greece – ETIDIoH

#SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is #Asymptomatic in Nearly Half of Adults with Robust Anti- #Spike Protein #RBD #Antibody #Response (Vaccines (Basel), abstract)

[Source: Vaccines (Basel), full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Asymptomatic in Nearly Half of Adults with Robust Anti-Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody Response

by Ourania E. Tsitsilonis 1,*,† , Dimitrios Paraskevis 2,*,† , Evi Lianidou 3 , Evangelos Terpos 4 , Athanasios Akalestos 5, Vassilios Pierros 6, Evangelia Georgia Kostaki 2 , Efstathios Kastritis 4, Paraskevi Moutsatsou 7, Marianna Politou 8, Andreas Scorilas 1, Thomas Sphicopoulos 6, Nikolaos Thomaidis 3 , Ioannis P. Trougakos 1 , Athanassios Tsakris 9, Nikolaos Voulgaris 10, Christina C. Daskalaki 1, Zoi Evangelakou 1, Christina Fouki 2, Despoina D. Gianniou 1 , Sentiljana Gumeni 1, Ioannis V. Kostopoulos 1 , Maria S. Manola 1 , Nikolaos Orologas-Stavrou 1, Chrysanthi Panteli 1, Eleni-Dimitra Papanagnou 1 , Pantelis Rousakis 1, Aimilia D. Sklirou 1 , Stavroula Smilkou 3 , Dimitra Stergiopoulou 3, Sotirios Tsiodras 11 , Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos 4 and Petros P. Sfikakis 12

1 Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; 2 Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11527 Athens, Greece; 3 Department of Chemistry, NKUA, 15771 Athens, Greece; 4 Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece; 5 Roche Diagnostics (Hellas) S.A., Marousi, 15125 Athens, Greece; 6 Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, NKUA, 15784 Athens, Greece; 7 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, NKUA, 12462 Haidari, Greece; 8 Hematology Laboratory-Blood Bank, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece; 9 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11527 Athens, Greece; 10 Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, NKUA, 15784 Athens, Greece; 11 Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University Hospital Attikon, NKUA, 12462 Haidari, Greece; 12 First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, NKUA, 15772 Athens, Greece

*Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

†The authors contributed equally.

Academic Editor: Steven B. Bradfute

Vaccines 2021, 9(3), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030207 (registering DOI)

Received: 6 January 2021 / Revised: 13 February 2021 / Accepted: 16 February 2021 / Published: 2 March 2021

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SARS-CoV-2 Serological Studies around the Globe)

Abstract

Between June and November 2020, we assessed plasma antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein in 4996 participants (aged 18–82 years, 34.5% men) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The weighted overall prevalence was 1.6% and monthly prevalence correlated with viral RNA-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in Greece, in the same period. Notably, 49% of seropositive cases reported no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection-related clinical symptoms and 33% were unsuspected of their previous infection. Additionally, levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against the spike-protein receptor-binding domain were similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, irrespective of age and gender. Using Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization-approved assays, these results support the need for such studies on pandemic evaluation and highlight the development of robust humoral immune responses even among asymptomatic individuals. The high percentage of unsuspected/asymptomatic active cases, which may contribute to community transmission for more days than that of cases who are aware and self-isolate, underscores the necessity of measures across the population for the efficient control of the pandemic.

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Tsitsilonis, O.E.; Paraskevis, D.; Lianidou, E.; Terpos, E.; Akalestos, A.; Pierros, V.; Kostaki, E.G.; Kastritis, E.; Moutsatsou, P.; Politou, M.; Scorilas, A.; Sphicopoulos, T.; Thomaidis, N.; Trougakos, I.P.; Tsakris, A.; Voulgaris, N.; Daskalaki, C.C.; Evangelakou, Z.; Fouki, C.; Gianniou, D.D.; Gumeni, S.; Kostopoulos, I.V.; Manola, M.S.; Orologas-Stavrou, N.; Panteli, C.; Papanagnou, E.-D.; Rousakis, P.; Sklirou, A.D.; Smilkou, S.; Stergiopoulou, D.; Tsiodras, S.; Dimopoulos, M.-A.; Sfikakis, P.P. SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Asymptomatic in Nearly Half of Adults with Robust Anti-Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody Response. Vaccines 2021, 9, 207. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030207

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Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Serology; Seroprevalence; Greece.

