83 results on '"Olav Hungnes"'
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2. Correction: antigenic drift and immunity gap explain reduction in protective responses against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of human sera collected in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023
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Even Fossum, Andreas Rohringer, Torstein Aune, Kjersti Margrethe Rydland, Karoline Bragstad, and Olav Hungnes
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Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Published
- 2024
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3. Antigenic drift and immunity gap explain reduction in protective responses against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of human sera collected in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023
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Even Fossum, Andreas Rohringer, Torstein Aune, Kjersti Margrethe Rydland, Karoline Bragstad, and Olav Hungnes
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Influenza ,Serology ,Antibody ,A(H1N1)pdm09 ,A(H3N2) ,Antigenic drift ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a marked reduction in influenza infections globally. The absence of influenza has raised concerns of waning immunity, and potentially more severe influenza seasons after the pandemic. Methods To evaluate immunity towards influenza post-COVID-19 pandemic we have assessed influenza A epidemics in Norway from October 2016 to June 2023 and measured antibodies against circulating strains of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) in different age groups by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays in a total of 3364 serum samples collected in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Results Influenza epidemics in Norway from October 2016 until June 2023 were predominately influenza As, with a mixture of A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) subtype predominance. We did not observe higher numbers of infections during the influenza epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic than in pre-COVID-19 seasons. Frequencies of protective HAI titers against A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses were reduced in sera collected in 2021 and 2022, compared to sera collected in 2019. The reduction could, however, largely be explained by antigenic drift of new virus strains, as protective HAI titers remained stable against the same strain from one season to the next. However, we observed the development of an immunity gap in the youngest children during the pandemic which resulted in a prominent reduction in HAI titers against A(H1N1)pdm09 in 2021 and 2022. The immunity gap was partially closed in sera collected in 2023 following the A(H1N1)pdm09-dominated influenza seasons of 2022/2023. During the 2022/2023 epidemic, drift variants of A(H1N1)pdm09 belonging to the 5a.2a.1 clade emerged, and pre-season HAI titers were significantly lower against this clade compared to the ancestral 5a.2 clade. Conclusion The observed reduction in protective antibodies against A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses post COVID-19 is best explained by antigenic drift of emerging viruses, and not waning of antibody responses in the general population. However, the absence of influenza during the pandemic resulted in an immunity gap in the youngest children. While this immunity gap was partially closed following the 2022/2023 influenza season, children with elevated risk of severe infection should be prioritized for vaccination.
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- 2024
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4. Frequency and risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections in Norway: a nation-wide study, February 2020 to January 2022
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Håkon Bøås, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, German Tapia, Anja Bråthen Kristoffersen, Astrid Louise Løvlie, Ketil Størdal, Trude Marie Lyngstad, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, and Lamprini Veneti
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Reinfections ,Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,Omicron ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 reinfection rates have been shown to vary depending on the circulating variant, vaccination status and background immunity, as well as the time interval used to identify reinfections. This study describes the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections in Norway using different time intervals and assesses potential factors that could impact the risk of reinfections during the different variant waves. Methods We used linked individual-level data from national registries to conduct a retrospective cohort study including all cases with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 from February 2020 to January 2022. Time intervals of 30, 60, 90 or 180 days between positive tests were used to define potential reinfections. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the risk of reinfection in terms of variants adjusting for vaccination status, demographic factors, and underlying comorbidities. Results The reinfection rate varied between 0.2%, 0.6% and 5.9% during the Alpha, Delta and early Omicron waves, respectively. In the multivariable model, younger age groups were associated with a higher risk of reinfection compared to older age groups, whereas vaccination was associated with protection against reinfection. Moreover, the risk of reinfection followed a pattern similar to risk of first infection. Individuals infected early in the pandemic had higher risk of reinfection than individuals infected in more recent waves. Conclusions Reinfections increased markedly during the Omicron wave. Younger individuals, and primary infections during earlier waves were associated with an increased reinfection risk compared to primary infections during more recent waves, whereas vaccination was a protective factor. Our results highlight the importance of age and post infection waning immunity and are relevant when evaluating vaccination polices.
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- 2024
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5. Effectiveness of BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron infection in adolescents, Norway, August 2021 to January 2022
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Lamprini Veneti, Jacob Dag Berild, Sara Viksmoen Watle, Jostein Starrfelt, Margrethe Greve-Isdahl, Petter Langlete, Håkon Bøås, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, and Hinta Meijerink
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Vaccine effectiveness ,BNT162b2 ,Delta ,Omicron ,Adolescents ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Objectives: We estimated the BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against any (symptomatic or not) SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron infection among adolescents (aged 12-17 years) in Norway from August 2021 to January 2022. Methods: We used Cox proportional hazard models, where vaccine status was included as a time-varying covariate and models were adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, residence county, birth country, and living conditions. Results: The VE against Delta infection peaked at 68% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64-71%) and 62% (95% CI: 57-66%) in days 21-48 after the first dose among those aged 12-15 years and 16-17 years, respectively. Among those aged 16-17 years who received two doses, the VE against Delta infection peaked at 93% (95% CI: 90-95%) in days 35-62 and decreased to 84% (95% CI: 76-89%) in ≥63 days after vaccination. We did not observe a protective effect against Omicron infection after receiving one dose. Among those aged 16-17 years, the VE against Omicron infection peaked at 53% (95% CI: 43-62%) in 7-34 days after the second dose and decreased to 23% (95% CI: 3-40%) in ≥63 days after vaccination. Conclusion: We found a reduced protection after two BNT162b2 vaccine doses against any Omicron infection compared to Delta. Effectiveness decreased with time from vaccination for both variants. The impact of vaccination among adolescents on reducing infection and thus transmission is limited during the Omicron dominance.
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- 2023
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6. Immune responses in Omicron SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in vaccinated adults
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Hassen Kared, Asia-Sophia Wolf, Amin Alirezaylavasani, Anthony Ravussin, Guri Solum, Trung The Tran, Fridtjof Lund-Johansen, John Torgils Vaage, Lise Sofie Nissen-Meyer, Unni C. Nygaard, Olav Hungnes, Anna H. Robertson, Lisbeth Meyer Næss, Lill Trogstad, Per Magnus, Ludvig A. Munthe, and Siri Mjaaland
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Science - Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant possess many mutations within the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein, which confer increased transmissibility and higher antibody escape. Here, the authors carry out analysis of the serological and cellular immune responses of individuals with Omicron breakthrough infection.
