No abstract

HHV-6 and HHV-7 antigenemia usually occurred together with symptomatic CMV infection after liver transplantation. HHV-6 preceded CMV, but HHV-7 appeared together with CMV. Further investigation of the clinical significance of HHV-6 and HHV-7 antigenemia in organ transplant patients is necessary.

PFGE analysis showed three independent clusters. Several factors contributed to spread of the epidemic strains: (1) there were many severely premature and susceptible neonates, (2) the NICU was overcrowded during the clusters, and (3) transmission was likely to occur via the hands of staff. Cohorting and improvement of routine infection control measures led to the cessation of each cluster.

Small round structured viruses (SRSVs - for example, calici-, astro-, and entero-viruses) are the commonest causes of outbreaks of non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Transmission of SRSVs by water and by various foods – including salads, bakery prod

Isolation of patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) in hospital rooms with adequate technical facilities is essential to reduce the risk of spreading disease. The European Network for Infectious Diseases (EUNID), a project co-funded by European Commission and involving 16 European Union member states, performed an inventory of high level isolation rooms (HIRs, hospital rooms with negative pressure and anteroom). In participating countries, HIRs are available in at least 211 hospitals, with at least 1789 hospital beds. The adequacy of this number is not known and will depend on prevailing circumstances. Sporadic HID cases can be managed in the available HIRs. HIRs could also have a role in the initial phases of an influenza pandemic. However, large outbreaks due to natural or to bioterrorist events will need management strategies involving healthcare facilities other than HIRs.

Echovirus 30 caused substantial morbidity during this community outbreak caused by person-to-person spread. Household contacts, day-care centers and playgrounds were prominent risk factors for transmission.

Background Compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) measures is critical to preventing COVID-19 transmission in healthcare settings. Aim To identify and explain factors influencing compliance with COVID-19-specific IPC measures among healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term care facilities (LTCF) in Finland. Methods The study included a web-based survey and qualitative study based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). The link to the anonymous survey was distributed via email to LTCFs through regional IPC experts in December 2020. Outcome was modelled using ordinary logistic regression and penalised ridge logistic regression using regrouped explanatory variables and an original, more correlated set of explanatory variables, respectively. In-depth interviews were conducted among survey participants who volunteered during January–March 2021. Data were analysed thematically using qualitative data analysis software (NVIVO12). Results A total of 422 HCWs from 17/20 regions responded to the survey. Three TDF domains were identified that negatively influenced IPC compliance: environmental context and resources, reinforcement and beliefs about capabilities. Twenty HCWs participated in interviews, which resulted in identification of several themes: changes in professional duties and lack of staff planning for emergencies (domain: environmental context and resources); management culture and physical absence of management (domain: reinforcement), knowledge of applying IPC measures, nature of tasks and infrastructure that supports implementation (domain: beliefs about capabilities), that explained how the domains negatively influenced their IPC behaviour. Conclusions This study provides insights into behavioural domains that can be used in developing evidence-based behaviour change interventions to support HCW compliance with pandemic-specific IPC measures in LTCFs.

Background The shortage of FFP2 and FFP3 respirators posed a serious threat to the operation of the healthcare system at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim Our aim was to develop and validate a large-scale facility that uses hydrogen peroxide vapour for the decontamination of used respirators. Methods A multidisciplinary and multisectoral ad hoc group of experts representing various organisations was assembled to implement the collection and transport of used FFP2 and FFP3 respirators from hospitals covering 86% of the Finnish population. A large-scale decontamination facility using hydrogen peroxide vapour was designed and constructed. Microbiological tests were used to confirm efficacy of hydrogen peroxide vapour decontamination together with a test to assess the effect of decontamination on the filtering efficacy and fit of respirators. Bacterial and fungal growth in stored respirators was determined by standard methods. Results Large-scale hydrogen peroxide vapour decontamination of a range of FFP2 and FFP3 respirator models effectively reduced the recovery of biological indicators: Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus spores, as well as model virus bacteriophage MS2. The filtering efficacy and facial fit after hydrogen peroxide vapour decontamination were not affected by the process. Microbial growth in the hydrogen peroxide vapour-treated respirators indicated appropriate microbial cleanliness. Conclusions Large-scale hydrogen peroxide vapour decontamination was validated. After effective decontamination, no significant changes in the key properties of the respirators were detected. European Union regulations should incorporate a facilitated pathway to allow reuse of appropriately decontaminated respirators in a severe pandemic when unused respirators are not available.