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Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of the most common pathogens responsible for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally, with over 80 million annual cases worldwide [1]. In Denmark, surveillance of gonorrhoea has shown a drastic increase in cases from 2022 onwards, similar to other countries across Europe [2]. In Denmark, this has particularly been observed in the Capital region and in the Northern region of Jutland in women and heterosexual men, i.e. men who have sex with women (MSW). Here, we use national surveillance data and genomics to aid our understanding of dissemination and potential drivers of N. gonorrhoeae infections., A surge in gonorrhoea in Denmark has occurred since 2022, a 46% increase from 2021. National surveillance, leveraging mandatory reporting and epidemiological data, highlights three distinct clades linked to heterosexual transmission. Despite the rise, these exhibit high susceptibility, contrasting MSM-associated strains. Geographical hotspots and age-specific patterns further illuminate transmission dynamics. The combination of genomic and epidemiological data provides novel insights into the evolving landscape of gonorrhoea, indicating potential shifts in infection dynamics and transmissibility.

Increasing rates of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) with an unusual, severe course have been reported in Canada, USA and several European countries since 2003. A new virulent strain, PCR ribotype 027 (CD027), is associated with this increase. We report the first Danish case of CDAD caused by CD027. A 85-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. Following treatment initially with penicillin, secondly with moxifloxacin she developed bloody diarrhoea. A stool specimen showed CD027. She was treated with metronidazol for ten days and recovered completely. Udgivelsesdato: 2009-May

INTRODUCTION: Two cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed at a high school. A contact investigation using Mantoux test (TST) and QuantiFERON TB in Tube test (QFT) was conducted in order to compare QFT with TST. METHODS: A total of 787 individuals were invited to participate, of whom 734 had a TST applied and 490 a QFT test done. RESULTS: Of the skin test applied 689 (94%) were read, and 41 (5.9%) were positive. TSTs were positive in 17/603 (2.8%) students and 24/87 (28%) staff members. A total of 490 (62%) had a QFT performed; 11 (2.2%) were positive and four (0,8%) inconclusive. QFT positive results were found in 8/419 (1.9%) students and 3/71 (4.2%) staff members. Agreement between the TST and the QFT was moderate 97% (Kappa 0.407; confidence interval (CI) 0.124-0.689) among students and poor among staff 68% (Kappa 0.036; CI -0.102-0.175). The majority of the TST-positive and all the QFT positive students were found in relation to the index case. Positive TST results and BCG vaccination (p < 0,05) were associated. Only 5/10 (50%) of the QFT-positive individuals were TST positive, which indicates a suboptimal TST sensitivity. CONCLUSION: The two tests identified an equal amount of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected students, whereas a high proportion of the staff were TST positive. The discordant results underline that the two tests do not measure the same and that their sensitivity is not identical. Choice of test should rest on a case-by-case analysis and should be tailored to the desired level of safety and the cost for society and for the patients. Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Sep

Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Jul, Forty-seven Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes from the 'regions of difference' RD2-7, RD9-13 and RD15 were cloned and expressed, and the purified recombinant proteins were screened for their serodiagnostic potential. Evaluation of six selected proteins in serum samples from Danish resident tuberculosis patients and healthy controls led to identification of Rv0222 as the most promising serodiagnostic antigen. Recognition of the Rv0222 was compared with the 38 kDa protein and a fusion protein of the RD1 proteins ESAT-6 and CFP10 in a serum panel from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients from Uganda. The highest overall sensitivity was observed for Rv0222 compared to BCG-vaccinated non-endemic healthy controls as well as symptomatic endemic controls. Importantly, Rv0222 identified human immuno deficiency (HIV) virus-positive patients and HIV-negative patients with the same overall sensitivity. The results emphasize the importance of cut-off values in TB endemic regions based on endemic control individuals to diagnose active TB, and identify Rv0222 as a promising new antigen for serodiagnosis of TB in both HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients.

BACKGROUND: Although tuberculosis (TB) is a minor problem in Denmark, severe and complicated cases occur in HIV positive. Since the new M. tuberculosis specific test for latent TB, the QuantiFERON-TB In-Tube test (QFT-IT) became available the patients in our clinic have been screened for the presence of latent TB using the QFT-IT test. We here report the results from the first patients screened. METHODS: On a routine basis the QFT-IT test was performed and the results from 590 HIV positive individuals consecutively tested are presented here. CD4 cell count and TB risk-factors were recorded from patient files. MAIN FINDINGS: 27/590(4.6%) of the individuals were QFT-IT test positive, indicating the presence of latent TB infection. Among QFT-IT positive patients, 78% had risk factors such as long-term residency in a TB high endemic area (OR:5.7), known TB exposure (OR:4.9) or previous TB disease (OR:4.9). The prevalence of latent TB in these groups were 13%, 16% and 19% respectively. There was a strong correlation between low CD4 T-cell count and a low mitogen response (P < 0.001;Spearman) and more patients with low CD4 cell count had indeterminate results. CONCLUSION: We found an overall prevalence of latent TB infection of 4.6% among the HIV positive individuals and a much higher prevalence of latent infection among those with a history of exposure (16%) and long term residency in a high endemic country (13%). The QFT-IT test may indeed be a useful test for HIV positive individuals, but in severely immunocompromised, the test may be impaired by T-cell anergy.