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- 2022
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7. Risk factors, immune response and whole‐genome sequencing of SARS‐CoV‐2 in a cruise ship outbreak in Norway
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Kirsten Gravningen, Stian Henriksen, Olav Hungnes, Kristian Svendsen, Emily MacDonald, Henrik Schirmer, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, Gunnar Skov Simonsen, Oliver Kacelnik, Petter Elstrøm, Karoline Bragstad, and Christine Hanssen Rinaldo
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Outbreak investigation ,Cruise ship ,COVID-19 ,Epidemiology ,Immunity ,Whole-genome sequencing ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Objective: To improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2-transmission and prevention measures on cruise ships, we investigated a Norwegian cruise ship outbreak from July to August 2020 using a multidisciplinary approach after a rapid outbreak response launched by local and national health authorities. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among crew members using epidemiologic data and results from SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharynx-oropharynx samples, antibody analyses of blood samples, and whole-genome sequencing. Results: We included 114 multinational crew members (71% participation), median age 36 years, and 69% male. The attack rate was 33%; 32 of 37 outbreak cases were seropositive 5-10 days after PCR. One PCR-negative participant was seropositive, suggesting a previous infection. Network-analysis showed clusters based on common exposures, including embarkation date, nationality, sharing a cabin with an infected cabin-mate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-11.07, p = 0.057), and specific workplaces (mechanical operations: 9.17 [1.82-45.78], catering: 6.11 [1.83-20.38]). Breaches in testing, quarantine, and isolation practices before/during expeditions were reported. Whole-genome sequencing revealed lineage B.1.36, previously identified in Asia. Despite extensive sequencing, the continued transmission of B.1.36 in Norway was not detected. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the high risk of SARS-CoV-2-transmission on cruise ships related to workplace and cabin type and show that continued community transmission after the outbreak could be stopped by implementing immediate infection control measures at the final destination.
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- 2022
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8. No difference in risk of hospitalization between reported cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and Alpha variant in Norway
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Lamprini Veneti, Beatriz Valcarcel Salamanca, Elina Seppälä, Jostein Starrfelt, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Håkon Bøås, Reidar Kvåle, Line Vold, Karin Nygård, Eirik Alnes Buanes, and Robert Whittaker
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Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Hospitalization ,Variants of concern ,Delta ,Alpha ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
ABSTRACT: Objectives: To estimate the risk of hospitalization among reported cases of the Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with the Alpha variant in Norway, and the risk of hospitalization by vaccination status. Methods: A cohort study was conducted on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway, diagnosed between 3 May and 15 August 2021. Adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multi-variable log-binomial regression, accounting for variant, vaccination status, demographic characteristics, week of sampling and underlying comorbidities. Results: In total, 7977 cases of the Delta variant and 12,078 cases of the Alpha variant were included in this study. Overall, 347 (1.7%) cases were hospitalized. The aRR of hospitalization for the Delta variant compared with the Alpha variant was 0.97 (95% CI 0.76–1.23). Partially vaccinated cases had a 72% reduced risk of hospitalization (95% CI 59–82%), and fully vaccinated cases had a 76% reduced risk of hospitalization (95% CI 61–85%) compared with unvaccinated cases. Conclusions: No difference was found between the risk of hospitalization for Delta cases and Alpha cases in Norway. The results of this study support the notion that partially and fully vaccinated cases are highly protected against hospitalization with coronavirus disease 2019.
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- 2022
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9. The burden of hospital-attended influenza in Norwegian children
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Håkon Bøås, Terese Bekkevold, Lise Beier Havdal, Anne-Marte Bakken Kran, Astrid Elisabeth Rojahn, Ketil Størdal, Sara Debes, Henrik Døllner, Svein Arne Nordbø, Bjørn Barstad, Elisebet Haarr, Liliana Vázquez Fernández, Britt Nakstad, Truls Michael Leegaard, Olav Hungnes, Elmira Flem, Norwegian Enhanced Pediatric Immunisation Surveillance (NorEPIS) Network, and Christopher Inchley
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hospital-attended influenza ,pediatric ,children ,surveillance ,disease burden ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Abstract
BackgroundNorwegian health authorities do not recommend universal pediatric vaccination against seasonal influenza. We aimed to estimate the incidence of influenza by age and underlying medical conditions in hospitalized Norwegian children aged
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- 2022
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10. Molecular Epidemiology of the Norwegian SARS-CoV-2 Delta Lineage AY.63
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Line Victoria Moen, Hilde Synnøve Vollan, Jon Bråte, Olav Hungnes, and Karoline Bragstad
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Delta ,AY.63 ,Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Extensive genomic surveillance has given great insights into the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and emerging variants. During the summer months of 2021, Norway was dominated by the Pango lineage AY.63 which is a sub-lineage of the highly transmissible Delta variant. Strikingly, AY.63 did not spread in other countries to any significant extent. AY.63 carried a key mutation, A222V, in the spike protein, as well as the deletion of three residues in nsp1. Although these mutations are close to functionally important areas, we did not find any evidence that they induced higher fitness compared to other Delta lineages. This variant was introduced to Norway at a time when there were low levels of SARS-CoV-2 and contact-reducing measures were relaxed, which probably explains why the lineage rose so quickly. Furthermore, we found that the lack of imports of AY.63 from other countries probably led to the eventual demise of the lineage in Norway.
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- 2022
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11. Delayed Laboratory Response to COVID-19 Caused by Molecular Diagnostic Contamination
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Ramona Mögling, Adam Meijer, Natasa Berginc, Sylvia Bruisten, Remi Charrel, Bruno Coutard, Isabella Eckerle, Vincent Enouf, Olav Hungnes, Gülay Korukluoglu, Thanos Kossyvakis, Andreas Mentis, Richard Molenkamp, Shaman Muradrasoli, Anna Papa, Fiona Pigny, Laurence Thirion, Sylvie van der Werf, and Chantal Reusken
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delayed laboratory response ,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ,SARS-CoV-2 ,coronaviruses ,viruses ,coronavirus disease ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) created an exceptional situation in which numerous laboratories in Europe simultaneously implemented SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. These laboratories reported in February 2020 that commercial primer and probe batches for SARS-CoV-2 detection were contaminated with synthetic control material, causing delays of regional testing roll-out in various countries.
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- 2020
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12. Risk of pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes after maternal A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza: a Norwegian population-based cohort study
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Ida Laake, Gro Tunheim, Anna Hayman Robertson, Olav Hungnes, Kristian Waalen, Siri E. Håberg, Siri Mjaaland, and Lill Trogstad
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Influenza ,Pandemic ,A(H1N1)pdm09 ,Antibodies ,Pregnancy ,Birth outcomes ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background The effects of maternal influenza infection on the fetus remain unclear. We studied mild influenza and influenza antibodies in relation to birth weight and risks of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) birth among the unvaccinated participants in the Norwegian Influenza Pregnancy Cohort. Methods Pregnant women attending a routine ultrasound were recruited from four hospitals in Norway shortly after the 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic. The present study was restricted to unvaccinated participants who were pregnant during the pandemic. Information on the participants was obtained through questionnaires and linkage with national registries. Maternal blood samples were collected at delivery. Women with laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza, a clinical diagnosis of influenza, or self-reported influenza during the pandemic were classified as having had influenza. A(H1N1)pdm09-specific antibodies in serum were detected with the hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Detection of antibodies was considered an indicator of infection during the pandemic in the unvaccinated participants. Odds ratios were estimated with logistic regression. Quantile regression was used to estimate differences in the distribution of birth weight. Results Among the 1258 women included in this study, there were 37 cases of pre-eclampsia, 41 births were PTB, and 103 births were SGA. 226 women (18.0%) had influenza during the pandemic. The majority of cases did not receive medical care, and only a small proportion (1.3%) of the cases were hospitalized. Thus, the cases consisted primarily of women with mild illness. No significant associations between influenza and risk of pre-eclampsia, PTB, or SGA birth were observed. Detection of A(H1N1)pdm09-specific antibodies was associated with a lower 10th percentile of birth weight, β = − 159 g (95% CI − 309, − 9). Conclusions Mild influenza illness during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia, PTB or SGA birth. However, influenza infection during pregnancy may reduce the birth weight of the smallest children.
