Exposure, risks and immunity of healthcare workers (HCWs), a vital resource during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, warrant special attention. HCWs at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, filled in questionnaires provided serum samples for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody screening by Euroimmun IgG assay March–April 2020. Positive/equivocal findings were confirmed Abbott microneutralization tests. Positivity two three assays or RT-PCR indicated Covid-19 case (CoV+). The rate CoV(+) was 3.3% (36/1095)...

This study aims to elucidate the variations in spatiotemporal patterns and sociodemographic determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infections Helsinki, Finland. Global local spatial autocorrelation were inspected with Moran's I LISA statistics, Getis-Ord Gi* statistics was used identify hot spot areas. Space-time detect clusters high relative risk regression models implemented explain for clusters. The findings revealed presence clustering COVID-19 cases. High-high areas emerged primarily Helsinki's...

RNA viromes of nine commonly encountered Ochlerotatus mosquito species collected around Finland in 2015 and 2017 were studied using next-generation sequencing. Mosquito homogenates sequenced from 91 pools comprising 16–60 morphologically identified adult females Oc. cantans, caspius, communis, diantaeus, excrucians, hexodontus, intrudens, pullatus punctor/punctodes. In total 514 viral Reverse dependent polymerase (RdRp) sequences 159 virus recovered, belonging to 25 families or equivalent...

Ticks are responsible for transmitting several notable pathogens worldwide. Finland lies in a zone where two human-biting tick species co-occur: Ixodes ricinus and persulcatus. Tick densities have increased boreal regions worldwide during past decades, tick-borne been identified as one of the major threats to public health face climate change. We used distribution modelling techniques predict distributions I. persulcatus, using aggregated historical data from 2014 2020 new occurrence 2021....

The West Nile Virus (WNV) and Sindbis virus (SINV) are avian-hosted mosquito-borne zoonotic viruses that co-circulate in some geographical areas share vector species such as Culex pipiens torrentium. These widespread Europe, including northern parts Finland, where SINV is endemic, but WNV currently not. As spreading northwards we wanted to assess the experimental competence of Finnish torrentium mosquitoes different temperature profiles. Both mosquito were found susceptible both got infected...

Number of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases has increased and new foci have emerged in Finland during the last decade. We evaluated risk for locally acquired TBE capital region inhabited by 1.2 million people. screened ticks small mammals from probable places virus (TBEV) transmission without reported circulation. The TBEV positive samples were sequenced subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Within study period 2007-2017, there was a clear increase both all Helsinki area. surveillance...

The numbers of reported human tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases in Europe have increased several endemic regions (including Finland) recent decades, indicative an increasing threat to public health. As such, it is important identify the at risk and most influential factors associated with TBE distributions, particularly understudied regions. This study aimed areas transmission two different datasets based on disease from 2007 2011 (n = 86) 2012–2017 244). We also examined which best...

Increasing evidence suggests that some newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) resist neutralization by antibodies elicited the early-pandemic wild-type virus. We applied tests to paired recoveree sera (n = 38) using clinical isolates representing first wave (D614G), VoC1, and VoC2 lineages (B.1.1.7 B 1.351). Neutralizing inhibited contemporary VoC1 lineages, whereas inhibition was reduced 8-fold, with 50% failing show neutralization. These results provide for increased potential...

The incidence of birth-associated major injuries among 14.265 live born infants during seven years is presented. occurrence trauma was 3.16% or 441 in 437 children. most usual injury fracture the clavicle, which occurred 3.0%, after that brachial plexus with 0.11 %, and long bones 0.03 %. In addition to there one child facial nerve palsy. Four children had two birth each.

Sindbis virus (SINV) caused a large outbreak in Finland 2021 with 566 laboratory-confirmed human cases and notable geographical expansion. Compared the last 2002, incidence was higher several hospital districts but lower traditionally endemic locations eastern parts of country. A high is also expected 2022. Awareness SINV should be raised to increase recognition disease prevent transmission through promotion control measures.

Abstract Background Ticks carry microbes, some of which are pathogenic for humans and animals. To assess this One Health challenge, 342 ticks were collected from pet dogs cats at 10 veterinary clinics in Finland as part the European project “Protect Our Future Too”. Methods The tick species identified, screened with quantitative PCR (qPCR) tick-borne pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, miyamotoi , Ehrlichia canis Anaplasma spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis,...

Dengue virus (DENV) has caused recent outbreaks in coastal cities of Kenya, but the epidemiological situation other areas Kenya is largely unknown. We investigated role DENV infection as a cause acute febrile disease non-epidemic settings rural and urban study Kenya. Altogether, 560 patients were sampled 2016–2017 Taita–Taveta County (n = 327) slums Kibera, Nairobi 233). The samples studied for IgM, IgG, NS1 antigen flaviviral RNA. IgG seroprevalence was found to be higher (14%) than (3%)....