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Effects of #SocialDistancing #Measures during the First Epidemic #Wave of #SARS-CoV-2 Infection, #Greece (Emerg Infect Dis., abstract)

[Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Volume 27, Number 2—February 2021 | Research

Effects of Social Distancing Measures during the First Epidemic Wave of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Infection, Greece

Vana Sypsa , Sotirios Roussos, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Theodore Lytras, Sotirios Tsiodras1, and Angelos Hatzakis1

Author affiliations: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (V. Sypsa, S. Roussos, D. Paraskevis, S. Tsiodras, A. Hatzakis); National Public Health Organization, Athens (T. Lytras); European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus (T. Lytras)

Abstract

Greece imposed a nationwide lockdown in March 2020 to mitigate transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 during the first epidemic wave. We conducted a survey on age-specific social contact patterns to assess effects of physical distancing measures and used a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered model to simulate the epidemic. Because multiple distancing measures were implemented simultaneously, we assessed their overall effects and the contribution of each measure. Before measures were implemented, the estimated basic reproduction number (R0) was 2.38 (95% CI 2.01–2.80). During lockdown, daily contacts decreased by 86.9% and R0 decreased by 81.0% (95% credible interval [CrI] 71.8%–86.0%); each distancing measure decreased R0 by 10%–24%. By April 26, the attack rate in Greece was 0.12% (95% CrI 0.06%–0.26%), one of the lowest in Europe, and the infection fatality ratio was 1.12% (95% CrI 0.55%–2.31%). Multiple social distancing measures contained the first epidemic wave in Greece.

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Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Social distancing; Epidemiology; Greece.

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#Transmission #dynamics of #SARS‐CoV‐2 within #families with #children in #Greece: a study of 23 #clusters (J Med Virol., abstract)

[Source: Journal of Medical Virology, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Transmission dynamics of SARS‐CoV‐2 within families with children in Greece: a study of 23 clusters

Helena C. Maltezou, Rengina Vorou, Kalliopi Papadima, Athanasios Kossyvakis, Nikolaos Spanakis, Georgia Gioula, Maria Exindari, Symeon Metallidis, Athanasia N. Lourida, Vasilios Raftopoulos, Elisavet Froukala, Beatriz Martinez‐Gonzalez, Athanasios Mitsianis, Emmanuel Roilides, Andreas Mentis, Athanasios Tsakris, Anna Papa

First published: 07 August 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.26394

This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1002/jmv.26394

Abstract

Background

There is limited information on SARS‐CoV‐2 infection clustering within families with children. We aimed to study the transmission dynamics of SARS‐CoV‐2 within families with children in Greece.

Methods

We studied 23 family clusters of COVID‐19. Infection was diagnosed by RT‐PCR in respiratory specimens. The level of viral load was categorized as high, moderate, or low based on the cycle threshold values.

Results

There were 109 household members (66 adults and 43 children). The median attack rate per cluster was 60% (range: 33.4%‐100%). An adult member with COVID‐19 was the first case in 21 (91.3%) clusters. Transmission of infection occurred from an adult to a child in 19 clusters and/or from an adult to another adult in 12 clusters. There was no evidence of child‐to‐adult or child‐to‐child transmission. In total 68 household members (62.4%) tested positive. Children were more likely to have an asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection compared to adults (40% versus 10.5%, p‐value=0.021). In contrast, adults were more likely to develop a severe clinical course compared to children (8.8% versus 0%, p‐value=0.021). In addition, infected children were significantly more likely to have a low viral load while adults were more likely to have a moderate viral load (40.7% and 18.5% versus 13.8% and 51.7%, respectively; p‐value=0.016).

Conclusions

While children become infected by SARS‐CoV‐2, they do not appear to transmit infection to others. Furthermore, children more frequently have an asymptomatic or mild course compared to adults. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of viral load on these findings.

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Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Cluster of cases; Pediatrics; Greece.