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- 2018
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13. Increased risk of hospitalisation and intensive care admission associated with reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Norway, December 2020 -May 2021.
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Lamprini Veneti, Elina Seppälä, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Beatriz Valcarcel Salamanca, Eirik Alnes Buanes, Nina Aasand, Umaer Naseer, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Håkon Bøås, Reidar Kvåle, Karan Golestani, Siri Feruglio, Line Vold, Karin Nygård, and Robert Whittaker
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
IntroductionSince their emergence, SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 have spread worldwide. We estimated the risk of hospitalisation and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for infections with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Norway, compared to infections with non-VOC.Materials and methodsUsing linked individual-level data from national registries, we conducted a cohort study on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway diagnosed between 28 December 2020 and 2 May 2021. Variants were identified based on whole genome sequencing, partial sequencing by Sanger sequencing or PCR screening for selected targets. The outcome was hospitalisation or ICU admission. We calculated adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable binomial regression to examine the association between SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 with i) hospital admission and ii) ICU admission compared to non-VOC.ResultsWe included 23,169 cases of B.1.1.7, 548 B.1.351 and 4,584 non-VOC. Overall, 1,017 cases were hospitalised (3.6%) and 206 admitted to ICU (0.7%). B.1.1.7 was associated with a 1.9-fold increased risk of hospitalisation (aRR 95%CI 1.6-2.3) and a 1.8-fold increased risk of ICU admission (aRR 95%CI 1.2-2.8) compared to non-VOC. Among hospitalised cases, no difference was found in the risk of ICU admission between B.1.1.7 and non-VOC. B.1.351 was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk of hospitalisation (aRR 95%CI 1.7-3.3) and a 2.7-fold increased risk of ICU admission (aRR 95%CI 1.2-6.5) compared to non-VOC.DiscussionOur findings add to the growing evidence of a higher risk of severe disease among persons infected with B.1.1.7 or B.1.351. This highlights the importance of prevention and control measures to reduce transmission of these VOC in society, particularly ongoing vaccination programmes, and preparedness plans for hospital surge capacity.
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- 2021
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14. Comprehensive Contact Tracing, Testing and Sequencing Show Limited Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between Children in Schools in Norway, August 2020 to May 2021
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Brita Askeland Winje, Trine Skogset Ofitserova, Ola Brønstad Brynildsrud, Margrethe Greve-Isdahl, Karoline Bragstad, Rikard Rykkvin, Olav Hungnes, Hilde Marie Lund, Karin Nygård, Hinta Meijerink, and Lin Thorstensen Brandal
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SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,child ,contact ,transmission ,whole genome sequencing ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
The role of children in the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in schools has been a topic of controversy. In this study among school contacts of SARS-CoV-2 positive children in 43 contact-investigations, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Norway, August 2020–May 2021. All participants were tested twice within seven to ten days, using SARS-CoV-2 PCR on home-sampled saliva. Positive samples were whole genome sequenced. Among the 559 child contacts, eight tested positive (1.4%, 95% CI 0.62–2.80), with no significant difference between primary (1.0%, 95% CI 0.27–2.53) and secondary schools (2.6%, 95% CI 0.70–6.39), p = 0.229, nor by viral strain, non-Alpha (1.4%, 95% CI 0.50–2.94) and Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) (1.7%, 95% CI 0.21–5.99), p = 0.665. One adult contact (1/100) tested positive. In 34 index cases, we detected 13 different SARS-CoV-2 Pango lineage variants, with B.1.1.7 being most frequent. In the eight contact-investigations with SARS-CoV-2 positive contacts, four had the same sequence identity as the index, one had no relation, and three were inconclusive. With mitigation measures in place, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from children in schools is limited. By excluding contact-investigations with adult cases known at the time of enrolment, our data provide a valid estimate on the role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools.
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- 2021
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15. Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Showing Higher Viral Load and Increased Transmissibility of the Alpha Variant Compared to Previous Strains
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Cathinka Halle Julin, Anna Hayman Robertson, Olav Hungnes, Gro Tunheim, Terese Bekkevold, Ida Laake, Idunn Forland Aune, Marit Fodnes Killengreen, Torunn Ramsem Strand, Rikard Rykkvin, Dagny Haug Dorenberg, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, Einar Sverre Berg, Johanna Eva Bodin, Fredrik Oftung, Anneke Steens, and Lisbeth Meyer Næss
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household transmission ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,Alpha variant ,B.1.1.7 ,secondary attack rate ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
We studied the secondary attack rate (SAR), risk factors, and precautionary practices of household transmission in a prospective, longitudinal study. We further compared transmission between the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant and non-Variant of Concern (non-VOC) viruses. From May 2020 throughout April 2021, we recruited 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 146 household contacts. Participants donated biological samples eight times over 6 weeks and answered questionnaires. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Whole genome sequencing and droplet digital PCR were used to establish virus variant and viral load. SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurred in 60% of the households, and the overall SAR for household contacts was 50%. The SAR was significantly higher for the Alpha variant (78%) compared with non-VOC viruses (43%) and was associated with a higher viral load. SAR was higher in household contacts aged ≥40 years (69%) than in younger contacts (40–47%), and for contacts of primary cases with loss of taste/smell. Children had lower viral loads and were more often asymptomatic than adults. Sleeping separately from the primary case reduced the risk of transmission. In conclusion, we found substantial household transmission, particularly for the Alpha variant. Precautionary practices seem to reduce SAR, but preventing household transmission may become difficult with more contagious variants, depending on vaccine use and effectiveness.
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- 2021
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16. Human to animal transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in a turkey breeder flock in Norway
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Siri Kulberg Sjurseth, Britt Gjerset, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Helene Wisløff, Chiek Er, Mette Valheim, Siri M. Løtvedt, Bruce David, Skjalg A. Hanssen, Siri H. Hauge, and Merete Hofshagen
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Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 ,turkey ,anthroponosis ,artificial insemination ,egg production ,pandemic influenza ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Introduction: Routine surveillance samples disclosed seropositivity to influenza A virus (IAV) in a Norwegian turkey breeder flock. Simultaneous reports of influenza-like symptoms in farm workers and a laboratory confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (H1N1pdm09) infection in one person led to the suspicion of a H1N1pdm09 infection in the turkeys. Animals and methods: H1N1pdm09 infection was confirmed by a positive haemaggutinin inhibition test using H1N1pdm09 antigens, and detection of H1N1pdm09 nucleic acid in reproductive organs of turkey hens. The flock showed no clinical signs except for a temporary drop in egg production. Previous reports of H1N1pdm09 infection in turkeys suggested human-to-turkey transmission (anthroponosis) during artificial insemination. Results and discussion: The flock remained seropositive to IAV and the homologous H1N1pdm09 antigen throughout the following 106 days, with decreasing seroprevalence over time. IAV was not detected in fertilised eggs or in turkey poults from the farm, however, maternally derived antibodies against H1N1pdm09 were found in egg yolks and in day-old poults. Genetic analyses of haemagglutinin gene sequences from one of the infected farm workers and turkeys revealed a close phylogenetic relationship, and confirmed human-to-turkey virus transmission.