Abstract Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected in Finland between 2012 and 2018 to determine the species present their distributions. In total, 52 466 specimens from 1031 collections formed basis for preparation of distribution maps each 40 that collected. Anopheles maculipennis s.s. , An. claviger Aedes geminus Ochlerotatus sticticus are confirmed on mainland after previous records uncertain or absent . Coquillettidia richiardii Culiseta morsitans Cs. ochroptera Culex territans Cx....

Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne avian hosted that widely distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Disease humans documented mainly from Northern Europe South Africa associated with genotype I. In 2018 under extremely warm climatic conditions, small outbreak of 71 diagnosed SINV infections was recorded Finland. We screened 52 mosquito pools (570 mosquitoes) 223 human sera for real-time RT-PCR the positive samples isolation. One strain isolated pool (

Tropical mountain ranges are known to support high biodiversity.In addition their role as refuge habitat, complex topography within these ecosystems promotes the development of diverse species traits and evolutionary divergence.However, environments also face severe anthropological threats, most notably from habitat loss degradation, invasive species, climate change.A primary example is Taita Hills in Kenya, which forms northernmost portion biodiversity rich Eastern Arc Mountains.Despite...

Background: Lymphopenia is common in COVID-19. This has raised concerns that COVID-19 could affect the immune system akin to measles infection, which causes amnesia and a reduction protective antibodies. Methods: We recruited patients (n = 59) Helsinki, Finland, collected plasma samples on 2 3 occasions during after infection. measured IgG antibodies diphtheria toxin, tetanus toxoid, pertussis along with total IgG, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein neutralizing also surveyed participants for up 17...

Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging pathogen that shares high similarity with relapsing fever Borrelia, but has atypical clinical presentation. Within the framework of tick-borne disease surveillance in Finland, human serum samples suspected for encephalitis (n=974) and questing ticks (n=739) were collected from capital region Finland to determine prevalence B. miyamotoi. All tested negative 5 (0.68 %) Ixodes ricinus positive Partial sequencing flagellin (flaB) gene 3 27 miyamotoi-positive...

Pogosta disease is a mosquito-borne infection, caused by Sindbis virus (SINV), which causes epidemics of febrile rash and arthritis in Northern Europe South Africa. Resident grouse migratory birds play significant role as amplifying hosts various mosquito species, including Aedes cinereus, Culex pipiens, Cx. torrentium Culiseta morsitans are documented vectors. As specific treatments not available for SINV infections, joint symptoms may persist, the public health burden considerable endemic...

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an endemic infection of public health importance in Finland. We investigated the effect ecologic factors on 2007-2017 TBE trends. obtained domestic case data from National Infectious Diseases Register, weather US Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Natural Resources Institute Finland mammals killed by hunters yearly game management areas. performed a mixed-effects time-series analysis with time lags animal parameters, adding random to During 2007-2017,...

Negeviruses are insect-specific enveloped RNA viruses that have been detected in mosquitoes and sandflies from various geographical locations. Here, we describe a new negevirus Northern Europe, isolated pool of Aedes vexans collected Finland, designated as Mekrijärvi (MEJNV). MEJNV had typical genome organization, is 9,740 nucleotides length, has GC content 47.53%. The contains three ORFs, each containing the following identified conserved domains: ORF1 (7,068 nt) encodes viral...

Several alphaviruses, such as chikungunya (CHIKV) and Onyong-nyong (ONNV), are endemic in Kenya often cause outbreaks different parts of the country. We assessed seroprevalence alphaviruses patients with acute febrile illness two geographically distant areas no previous record alphavirus outbreaks. Blood samples were collected from health facilities located rural Taita-Taveta County 2016 urban Kibera informal settlement Nairobi 2017 tested for CHIKV IgG IgM antibodies using an in-house...

Rodents are known reservoir hosts for a number of pathogens that can spillover into humans and cause disease. These threats likely to be elevated in informal urban settlements (i.e., slums), where rodent human densities often high, rodents live close proximity humans, knowledge disease risks access health care is limited. While recent research attention has focused on zoonotic posed by major cities around the world, have received far less attention. Here we report study which samples were...

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 infection raises neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). While studies have shown differing NAb kinetics, they generally point to the antibody arm of immunity providing most recoverees protection against contemporary strains. However, effect newly emerged variants concern (VoCs) has remained uncertain. Here, applying neutralization tests paired recoveree sera (N=38) spring 2020 COVID-19 patients with clinical isolates wildtype D614G and VoC1 -2 strains (B.1.1.7 B 1.351) from...

Abstract Parapoxviruses (PPV) cause skin and mucous membrane lesions in several animal species, of the five recognized PPVs, at least three are zoonotic. Equine PPV (EqPPV) is sixth one initially described humans United States later a severely sick horse Finland 2013–2015. In 2021–2022, large-scale pustulo-vesicular pastern dermatitis outbreak occurred horses all over Finland. This study aimed analysing outbreak, identifying describing causative agent, clinical signs, searching for risk...