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Repeated leftover #serosurvey of #SARS-CoV-2 #IgG #antibodies, #Greece, March and April 2020 (Euro Surveill., abstract)

[Source: Eurosurveillance, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Repeated leftover serosurvey of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, Greece, March and April 2020

Zacharoula Bogogiannidou1 , Alexandros Vontas1 , Katerina Dadouli1 , Maria A Kyritsi1 , Soteris Soteriades1 , Dimitrios J Nikoulis1 , Varvara Α Mouchtouri1 , Michalis Koureas1 , Evangelos I Kazakos2 , Emmanouil G Spanos1 , Georgia Gioula3 , Evangelia E Ntzani4,5,6 , Alexandros A Eleftheriou4 , Alkiviadis Vatopoulos7 , Efthimia Petinaki8 , Vassiliki Papaevangelou9 , Matthaios Speletas10 , Sotirios Tsiodras11 , Christos Hadjichristodoulou1

Affiliations: 1 Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; 2 Faculty of Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece; 3 National Influenza Reference Laboratory for Northern Greece, Microbiology Department, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 4 Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece; 5 Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, United States; 6 Institute of Biosciences, University Research Center of loannina, Ioannina, Greece; 7 Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece; 8 Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; 9 Third Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece; 10 Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; 11 Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece

Correspondence: Christos Hadjichristodoulou

Citation style for this article: Bogogiannidou Zacharoula , Vontas Alexandros , Dadouli Katerina , Kyritsi Maria A , Soteriades Soteris , Nikoulis Dimitrios J , Mouchtouri Varvara Α , Koureas Michalis , Kazakos Evangelos I , Spanos Emmanouil G , Gioula Georgia , Ntzani Evangelia E , Eleftheriou Alexandros A , Vatopoulos Alkiviadis , Petinaki Efthimia , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Speletas Matthaios , Tsiodras Sotirios , Hadjichristodoulou Christos . Repeated leftover serosurvey of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, Greece, March and April 2020. Euro Surveill. 2020;25(31):pii=2001369. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.31.2001369

Received: 12 Jul 2020; Accepted: 03 Aug 2020

Abstract

A serosurvey of IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was performed during March and April 2020. Among 6,586 leftover sera, 24 (0.36%) were positive, with higher prevalence in females, older individuals and residents of large urban areas. Seroprevalence was estimated at 0.02% and 0.25%, respectively, in March and April, infection fatality rate at 2.66% and 0.54%. Our findings confirm low COVID-19 incidence in Greece and possibly the effectiveness of early measures.

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Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Serology; Seroprevalence; Greece.

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A #cluster of #COVID19 in #pilgrims to #Israel (J Travel Med., abstract)

[Source: Journal of Travel Medicine, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

A cluster of COVID-19 in pilgrims to Israel

Androula Pavli, Paraskevi Smeti, Kalliopi Papadima, Anastasia Andreopoulou, Sofia Hadjianastasiou, Eleni Triantafillou, Annita Vakali, Chrysovalantou Kefaloudi, Danai Pervanidou, Charalambos Gogos, Helena C Maltezou

Journal of Travel Medicine, taaa102, https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa102

Published: 25 June 2020

Abstract

This report describes a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pilgrims returning from Israel to Greece. Out of 53 pilgrims, 48 (90.5%) were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; of them, 41 (85.4%) developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and 7 (14.6%) remained asymptomatic. These cases suggest a high risk of COVID-19 infection for pilgrims traveling during the pandemic. Although at that time the prevalence of the disease was low in the origin and destination countries, crowded exposure to other pilgrims from many other countries led to this cluster. Increasing awareness about the risks in pilgrims is important and particularly for elderly pilgrims and those with underlying conditions.

SARS-CoV-2, infection, pandemic, pilgrimage, transmission, travel, imported

Issue Section: Research letter

This content is only available as a PDF.

This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

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Keywords: SARS-CoV-; COVID-19; Greece; Israel.

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High #prevalence of #SARS-CoV-2 infection in repatriation #flights to #Greece from three #European countries (J Travel Med., abstract)

[Source: Journal of Travel Medicine, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in repatriation flights to Greece from three European countries

Theodore Lytras, MD, George Dellis, BSc, Anastasia Flountzi, MD, Sophia Hatzianastasiou, MD, Georgia Nikolopoulou, MD, Katerina Tsekou, BSc, Zafiris Diamantis, MD, Grigoria Stathopoulou, BSc, Marianthi Togka, BSc, Gerasimos Gerolymatos, BSc, George Rigakos, MD, Spiridon Sapounas, MD, Sotirios Tsiodras, MD

Journal of Travel Medicine, taaa054, https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa054

Published: 16 April 2020

Highlight

Passengers on repatriation flights to Greece from the UK, Spain and Turkey were screened with oropharyngeal swabs on arrival for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite almost all passengers being asymptomatic, many tested positive (3.6% from UK, 6.3% from Spain and 6.3% from Turkey), indicating widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in these countries.

