During a 2-year survey in an academic hospital, 8 (8.4%) of all norovirus (NoV)-positive patients showed prolonged norovirus illness and shedding (duration, 21-182 days). All patients had underlying illnesses, resulting in some level of immunodeficiency in 5. Four patients were admitted to the hospital with gastroenteritis, 2 acquired norovirus while hospitalized, and 2 were outpatients. Genotypes GII.4 and GIIb-GII.3 were found. Reinfection occurred in 3 patients. Full capsid sequences were determined from strains detected in sequentially collected stool specimens to study evolution. The greatest number of amino acid mutations in a given patient was 11; they were detected in NoV isolates recovered over a 119-day period and were mapped to positions at or near putative antigenic sites. In the patient with most severe immune dysfunction, only 5 amino acids mutated over 182 days, suggesting immune-driven selection. The severe impact on patients and hospitals and the potential role of prolonged shedders as a reservoir for viral antigenic variants lead us to stress the importance of confinement of outbreaks of NoV infection that occur in hospitals.

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Background: Since the late '90s, infliximab (Remicade ®) is being used successfully to treat patients with several non-infectious immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). In recent years, infliximab biosimilars, including Remsima ® were introduced in clinical practice. Aim: To investigate the interchangeability of Remicade ® (originator infliximab) and its biosimilar Remsima ® in patients with rare immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Methods: This two-phased prospective open label observational study was designed to monitor the transition from Remicade ® to Remsima ® in patients with rare IMIDs. All included patients were followed during the first 2 years. The primary endpoint was the demonstration of non-difference in quality of life and therapeutic efficacy, as measured by parameters including a safety monitoring program, physicians perception of disease activity (PPDA) and patient self-reported outcomes (PSROs). Secondary outcomes included routine blood analysis, pre-infusion serum drug concentration values and anti-drug antibody formation. Results: Forty eight patients treated with Remicade ® were switched to Remsima ® in June-July 2016 and subsequently monitored during the first 2 years. The group consisted of patients with sarcoidosis (n = 17), Behçet's disease (n = 12), non-infectious uveitis (n = 11), and other diagnoses (n = 8). There were no significant differences in PPDA, PSROs, clinical and laboratory assessments and pre-infusion serum drug concentrations between the groups. De novo anti-drug antibodies were observed in two patients. Seven patients with sarcoidosis and five with another diagnosis developed a significant disease relapse (n = 7) or adverse events (n = 5) within 2 years; 10 of these patients discontinued Remsima ® treatment, one withdrew from the study and one received additional corticosteroid therapy. Xue et al. Recurrent Disease Activity on Remsima ® Conclusions: We observed no significant differences in PSROs, PPDA and laboratory parameters after treatment was switched from Remicade ® to Remsima ®. However, disease relapse or serious events were observed in 12 out of 48 patients when treatment was switched from Remicade ® to Remsima ®. The choice to switch anti-TNF alpha biologics in patients with rare IMIDs, particularly in sarcoidosis, requires wellconsidered decision-making and accurate monitoring due to a possibly higher incidence of disease worsening.

Presented is a patient with dyspnea and painful ulcers finally resulting in multi-organ failure. A detailed history resulted in positive PCR testing for Chlamydia psittaci. We emphasize the importance of a definitive history in establishing the correct diagnosis. When clinicians observe dyspnea with multiorgan failure, they should be aware of psittacosis.