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- 2017
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17. Distinct T and NK cell populations may serve as immune correlates of protection against symptomatic pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus infection during pregnancy.
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Miloje Savic, Jennifer L Dembinski, Ida Laake, Olav Hungnes, Rebecca Cox, Fredrik Oftung, Lill Trogstad, and Siri Mjaaland
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Maternal influenza infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. However, the link between the anti-influenza immune responses and health-related risks during infection is not well understood. We have analyzed memory T and NK cell mediated immunity (CMI) responses in pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (pdm09) virus infected non-vaccinated pregnant women participating in the Norwegian Influenza Pregnancy Cohort (NorFlu). The cohort includes information on immunization, self-reported health and disease status, and biological samples (plasma and PBMC). Infected cases (N = 75) were defined by having a serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer > = 20 to influenza pdm09 virus at the time of delivery, while controls (N = 75) were randomly selected among non-infected pregnant women (HI titer
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- 2017
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18. Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza Virus A (H1N1), Europe, 2007–08 Season
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Adam Meijer, Angie Lackenby, Olav Hungnes, Bruno Lina, Sylvie van der Werf, Brunhilde Schweiger, Matthias Opp, John Paget, Jan van de Kassteele, Alan Hay, and Maria Zambon
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viruses ,antimicrobial resistance ,influenza A virus ,H1N1 ,antiviral agents ,oseltamivir ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
In Europe, the 2007–08 winter season was dominated by influenza virus A (H1N1) circulation through week 7, followed by influenza B virus from week 8 onward. Oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses A (H1N1) (ORVs) with H275Y mutation in the neuraminidase emerged independently of drug use. By country, the proportion of ORVs ranged from 0% to 68%, with the highest proportion in Norway. The average weighted prevalence of ORVs across Europe increased gradually over time, from near 0 in week 40 of 2007 to 56% in week 19 of 2008 (mean 20%). Neuraminidase genes of ORVs possessing the H275Y substitution formed a homogeneous subgroup closely related to, but distinguishable from, those of oseltamivir-sensitive influenza viruses A (H1N1). Minor variants of ORVs emerged independently, indicating multiclonal ORVs. Overall, the clinical effect of ORVs in Europe, measured by influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infection, was unremarkable and consistent with normal seasonal activity.
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- 2009
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19. Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza Viruses A (H1N1), Norway, 2007–08
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Siri H. Hauge, Susanne Dudman, Katrine Borgen, Angie Lackenby, and Olav Hungnes
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Norway ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
In Norway in January 2008, unprecedented levels of oseltamivir resistance were found in 12 of 16 influenza viruses A (H1N1) tested. To investigate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of these viruses, we used sequence analysis to test all available subtype H1N1 viruses from the 2007–08 season for resistance. Questionnaires from physicians provided information on predisposing diseases, oseltamivir use, symptoms, and complications. Clinical data were obtained for 265 patients. In total, 183 (67.3%) of 272 viruses were oseltamivir resistant. Resistance was not associated with prior use of antiviral drugs. Symptoms and hospitalization rates did not differ for patients infected with a resistant or a susceptible virus. Oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses A (H1N1) did not show diminished capability to spread in the absence of selective pressure. The ability of these viruses to sustain their fitness and spread among persons should be considered when shaping future strategies for treating and preventing seasonal and pandemic influenza.
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- 2009
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20. Trends in seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 and infection fatality rate in the Norwegian population through the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic
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Olav Hungnes, Eline Benno Vaage, Anette Kolderup, Fridtjof Lund-Johansen, Gunnar Øyvind Isaksson Rø, Anne-Marte Bakken Kran, Jan Terje Andersen, Gro Tunheim, Trung Tran, and John T. Vaage
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Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine ,infection fatality rate ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Epidemiology ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Population ,infection hospitalization rate ,Norwegian ,Antibodies, Viral ,SARS‐CoV‐2 ,COVID‐19 ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,Case fatality rate ,Pandemic ,Credible interval ,Humans ,Medicine ,Seroprevalence ,education ,Pandemics ,education.field_of_study ,seroprevalence ,Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Original Articles ,language.human_language ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Infectious Diseases ,language ,Original Article ,business ,Demography - Abstract
Background Infection with the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 induces antibodies that can be used as a proxy for COVID‐19. We present a repeated nationwide cross‐sectional study assessing the seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2, the infection fatality rate (IFR), and infection hospitalization rate (IHR) during the first year of the pandemic in Norway. Methods Residual serum samples were solicited in April/May 2020 (Round 1), in July/August 2020 (Round 2) and in January 2021 (Round 3). Antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 were measured using a flow cytometer‐based assay. Aggregate data on confirmed cases, COVID‐19‐associated deaths and hospitalizations were obtained from the Emergency preparedness registry for COVID‐19 (Beredt C19), and the seroprevalence estimates were used to estimate IFR and IHR. Results Antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 were measured in 4840 samples. The estimated seroprevalence increased from 0.8% (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.4%–1.3%) after the first wave of the pandemic (Rounds 1 and 2 combined) to 3.2% (95% CrI 2.3%–4.2%) (Round 3). The IFR and IHR were higher in the first wave than in the second wave and increased with age. The IFR was 0.2% (95% CrI 0.1%–0.3%), and IHR was 0.9% (95% CrI 0.6%–1.5%) for the second wave. Conclusions The seroprevalence estimates show a cumulative increase of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections over time in the Norwegian population and suggest some under‐recording of confirmed cases. The IFR and IHR were low, corresponding to the relatively low number of COVID‐19‐associated deaths and hospitalizations in Norway. Most of the Norwegian population was still susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection after the first year of the pandemic.
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- 2021
21. Immunity in Omicron SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough COVID-19 in vaccinated adults
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Hassen Kared, Asia-Sophia Wolf, Amin Alirezaylavasani, Anthony Ravussin, Guri Solum, Trung The Tran, Fridtjof Lund-Johansen, John Torgils Vaage, Lise Sofie Nissen-Meyer, Unni C. Nygaard, Olav Hungnes, Anna H Robertson, Lisbeth Meyer Næss, Lill Trogstad, Per Magnus, Ludvig A Munthe, and Siri Mjaaland
- Abstract
The new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) Omicron has more than 30 mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the Spike protein enabling viral escape from antibodies in vaccinated individuals and increased transmissibility1-6. It is unclear how vaccine immunity protects against Omicron infection. Here we show that vaccinated participants at a superspreader event had robust recall response of humoral and pre-existing cellular immunity induced by the vaccines, and an emergentde novoT cell response to non-Spike antigens. We compared cases from a Christmas party where 81 of 110 (74%) developed Omicron breakthrough COVID-197, with Delta breakthrough cases and vaccinated non-infected controls. Omicron cases had significantly increased activated SARS-CoV-2 wild type Spike-specific (vaccine) cytotoxic T cells, activated follicular helper (TFH) cells, functional T cell responses, boosted humoral responses, activated anti-Spike plasmablasts and anti-RBD memory B cells compared to controls. Omicron cases had significantly increasedde novomemory T cell responses to non-Spike viral antigens compared to Delta breakthrough cases demonstrating development of broad immunity. The rapid release of Spike and RBD-specific IgG+B cell plasmablasts and memory B cells into circulation suggested affinity maturation of antibodies and that concerted T and B cell immunity may provide durable broad immunity.
