Dataset Information

Louse-borne relapsing fever - report of four cases in Switzerland, June-December 2015.

ABSTRACT: Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is a neglected disease that has been restricted to East Africa for many decades. Several cases in refugees from the Horn of Africa have been recently diagnosed in four European countries.We report four additional cases of LBRF in asylum seekers from Somalia and Eritrea who presented with fever shortly after arriving in Switzerland during a seven-month period. Multiple spirochetes were visualized on stained blood films which were identified as Borrelia recurrentis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All patients recovered after antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxone and/or doxycycline. Concurrent infections (malaria and tuberculosis) were diagnosed in half of our patients. Possible modes of transmission and preventive measures are discussed.These reported cases highlight the ongoing transmission of LBRF in migrants from East Africa. Diagnosis of LBRF cases and prevention of autochthonous transmission in asylum seeker camps are important steps for the near future.

SUBMITTER: Osthoff M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4869252 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Louse-borne relapsing fever - report of four cases in Switzerland, June-December 2015.

Osthoff Michael M Schibli Adrian A Fadini Davide D Lardelli Pietro P Goldenberger Daniel D

BMC infectious diseases 20160517

<h4>Background</h4>Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is a neglected disease that has been restricted to East Africa for many decades. Several cases in refugees from the Horn of Africa have been recently diagnosed in four European countries.<h4>Case presentation</h4>We report four additional cases of LBRF in asylum seekers from Somalia and Eritrea who presented with fever shortly after arriving in Switzerland during a seven-month period. Multiple spirochetes were visualized on stained blood film ...[more]

PMID: 27188655

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Project description:Background:Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe birth defects if contracted congenitally. Since late 2015, there has been a large increase in the number of travel-related cases of Zika virus infection in Canada. Objective:The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of travel-related Zika cases in Canada from October 2015 to June 2017 and review them in the context of the international outbreak in the Americas. Methods:Zika virus infections were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of viral RNA and/or the serological identification of ZIKV-specific antibodies in serum. Cases of ZIKV infection were identified by provincial and territorial health authorities, and reported on a regular basis to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Case information requested included date of illness onset, age category, sex, pregnancy status, and location(s) and dates of travel. Estimates for the monthly number of Canadians travelling outside of Canada to other countries in the Americas were obtained from Statistics Canada and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Data to produce the epidemic curves of autochthonous cases for each region of the Americas were extracted from country-specific epidemic curves on the Pan American Health Organization website. Results:As of June 7, 2017, 513 laboratory confirmed cases and two Zika-related birth/fetal anomalies were reported across all 10 provinces. Illness in Canadian travellers generally coincided with outbreak intensity in the country of exposure rather than travel volume. There has been no evidence of autochthonous (local) transmission in Canada. Currently, cases are on the decline both in Canada and internationally. Conclusion:The surge in Canadian ZIKV infections in 2016 was directly related to the incursion and spread of ZIKV into the Americas. Although cases are now on the decline worldwide, it remains to be seen whether a resurgence of cases in previously affected or new areas will occur. Both outbreak intensity and seasonality of ZIKV transmission should be monitored over time in order to inform the timing of public health education campaigns, as some may turn out to be more effective in the off-peak travel season when the risk of disease transmission may be higher. Ongoing education and awareness among travellers, particularly for pregnant women and those planning pregnancies, is still indicated.

Dataset Information

Louse-borne relapsing fever - report of four cases in Switzerland, June-December 2015.

Publications

Louse-borne relapsing fever - report of four cases in Switzerland, June-December 2015.

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