Pathogens Detected in Questing Ticks in a Mountainous Area in Greece.

ticks are vectors of a plethora of pathogens. The purpose of this study was to screen 398 ticks for a variety of pathogens. Following the pooling, homogenization, and extraction of total nucleic acids, a real-time PCR was applied for the detection of a panel of tick-borne pathogens, while additional conventional PCRs combined with Sanger sequencing were applied for the detection of viruses and typing of and species.

West Nile virus spread in Europe: Phylogeographic pattern analysis and key drivers.

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks in birds, humans, and livestock have occurred in multiple areas in Europe and have had a significant impact on animal and human health. The patterns of emergence and spread of WNV in Europe are very different from those in the US and understanding these are important for guiding preparedness activities.

Methods: We mapped the evolution and spread history of WNV in Europe by incorporating viral genome sequences and epidemiological data into phylodynamic models.

Neonatal Bloodstream Infection with Ceftazidime-Avibactam-Resistant -Producing Carrying .

Background: Although ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) has become an important option for treating adults and children, no data or recommendations exist for neonates. We report a neonatal sepsis case due to CAZ/AVI-resistant -harboring carrying and the use of a customized active surveillance program in conjunction with enhanced infection control measures.

Methods: The index case was an extremely premature neonate hospitalized for 110 days that had been previously treated with multiple antibiotics.

The 2022 West Nile Virus Season in Greece; A Quite Intense Season.

Since 2010, the West Nile virus (WNV) has been established in Greece. We describe the epidemiology of diagnosed human WNV infections in Greece with a focus on the 2022 season. During the transmission period, clinicians were sending samples from suspected cases for testing.

Overview of Mpox Outbreak in Greece in 2022-2023: Is It Over?

In May 2022, for the first time, multiple cases of mpox were reported in several non-endemic countries. The first ever case of the disease in Greece was confirmed on 8 June 2022, and a total of 88 cases were reported in the country until the end of April 2023. A multidisciplinary response team was established by the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) to monitor and manage the situation.

Development of Toehold Switches as a Novel Ribodiagnostic Method for West Nile Virus.

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging neurotropic RNA virus and a member of the genus . Naturally, the virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes as vectors and birds that are the principal amplifying virus hosts. In humans, the incubation period for WNV disease ranges from 3 to 14 days, with an estimated 80% of infected persons being asymptomatic, around 19% developing a mild febrile infection and less than 1% developing neuroinvasive disease.

Clinical Performance Evaluation of the NeuMoDx Flu A-B/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 Vantage Assay.

SARS-CoV-2 infections may present with various symptoms that are similar to those of other respiratory diseases. For this reason, the need for simultaneous detection of at least RSV and influenza viruses together with SARS-CoV-2 was evident from the early stages of the pandemic. In the present study, we evaluated the clinical performance of the NeuMoDx™ Flu A-B/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 Vantage Assay against the conventional low-plex PCR utilized to detect influenza A-B, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2.

Spa diversity and genetic characterization of t127 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a tertiary Greek hospital.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes severe community and hospital acquired infections. Identification of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), multilocus-sequence typing, and sequencing of S. aureus protein A (spa) gene are used for MRSA typing.

Early initiation of the respiratory syncytial virus season in 2021-2022, Greece.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral pathogen causing respiratory disease in the pediatric population. An unexpected sudden upsurge of RSV infections among children was observed in September 2021 in Greece. Forty-one rhinopharyngeal samples from children under the age of 2 years with confirmed RSV bronchiolitis were tested to identify the genotype(s) of the RSV strain(s).

Emergence of ST39 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae producing VIM-1 and KPC-2.

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) causes life-threatening hospital-acquired infections. KPC and VIM carbapenemase production is the main molecular mechanism for carbapenem resistance. The aim of the current study was the genetic characterization of four ST39 CRKP isolates simultaneously producing VIM-1 and KPC-2, obtained in a Greek tertiary hospital.

PCR-based next-generation West Nile virus sequencing protocols.

The epidemiology of West Nile virus (WNV) is unpredictable and changing. Availability of whole genome sequences enables the detailed molecular epidemiology studies and the evaluation and design of diagnostic tools. In the present study we provide two PCR-based protocols which can be applied directly on biological samples from hosts infected by WNV strains belonging to lineage 1 or lineage 2.

Prospective evaluation of specimen pooling strategy for detection of SARS-CoV-2 using pools of five and six specimens.

The increased demand for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in shortage of reagents and consumables. Pooling of specimens could be an alternative strategy to overcome these problems. Initial evaluation of the pooling strategy was performed using known positive specimens, previously tested individually, and their respective pools of plus four (5X), five (6X) and nine (10X) known negative specimens.

West Nile fever upsurge in a Greek regional unit, 2020.

During the 2020 West Nile virus (WNV) transmission season, Greece was the most affected EU Member State. More than one third of human cases occurred in Serres regional unit in northern Greece, which is characterized by the presence of a major wetland (Kerkini lake and Strimon river). A total of 2809 Culex pipiens mosquitoes collected in Serres were grouped into 70 pools and tested for WNV.

Urine-Based Molecular Diagnostic Tests for Leishmaniasis Infection in Human and Canine Populations: A Meta-Analysis.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting humans and domesticated animals with high mortality in endemic countries. The pleiotropy of symptoms and the complicated gold-standard methods make the need for non-invasive, highly sensitive diagnostic tests imperative. Individual studies on molecular-based diagnosis in urine show high discrepancy; thus, a data-evidenced comparison of various techniques is necessary.

Spread of NDM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a tertiary Greek hospital.

Bacterial carbapenem resistance, especially when mediated by transferable carbapenemases, is of important public health concern. An increased number of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated in a tertiary hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece, called for further genetic investigation.The study included 29 non-repetitive carbapenem resistant K.

West Nile virus in humans, Greece, 2018: the largest seasonal number of cases, 9 years after its emergence in the country.

BackgroundHuman cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection are recorded since 2010 in Greece, with seasonal outbreaks occurring almost annually. Enhanced surveillance has been implemented since 2010, to promptly characterise cases' temporal and geographical distribution and inform authorities for implementation of appropriate measures (mosquito control, health education, blood safety).AimWe describe the epidemiology of WNV human infections in Greece focusing on the 2018 season.

West Nile virus lineage 2 in Culex mosquitoes in Thessaly, Greece, 2019.

West Nile virus is a flavivirus transmitted to humans mainly by mosquito bites. Outbreaks are observed in several European countries, and Greece is one of the most affected countries during the recent years. Thessaly was one of the most affected regions in Greece in 2019.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Greece, 2016-2018.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute bronchiolitis in infants and young children. Children under the age of 2 years, hospitalized for bronchiolitis in the pediatric clinic of a tertiary hospital in northern Greece, were tested for RSV infection during two RSV seasons (2016-2017 and 2017-2018). RSV was detected in 37 of 71 (52.

West Nile virus lineage 2 in humans and mosquitoes in Bulgaria, 2018-2019.

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2, and especially the Hungarian clade, predominates in Europe. Most of the Hungarian clade strains cluster into 2 groups: Central/South-West European and Balkan.

Objectives: Since there was not any study on WNV in mosquitoes in Bulgaria, the present study was designed to test Culex spp.