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- 2022
22. Reduced risk of hospitalisation among reported COVID-19 cases infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant compared with the Delta variant, Norway, December 2021 to January 2022
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Lamprini Veneti, Håkon Bøås, Anja Bråthen Kristoffersen, Jeanette Stålcrantz, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Nina Aasand, Gunnar Rø, Jostein Starrfelt, Elina Seppälä, Reidar Kvåle, Line Vold, Karin Nygård, Eirik Alnes Buanes, and Robert Whittaker
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Hospitalization ,Epidemiology ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Virology ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Humans ,Proportional Hazards Models - Abstract
We included 39,524 COVID-19 Omicron and 51,481 Delta cases reported in Norway from December 2021 to January 2022. We estimated a 73% reduced risk of hospitalisation (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.20–0.36) for Omicron compared with Delta. Compared with unvaccinated groups, Omicron cases who had completed primary two-dose vaccination 7–179 days before diagnosis had a lower reduced risk than Delta (66% vs 93%). People vaccinated with three doses had a similar risk reduction (86% vs 88%).
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- 2022
23. Prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the Norwegian population, August 2021
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Gro Tunheim, Gunnar Øyvind Isaksson Rø, Adity Chopra, Audun Aase, Anne‐Marte Bakken Kran, John Torgils Vaage, Fridtjof Lund‐Johansen, and Olav Hungnes
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Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine ,COVID-19 Vaccines ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Epidemiology ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Nucleocapsid Proteins ,Antibodies, Viral ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Infectious Diseases ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,Immunoglobulin G ,Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus ,Prevalence ,Humans ,Female ,Child ,Pandemics - Abstract
Background One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Norway was still low. In January 2021, when the Norwegian COVID-19 vaccination campaign started, the national seroprevalence estimate of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 3.2%. We have conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study in August 2021 to investigate the overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Norway after 8 months of COVID-19 mass vaccination and a third wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Residual sera were collected from laboratories across Norway in August 2021. In IgG antibodies against the spike protein, the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 were measured by a bead-based flow cytometric assay. Results In total, 1926 residual sera were collected from individuals aged 0–98 years; 55.1% were from women. The overall national estimated seroprevalence from vaccination and/or infection was 62.6% (credible interval [CrI] 60.1%–65.2%) based on having antibodies against both spike and RBD. Estimated seroprevalence increased with age. Among all samples, 11.7% had antibodies against nucleocapsid. For unvaccinated children
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- 2022
24. The burden of hospital-attended influenza in Norwegian children
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Håkon, Bøås, Terese, Bekkevold, Lise Beier, Havdal, Anne-Marte Bakken, Kran, Astrid Elisabeth, Rojahn, Ketil, Størdal, Sara, Debes, Henrik, Døllner, Svein Arne, Nordbø, Bjørn, Barstad, Elisebet, Haarr, Liliana, Vázquez Fernández, Britt, Nakstad, Truls Michael, Leegaard, Olav, Hungnes, and Elmira, Flem
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Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health - Abstract
BackgroundNorwegian health authorities do not recommend universal pediatric vaccination against seasonal influenza. We aimed to estimate the incidence of influenza by age and underlying medical conditions in hospitalized Norwegian children aged MethodsActive surveillance for influenza in children ResultsIn 309 (10%) out of 3,010 hospital contacts, the child tested positive for influenza, corresponding to an average incidence of 0.96 hospital-attended influenza cases per 1,000 children ConclusionsChildren
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- 2022
25. Detection of anti‐NS1 antibodies after pandemic influenza exposure: Evaluation of a serological method for distinguishing H1N1pdm09 infected from vaccinated cases
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Anna Hayman Robertson, Walter Ian Lipkin, Gro Tunheim, Miloje Savic, Siri Mjaaland, Milada Mahic, Olav Hungnes, and Lill Trogstad
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Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine ,Epidemiology ,NS1 ,serology ,Viral Nonstructural Proteins ,030312 virology ,Antibodies, Viral ,Serology ,Cohort Studies ,03 medical and health sciences ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Influenza, Human ,Pandemic ,Animals ,Humans ,Medicine ,Serologic Tests ,0303 health sciences ,Pregnancy ,Hemagglutination assay ,biology ,H1N1pdm09 ,business.industry ,pandemic ,Vaccination ,Ferrets ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Pandemic influenza ,Original Articles ,medicine.disease ,Virology ,Infectious Diseases ,Influenza Vaccines ,Cohort ,biology.protein ,Original Article ,Antibody ,influenza ,business - Abstract
Background Reliable exposure information is crucial for assessing health outcomes of influenza infection and vaccination. Current serological methods are unable to distinguish between anti‐hemagglutinin (HA) antibodies induced by infection or vaccination. Objectives We aimed to explore an alternative method for differentiating influenza infection and vaccination. Methods Sera from animals inoculated with influenza viruses or purified H1N1pdm09 HA were obtained. Human samples were selected from a pregnancy cohort established during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Unvaccinated, laboratory‐confirmed cases (N = 18), vaccinated cases without influenza‐like‐illness (N = 18) and uninfected, unvaccinated controls (N = 18) were identified based on exposure data from questionnaires, national registries and maternal hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titres at delivery. Animal and human samples were tested for antibodies against the non‐structural protein 1 (NS1) and HA from H1N1pdm09, using a Luciferase Immunoprecipitation System (LIPS). Results Anti‐NS1 H1N1pdm09 antibodies were detected in sera from experimentally infected, but not from vaccinated, animals. Anti‐HA H1N1pdm09 antibodies were detectable after either of these exposures. In human samples, 28% of individuals with laboratory‐confirmed influenza were seropositive for H1N1pdm09 NS1, whereas vaccinated cases and controls were seronegative. There was a trend for H1N1pdm09 NS1 seropositive cases reporting more severe and longer duration of symptomatic illness than seronegative cases. Anti‐HA H1N1pdm09 antibodies were detected in all cases and in 61% of controls. Conclusions The LIPS method could differentiate between sera from experimentally infected and vaccinated animals. However, in human samples obtained more than 6 months after the pandemic, LIPS was specific, but not sufficiently sensitive for ascertaining cases by exposure.