COVID, pandemic, coronavirus, air travel, asymptomatic transmission, screening, real-time PCR

Issue Section: RAPID COMMUNICATION

This content is only available as a PDF.

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Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Greece.

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#Epidemiological #trends of #fungemia in #Greece with focus on candidemia during recent #financial #crisis:… (Antimicrob Agents Chemother., abstract)

[Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Epidemiological trends of fungemia in Greece with focus on candidemia during recent financial crisis: a 10-year survey in a tertiary care academic hospital and review of literature

Maria Siopi, Aikaterini Tarpatzi, Eleni Kalogeropoulou, Sofia Damianidou, Alexandra Vasilakopoulou, Sophia Vourli, Spyros Pournaras, Joseph Meletiadis

DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01516-19

ABSTRACT

Background.

Updated information on the epidemiology of candidemia particularly during severe socioeconomic events is important for proper management of these infections.

Materials/Methods.

A systematic literature review on candidemia in Greece and a retrospective surveillance study were conducted in a tertiary university hospital during the years of recent financial crisis(2009-2018) in order to assess changes in incidence rates, patient characteristics, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and drug consumption.

Results.

The average annual incidence of 429 candidemic episodes was 2.03/10000 bed days with 9.88 in adult ICU, 1.74 in surgical and 1.81 in internal medicine wards where a significant increase was observed (1.15, 1.85 and 2.23/10000 bed days in 2009-2011, 2012-2014 and 2015-2018, respectively, p=0.004). C. albicans was the commonest species (41%), followed by C. parapsilosis species complex [SC](37%), C. glabrataSC(11%), C. tropicalis(7%), C. krusei(1%) and other rare Candida spp.(3%). Mixed infections were found in 20/429(4.7%) while 33(7%) cases were due to non-Candida spp. Overall, 44/311(14%) isolates were resistant/non-WT to the nine antifungals tested, with 24/113(20%) C. parapsilosisSC and 3/34(9%) of C. glabrataSC isolates being resistant to fluconazole (1 panechinocandin- and 2 panazole-resistant). All isolates were susceptible/WT to amphotericin B and flucytosine. While the overall consumption of antifungals diminished(p=0.02) with a mean of 17.93 DDD/100 bed days, the increased micafungin use was correlated with the rise in C. parapsilosisSC(p=0.04).

Conclusions.

A significant increase of candidemia in internal medicine wards and C. parapsilosisSC infections was found during the years of financial crisis. Although resistance rates remain low(<14%), fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosisSC and multi-drug resistant C. glabrataSC are of major concern.

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Keywords: Antibiotics; Drugs Resistance; Candida spp.; Candidemia; Greece.

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#Entomological Data and #Detection of #WNV in #Mosquitoes in #Greece (2014–2016), Before Disease Re-Emergence in 2017 (Vector Borne Zoo Dis., abstract)

[Source: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Entomological Data and Detection of West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes in Greece (2014–2016), Before Disease Re-Emergence in 2017

Eleni Patsoula, Stavroula Beleri, Nikolaos Tegos, Rima Mkrtsian, Annita Vakali, and Danai Pervanidou

Published Online: 11 Nov 2019 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2018.2422

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) cases were seasonally recorded in humans and animals in Greece, from 2010 to 2014, and circulation of the virus was detected in different Regional Units of the country. Small scale entomological surveillance activities were carried out by several regions and regional units in Greece, during 2014–2016, with the participation of subcontractors for the vector control programs aiming to record presence/absence of mosquito species, and monitor and control mosquito populations. Mosquito traps were placed in rural and urban sites; specimens were collected, morphologically characterized, and pooled by date of collection, location, and species types. Mosquito pools containing Culex pipiens, Aedes caspius, and Aedes albopictus were examined for the presence of WNV and positive pools were detected in different areas of the country. Sequencing of a selected number of amplicons revealed WNV lineage 2 partial NS5 gene sequences. In this study, we present data on the mosquito species composition in the areas of study and WNV detection from several parts of Greece, in 6, 11, and 26 mosquito pools corresponding to the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. A total of 15 WNV human infections were reported to the public health authorities of the country in 2014, whereas no human cases were detected for 2015–2016. Taking into consideration the complex epidemiological profile of WNV and unforeseen changes in its circulation, re-emergence of WNV human cases in Greece was possible and expected, thus rendering surveillance activities imperative.

