In 2022, Western Europe experienced the greatest growth in the report of diphtheria infection in 70 years. Clinical and genomic data from outbreak points towards transmission routes with migration routes installed in Europe. Rapid interventions successfully occur, yet new infections continue in the area in the strains of that period.

During 2022, many European countries reported unusually high number of infections CorinMainly affects the recent refugees. At that time, transmission of transmission within the local population of affected countries was not documented.

A new study in prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (Nejm) Now it is revealed, for the first time, the transmission route was included. A European Research Association analyzed genomic profiles from 363 bacterial isolates. These samples originated from patients from 10 countries, who reported an increase in diphtheria cases between January and November 2022, and jointly analyzed their sequencing data: Germany (118 isolates), Austria (66), United Kingdom (59), Switzerland (52), France (30), Belgium (8), (8), (8), (8).

Diphhoria transmission with migrant travel routes

The diphtheria strains reported in 2022 shared a high degree of genetic equality, which reflects a common source of transition or specific locations with migration routes in Europe where there was a continuous transmission. ,

Microbiology expert and co-first writer at Andreas Hoffrier, European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

According to the study, almost all 362 patients (98%) were male, with an average age of 18 years at the time of data collection. The majority (96%) recently traveled from its original countries to countries where diphtheria was later diagnosed. Among the 266 patients for whom country-original data were available, 222 (83%) originated from Afghanistan or Syria. The migration routes for their destinations were followed through the Western Balkan countries, with a total of 28 transit countries documentation.

Of the 346 patients with clinical data, 268 (77%) had a dermal diphtheria, which affects the skin, while 52 (15%) had a respiratory form that attacks the airway. “Diphtheria presents with a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. Particularly apprehensive-produced bacteria are respiratory complications, which can be a threat to life,” explains Adrian EGLI, one of the Director and Study Leaders of Medical Microbiology at the University of Medical Microbiology at the University of Medical Microbiology.

Rapid exchange of sequencing data enables Swift reaction across Europe

Sylvan Bris, a professor and another lead author of the study at the institute Pasteur, said, “Genomic sequencing data is allowed to be faster between reporting countries.

In 2022, the Austria’s first respiratory diphtheria case in about 30 years highlights the significant importance of international cooperation in the cross-border information sharing and an outbreak response, “Stephanie Shindleer, Austrian agency for Health and Food Safety (AGE) and co-director of the study call a microbiologist of the co-director of the study. Diphtheria saw the dramatic growth of bacteria, and initially informed our Austrian and Swiss colleagues in the informal European diphtheria networks, “Andreas Sing, Head of the Bavian Health and Food Safety Authority, Head of the National Reference Laboratory of Germany.

The sequencing analysis provided insight into the antibiotics of bacterial strains, later confirmed by antimicrobial sensitivity testing. This information was important in guiding public health measures, including identification and screening for resistance to antibiotics such as erythromycin.

Update vaccination and be cautious

The vaccination of affected patients was challenging to assess due to incomplete medical documentation. According to the available data, only four patients were vaccinated against diphtheria, 10 reported to be unwanted, and 290 patients vaccinated. For those who have completed their diphtheria vaccination series, the possibility of contracting the disease is very low. Typically, 10 years after the final dose is sufficient to maintain a booster vaccination protection.

The ECDC specialist has concluded Silvia Funche, vaccine-pre-diseases that “the study shows how important it is to ensure that everyone’s vaccination status against diphtheria is up-to-date, with migrants such as migrants, such as migrants, people who need to invite signs, which requires any links to the signs that require marks.

By the end of 2022, rapid intervention such as contact tracing and screening for secondary cases prevented outbreaks. However, genomic data suggest that some strains continue to be broadcast, causing continuous vigilance by public health officials and healthcare providers. “To date, neither the entire range of circulation, nor the exact location of infection has been determined. That is why both public health professionals and healthcare providers need to be cautious to avoid further spread of diphtheria in Europe,” Hafar insisted.

Diphtheria: Disease and Vaccination

Diphtheria is a notable, vaccine-pre-contagious infectious disease caused by toxic-producing bacteria, mainly Corin And Coinbacterium ulcerationTransmission occurs through respiratory drops from infected individuals (eg, cough or sneezing). The dermal diphtheria can be transmitted through direct contact with wounds or wounds of infected individuals. The only important reservoirs for humans are C. DiphtheriaDiphtheria can transport bacteria to others, both symptomatic or touching, bacteria infected with bacteria.

Due to large -scale vaccination with effective vaccines, diphtheria is now rare in Europe, in recent decades, global affairs have decreased significantly. Diphtheria vaccination is part of national regular vaccination programs across Europe, often combined with other vaccines.