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- 2020
26. Risk factors, immune response and whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in a cruise ship outbreak in Norway
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Kirsten Gravningen, Stian Henriksen, Olav Hungnes, Kristian Svendsen, Emily MacDonald, Henrik Schirmer, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, Gunnar Skov Simonsen, Oliver Kacelnik, Petter Elstrøm, Karoline Bragstad, and Christine Hanssen Rinaldo
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Microbiology (medical) ,Adult ,Male ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Immunity ,COVID-19 ,General Medicine ,Disease Outbreaks ,Infectious Diseases ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Risk Factors ,Humans ,Female ,Ships - Abstract
Objective To improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2-transmission and prevention measures on cruise ships, we investigated a Norwegian cruise ship outbreak from July to August 2020 using a multidisciplinary approach after a rapid outbreak response launched by local and national health authorities. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among crew members using epidemiologic data and results from SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharynx-oropharynx samples, antibody analyses of blood samples, and whole-genome sequencing. Results We included 114 multinational crew members (71% participation), median age 36 years, and 69% male. The attack rate was 33%; 32 of 37 outbreak cases were seropositive 5-10 days after PCR. One PCR-negative participant was seropositive, suggesting a previous infection. Network-analysis showed clusters based on common exposures, including embarkation date, nationality, sharing a cabin with an infected cabin-mate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-11.07, p = 0.057), and specific workplaces (mechanical operations: 9.17 [1.82-45.78], catering: 6.11 [1.83-20.38]). Breaches in testing, quarantine, and isolation practices before/during expeditions were reported. Whole-genome sequencing revealed lineage B.1.36, previously identified in Asia. Despite extensive sequencing, the continued transmission of B.1.36 in Norway was not detected. Conclusions Our findings confirm the high risk of SARS-CoV-2-transmission on cruise ships related to workplace and cabin type and show that continued community transmission after the outbreak could be stopped by implementing immediate infection control measures at the final destination.
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- 2021
27. No difference in risk of hospitalization between reported cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and Alpha variant in Norway
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Lamprini Veneti, Beatriz Valcarcel Salamanca, Elina Seppälä, Jostein Starrfelt, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Håkon Bøås, Reidar Kvåle, Line Vold, Karin Nygård, Eirik Alnes Buanes, and Robert Whittaker
- Subjects
Microbiology (medical) ,Alpha ,Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,hospitalisation ,COVID-19 ,General Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 ,variants of concern ,Article ,Cohort Studies ,Hospitalization ,Infectious Diseases ,Delta ,Humans - Abstract
Objectives To estimate the risk of hospitalization among reported cases of the Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with the Alpha variant in Norway, and the risk of hospitalization by vaccination status. Methods A cohort study was conducted on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway, diagnosed between 3 May and 15 August 2021. Adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multi-variable log-binomial regression, accounting for variant, vaccination status, demographic characteristics, week of sampling and underlying comorbidities. Results In total, 7977 cases of the Delta variant and 12,078 cases of the Alpha variant were included in this study. Overall, 347 (1.7%) cases were hospitalized. The aRR of hospitalization for the Delta variant compared with the Alpha variant was 0.97 (95% CI 0.76–1.23). Partially vaccinated cases had a 72% reduced risk of hospitalization (95% CI 59–82%), and fully vaccinated cases had a 76% reduced risk of hospitalization (95% CI 61–85%) compared with unvaccinated cases. Conclusions No difference was found between the risk of hospitalization for Delta cases and Alpha cases in Norway. The results of this study support the notion that partially and fully vaccinated cases are highly protected against hospitalization with coronavirus disease 2019. publishedVersion
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- 2021
28. The impact of global lineage dynamics, border restrictions, and emergence of the B.1.1.7 lineage on the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Norway
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Benedikte Nevjen Pedersen, Kamilla H Instefjord, Magnus N Osnes, Line Victoria Moen, Olav Hungnes, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, Ignacio Garcia, Kristian Alfsnes, Hilde Elshaug, Hilde Synnøve Vollan, Vegard Eldholm, Rasmus K Riis, Karoline Bragstad, Dominique A. Caugant, Ola Brønstad Brynildsrud, and Jon Bråte
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education.field_of_study ,Lineage (genetic) ,Phylogenetic tree ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Population ,AcademicSubjects/SCI01130 ,AcademicSubjects/SCI02285 ,transmission ,phylogeography ,phylodynamics ,Microbiology ,law.invention ,Phylogeography ,Viral phylodynamics ,Geography ,Transmission (mechanics) ,Evolutionary biology ,law ,Virology ,import ,Pandemic ,AcademicSubjects/MED00860 ,Evolutionary ecology ,education ,Research Article - Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through an immunologically naïve human population, academics and public health professionals scrambled to establish methods and platforms for genomic surveillance and data sharing. This offered a rare opportunity to study the ecology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 over the course of the ongoing pandemic. Here, we use population genetic and phylogenetic methodology to characterize the population dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and reconstruct patterns of virus introductions and local transmission in Norway against this backdrop. The analyses demonstrated that the epidemic in Norway was largely import driven and characterized by the repeated introduction, establishment, and suppression of new transmission lineages. This pattern changed with the arrival of the B.1.1.7 lineage, which was able to establish a stable presence concomitant with the imposition of severe border restrictions.
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- 2021
29. No difference in risk of hospitalisation between reported cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and Alpha variant in Norway
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Jostein Starrfelt, Lamprini Veneti, Reidar Kvåle, Olav Hungnes, Karin Nygård, Beatriz Valcarcel Salamanca, Line Vold, Karoline Bragstad, Robert Whittaker, Eirik Alnes Buanes, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Håkon Bøås, and Elina Seppälä
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Delta ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,business.industry ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Internal medicine ,Binomial regression ,Relative risk ,medicine ,Alpha (ethology) ,business ,Confidence interval ,Cohort study - Abstract
ObjectivesTo estimate the risk of hospitalisation among reported cases of the Delta-variant of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the Alpha variant in Norway. We also estimated the risk of hospitalisation by vaccination status.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway, diagnosed between 3 May and 15 August 2021. We calculated adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable binomial regression, accounting for variant, vaccination status, demographic characteristics, week of sampling and underlying comorbidities.ResultsWe included 7,977 cases of Delta and 12,078 cases of Alpha. Overall, 347 (1.7%) cases were hospitalised. The aRR of hospitalisation for Delta compared to Alpha was 0.97 (95%CI 0.76–1.23). Partially vaccinated cases had a 72% reduced risk of hospitalisation (95%CI 59%–82%), and fully vaccinated cases had a 76% reduced risk (95%CI 61%–85%), compared to unvaccinated cases.ConclusionsWe found no difference in the risk of hospitalisation for Delta cases compared to Alpha cases in Norway. Further research from a wide variety of settings is needed to better understand the association between the Delta variant and severe disease. Our results support the notion that partially and fully vaccinated persons are highly protected against hospitalisation with COVID-19.HighlightsThe SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has dominated in Norway since July 2021There was no difference in the risk of hospitalisation for Delta cases compared to AlphaPartially and fully vaccinated cases had >70% decreased risk of hospitalisation
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- 2021
30. Vaccine effectiveness against infection with the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant, Norway, April to August 2021
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Anders Skyrud Danielsen, Hinta Meijerink, Karoline Bragstad, Arne Michael Taxt, Jostein Starrfelt, Lamprini Veneti, Sara Sofie Viksmoen Watle, Olav Hungnes, and Elina Seppälä
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Delta ,medicine.medical_specialty ,2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,COVID-19 Vaccines ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Epidemiology ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Population ,Cohort Studies ,Disease severity ,Virology ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,education ,Delta variant of concern ,Vaccine effectiveness ,B.1.617.2 ,Vaccines ,education.field_of_study ,Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Confidence interval ,business ,Rapid Communication ,Cohort study - Abstract
Some variants of SARS-CoV-2 are associated with increased transmissibility, increased disease severity or decreased vaccine effectiveness (VE). In this population-based cohort study (n = 4,204,859), the Delta variant was identified in 5,430 (0.13%) individuals, of whom 84 were admitted to hospital. VE against laboratory confirmed infection with the Delta variant was 22.4% among partly vaccinated (95% confidence interval (CI): 17.0−27.4) and 64.6% (95% CI: 60.6−68.2) among fully vaccinated individuals, compared with 54.5% (95% CI: 50.4−58.3) and 84.4% (95%CI: 81.8−86.5) against the Alpha variant.