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Keywords: West Nile Virus; Mosquitoes; Aedes spp.; Culex spp.; Greece.

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#Phylogenetic Analysis of #Bird-Virulent #WNV Strain, #Greece (Emerg Infect Dis., abstract)

[Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Volume 25, Number 12—December 2019 / Research Letter

Phylogenetic Analysis of Bird-Virulent West Nile Virus Strain, Greece

George Valiakos, Konstantinos Plavos, Alexandros Vontas, Marina Sofia, Alexios Giannakopoulos, Themis Giannoulis, Vassiliki Spyrou, Constantina N. Tsokana, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Maria Kantere, Vasilis Diamantopoulos, Angeliki Theodorou, Spyridoula Mpellou, Athanasios Tsakris, Zissis Mamuris, and Charalambos Billinis

Author affiliations: University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece (G. Valiakos, K. Plavos, A. Vontas, M. Sofia, A. Giannakopoulos, T. Giannoulis, V. Spyrou, C.N. Tsokana, D. Chatzopoulos, M. Kantere, Z. Mamuris, C. Billinis); Public Health Director—Region of Peloponnese, Tripoli, Greece (V. Diamantopoulos); Directorate-General for Regional Agricultural Economics and Veterinary—Region of Peloponnese, Nafplio, Greece (A. Theodorou); Bioefarmoges Eleftheriou LP—Integrated Mosquito Control, Marathon, Greece (S. Mpellou); University of Athens, Athens, Greece (A. Tsakris)

Abstract

We report the full polyprotein genomic sequence of a West Nile virus strain isolated from Eurasian magpies dying with neurologic signs in Greece. Our findings demonstrate the local genetic evolution of the West Nile virus strain responsible for a human disease outbreak in the country that began in 2010.

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Keywords: West Nile Virus; Wild birds; Human; Greece.

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A case of #CCHF imported in #Greece: #Contact #tracing and #management of exposed #HCWs (J Infect Prev., abstract)

[Source: US National Library of Medicine, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

J Infect Prev. 2019 Jul;20(4):171-178. doi: 10.1177/1757177419852666. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

A case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever imported in Greece: Contact tracing and management of exposed healthcare workers.

Maltezou HC1, Papa A2, Ventouri S3, Tseki C4, Pervanidou D5, Pavli A1, Panagopoulos P3,6, Markatou P7, Gavana E2, Maltezos E3,6.

Author information: 1 Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece. 2 Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. 3 Department of Infection Control, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. 4 Department of Infection Control, General Hospital of Xanthi, Xanthi, Greece. 5 Department for Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece. 6 Second Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. 7 Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nosocomial transmission is a major mode of infection of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). In May 2018, a patient with CCHF was hospitalised in Greece.

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim was to present the management of healthcare workers (HCWs) to the CCHF case.

METHODS:

Contact tracing, risk assessment and follow-up of exposed HCWs were performed. Testing (RT-PCR and/or serology) was offered to contacts. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with ribavirin was considered for high-risk exposures.

RESULTS:

Ninety-one HCWs were exposed to the case. Sixty-six HCWs were grouped as high-risk exposures. Ribavirin PEP was offered to 29 HCWs; seven agreed to receive prophylaxis. Forty-one HCWs were tested for CCHF infection; none was found positive. Gaps in infection control occurred.

DISCUSSION:

CCHF should be considered in patients with compatible travel history and clinical and laboratory findings. Early clinical suspicion and laboratory confirmation are imperative for the implementation of appropriate infection control measures. Ribavirin should be considered for high-risk exposures. Infection control capacity for highly pathogenic agents should increase.

KEYWORDS: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever; contact tracing; healthcare workers; infection control; ribavirin

PMID: 31428197 PMCID: PMC6683607 [Available on 2020-07-01] DOI: 10.1177/1757177419852666

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Keywords: CCHF; HCWs; Greece.

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