022 to discuss challenges associated with pertussis detection, monitoring, and vaccination in adults; conclusions from this meeting are presented. There has been a shift in the epidemiology of pertussis toward older children and adults. This shift has been attributed to the waning of infection- or vaccine-induced immunity, newer detection techniques causing detection bias, and possibly the replacement of whole-cell pertussis with acellular vaccines in high-income countries, which may lead to immunity waning more quickly.