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- 2021
31. Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2; a prospective longitudinal study showing higher viral load and transmissibility of the Alpha variant compared to previous strains
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Rikard Rykkvin, Gro Tunheim, Anna Hayman Robertson, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, Olav Hungnes, Idunn Forland Aune, Lisbeth Meyer Næss, Einar Sverre Berg, Dagny Haug Dorenberg, Ida Laake, Cathinka Halle Julin, Fredrik Oftung, Anneke Steens, Terese Bekkevold, and Johanna Bodin
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Longitudinal study ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,business.industry ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Alpha (ethology) ,Transmissibility (vibration) ,law.invention ,Transmission (mechanics) ,law ,Medicine ,Transmission risks and rates ,business ,Viral load ,Demography - Abstract
SUMMARYObjectivesWe studied the secondary attack rate (SAR), risk factors, and precautionary practices of household transmission in a prospective, longitudinal study. We further compared transmission between the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant and non-Variant of Concern (non-VOC) viruses.MethodsWe recruited households of 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 146 household contacts from May 2020 to May 2021. Participants donated biological samples 8 times over 6 weeks and answered questionnaires. Whole genome sequencing and droplet digital PCR were used to establish the SARS-CoV-2 variant and viral load.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 transmission occurred in 60% of the households, and the overall SAR for household contacts was 50%. The SAR was significantly higher for the Alpha variant (78%) compared with non-VOC viruses (43%) and was associated with a higher viral load. SAR was higher in household contacts aged ≥40 years (69%) than in younger contacts (40-47%), and for contacts of cases with loss of taste/smell. Children had lower viral loads and were more often asymptomatic than adults. Sleeping separately from the primary case reduced the risk of transmission.ConclusionsWe found substantial household transmission, particularly for the Alpha variant. Precautionary practices seem to reduce SAR, but preventing household transmission may become difficult with more contagious variants.
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- 2021
32. Trajectories of hospitalisation for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in Norway, December 2020 – April 2021
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Lamprini Veneti, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Olav Hungnes, Nina Aasand, Elina Seppälä, Karoline Bragstad, Karan Golestani, Karin Nygård, Siri Laura Feruglio, Robert Whittaker, Umaer Naseer, Eirik Alnes Buanes, Line Vold, Anja Bråthen Kristofferson, Håkon Bøås, Reidar Kvåle, and Beatriz Valcarcel Salamanca
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medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Hazard ratio ,Odds ratio ,Logistic regression ,Intensive care unit ,law.invention ,Vaccination ,law ,Internal medicine ,Medicine ,business ,Survival analysis ,Cohort study - Abstract
BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 has spread worldwide and has been associated with increased risk of severe disease. Studies on patient trajectories and outcomes among hospitalised patients infected with B.1.1.7 are essential for hospital capacity planning.MethodsUsing linked individual-level data from national registries, we conducted a cohort study on cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway hospitalised between 21 December 2020 and 25 April 2021. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios using survival analysis to examine the association between B.1.1.7 and time from symptom onset to hospitalisation, and length of stay (LoS) in hospital and an intensive care unit compared to non-VOC. We calculated adjusted odds ratios using logistic regression to examine the association between B.1.1.7 and mortality (up to 30 days post discharge) compared to non-VOC.ResultsWe included 946 B.1.1.7 patients and 157 non-VOC. The crude median time from symptom onset to hospitalisation was 8 days (IQR: 5–10) for B.1.1.7 and 8 days (IQR: 4–11) for non-VOC. The crude median LoS in hospital was 5.0 days (IQR: 2.6–10.0) for B.1.1.7 patients and 5.1 days (IQR: 2.5–9.9) for non-VOC. Fifty-four (6%) B.1.1.7 patients died, compared to 14 (9%) non-VOC. There was no difference in the unadjusted or adjusted estimates of our outcome measures for B.1.1.7 and non-VOC patients.ConclusionsB.1.1.7 does not appear to influence hospitalised patient trajectories, compared to non-VOC. These findings, along with the success of ongoing vaccination programmes, are encouraging for ongoing capacity planning in the hospital sector.
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- 2021
33. Abrupt termination of the 2019/20 influenza season following preventive measures against COVID-19 in Denmark, Norway and Sweden
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Emma Byström, Lasse S Vestergaard, Ramona Trebbien, Karoline Bragstad, Hanne Dorthe Emborg, AnnaSara Carnahan, Mia Brytting, and Olav Hungnes
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2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Epidemiology ,Human influenza ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Denmark ,030231 tropical medicine ,Influenza season ,Scandinavian and Nordic Countries ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Virology ,Influenza, Human ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Sweden ,Surveillance ,impact preventive measures ,business.industry ,Norway ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Public health ,Scandinavian countries ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,virus diseases ,COVID-19 ,Seasons ,business ,National laboratory ,influenza ,Demography - Abstract
Background In mid-March 2020, a range of public health and social measures (PHSM) against the then new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were implemented in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Aim We analysed the development of influenza cases during the implementation of PHSM against SARS-CoV-2 in the Scandinavian countries. Method Based on the established national laboratory surveillance of influenza, we compared the number of human influenza cases in the weeks immediately before and after the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 PHSM by country. The 2019/20 influenza season was compared with the five previous seasons. Results A dramatic reduction in influenza cases was seen in all three countries, with only a 3- to 6-week duration from the peak of weekly influenza cases until the percentage dropped below 1%. In contrast, in the previous nine influenza seasons, the decline from the seasonal peak to below 1% of influenza-positive samples took more than 10 weeks. Conclusions The PHSM against SARS-CoV-2 were followed by a dramatic reduction in influenza cases, indicating a wider public health effect of the implemented measures.
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- 2021
34. Antibody levels in a cohort of pregnant women after the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic: Waning and association with self‐reported severity and duration of illness
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Rebecca Jane Cox, Kristian Waalen, Siri Mjaaland, Lisbeth Meyer Næss, Gro Tunheim, Olav Hungnes, Ida Laake, Anna Hayman Robertson, and Lill Trogstad
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0301 basic medicine ,Pediatrics ,Epidemiology ,Antibodies, Viral ,Severity of Illness Index ,Cohort Studies ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Pregnancy ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Pandemic ,Medicine ,antibodies ,Registries ,education.field_of_study ,Vaccination ,virus diseases ,Middle Aged ,H1n1 pandemic ,Infectious Diseases ,Influenza Vaccines ,waning ,Cohort ,Original Article ,Female ,influenza ,Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,pandemic H1N1pdm09 ,Adolescent ,Population ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young Adult ,Influenza, Human ,Humans ,education ,Hemagglutination assay ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Original Articles ,Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ,medicine.disease ,vaccination ,030112 virology ,respiratory tract diseases ,Self Report ,business - Abstract
Background: A population‐based pregnancy cohort was established in Norway to study potential effects of exposure to the 2009 influenza pandemic or pandemic vaccination during pregnancy. Objectives: We studied maternal A(H1N1)pdm09‐specific hemagglutination inhibition (HI)‐titer levels and waning in women with influenza‐like illness (ILI) in pregnancy compared to vaccinated women. Moreover, we studied the association between HI‐titers and self‐reported severity and duration of ILI. Methods: HI‐titers against the pandemic virus were measured in maternal blood samples obtained at birth, 3‐9 months after exposure, and linked with information about pregnancy, influenza and vaccination from national registries and a cohort questionnaire. Results: Among 1821 pregnant women included, 43.7% were unvaccinated and 19.3% of these had ILI. HI‐titers were low (geometric mean titer (GMT) 11.3) in the unvaccinated women with ILI. Higher HI‐titers (GMT 37.8) were measured in the vaccinated women. Estimated HI‐titer waning was similar for vaccinated women and women with ILI. Most ILI episodes were moderate and lasted 3‐5 days. Women with ILI reporting specific influenza symptoms such as fever or cough had higher HI‐titers than women without these symptoms. Women who reported being “very ill” or illness duration of >5 days had higher HI‐titers than women reporting less severe illness or illness of shorter duration, respectively. Conclusions: Antibody waning was similar in vaccinated women and women with ILI. More severe ILI or longer duration of illness was associated with higher HI‐titers. Most unvaccinated pregnant women with ILI had low HI‐titers, probably due to moderate illness and HI‐titer waning between exposure and sampling. publishedVersion
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- 2019
35. Minimal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from paediatric COVID-19 cases in primary schools, Norway, August to November 2020
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Hilde Marie Lund, Margrethe Greve-Isdahl, Hinta Meijerink, Karoline Bragstad, Karin Nygård, Trine Skogset Ofitserova, Olav Hungnes, Brita Askeland Winje, Rikard Rykkvin, and Lin Cathrine T. Brandal
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Adolescent ,Epidemiology ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,school ,education ,Physical Distancing ,children 5–13 years ,Norwegian ,law.invention ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,COVID-19 Testing ,law ,030225 pediatrics ,Virology ,Quarantine ,Pandemic ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Prospective Studies ,Child ,Schools ,business.industry ,SARS-CoV-2 ,school-related contacts ,Norway ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,transmission ,COVID-19 ,language.human_language ,Transmission (mechanics) ,Family medicine ,Child, Preschool ,language ,Female ,Contact Tracing ,business ,Contact tracing ,Rapid Communication - Abstract
An intense debate on school closures to control the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing in Europe. We prospectively examined transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from confirmed paediatric cases in Norwegian primary schools between August and November 2020. All in-school contacts were systematically tested twice during their quarantine period. With preventive measures implemented in schools, we found minimal child-to-child (0.9%, 2/234) and child-to-adult (1.7%, 1/58) transmission, supporting that under 14 year olds are not the drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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- 2021
36. Household transmission of sars-cov-2: A prospective longitudinal study showing higher viral load and increased transmissibility of the alpha variant compared to previous strains
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Anna Hayman Robertson, Marit Fodnes Killengreen, Anneke Steens, Dagny Haug Dorenberg, Terese Bekkevold, Lisbeth Meyer Næss, Johanna Bodin, Fredrik Oftung, Rikard Rykkvin, Idunn Forland Aune, Olav Hungnes, Einar Sverre Berg, Gro Tunheim, Cathinka Halle Julin, Ida Laake, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, and Torunn Ramsem Strand
- Subjects
Microbiology (medical) ,Longitudinal study ,QH301-705.5 ,Alpha (ethology) ,ddPCR ,Microbiology ,Asymptomatic ,Virus ,Article ,law.invention ,law ,secondary attack rate ,Virology ,household transmission ,Medicine ,Transmission risks and rates ,Biology (General) ,B.1.1.7 ,business.industry ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,Transmissibility (vibration) ,viral load ,Transmission (mechanics) ,Alpha variant ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Viral load ,Demography ,SAR - Abstract
We studied the secondary attack rate (SAR), risk factors, and precautionary practices of household transmission in a prospective, longitudinal study. We further compared transmission between the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant and non-Variant of Concern (non-VOC) viruses. From May 2020 throughout April 2021, we recruited 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 146 household contacts. Participants donated biological samples eight times over 6 weeks and answered questionnaires. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Whole genome sequencing and droplet digital PCR were used to establish virus variant and viral load. SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurred in 60% of the households, and the overall SAR for household contacts was 50%. The SAR was significantly higher for the Alpha variant (78%) compared with non-VOC viruses (43%) and was associated with a higher viral load. SAR was higher in household contacts aged ≥40 years (69%) than in younger contacts (40–47%), and for contacts of primary cases with loss of taste/smell. Children had lower viral loads and were more often asymptomatic than adults. Sleeping separately from the primary case reduced the risk of transmission. In conclusion, we found substantial household transmission, particularly for the Alpha variant. Precautionary practices seem to reduce SAR, but preventing household transmission may become difficult with more contagious variants, depending on vaccine use and effectiveness.
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- 2021
37. Increased risk of hospitalisation and intensive care admission associated with reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Norway, December 2020-May 2021
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Nina Aasand, Beatriz Valcarcel Salamanca, Karan Golestani, Margrethe Larsdatter Storm, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Reidar Kvåle, Line Vold, Karin Nygård, Lamprini Veneti, Elina Seppälä, Håkon Bøås, Umaer Naseer, Siri Laura Feruglio, Robert Whittaker, and Eirik Alnes Buanes
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Male ,RNA viruses ,Viral Diseases ,Epidemiology ,Coronaviruses ,law.invention ,Geographical Locations ,Patient Admission ,Medical Conditions ,law ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Registries ,Young adult ,Child ,Pathology and laboratory medicine ,Virus Testing ,Multidisciplinary ,Transmission (medicine) ,Norway ,Middle Aged ,Medical microbiology ,Intensive care unit ,Hospitals ,Vaccination ,Hospitalization ,Europe ,Intensive Care Units ,Infectious Diseases ,Child, Preschool ,Viruses ,Medicine ,Female ,SARS CoV 2 ,Pathogens ,Cohort study ,Research Article ,Adult ,Risk ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Critical Care ,SARS coronavirus ,Science ,MEDLINE ,Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Microbiology ,Young Adult ,Diagnostic Medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Aged ,Whole Genome Sequencing ,Biology and life sciences ,business.industry ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Infant, Newborn ,Organisms ,Viral pathogens ,COVID-19 ,Infant ,Covid 19 ,Confidence interval ,Microbial pathogens ,Health Care ,Age Groups ,Health Care Facilities ,Relative risk ,Medical Risk Factors ,Emergency medicine ,People and Places ,Population Groupings ,business ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
IntroductionSince their emergence, SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 have spread worldwide. We estimated the risk of hospitalisation and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for infections with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Norway, compared to infections with non-VOC.Materials and methodsUsing linked individual-level data from national registries, we conducted a cohort study on laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Norway diagnosed between 28 December 2020 and 2 May 2021. Variants were identified based on whole genome sequencing, partial sequencing by Sanger sequencing or PCR screening for selected targets. The outcome was hospitalisation or ICU admission. We calculated adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable binomial regression to examine the association between SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 with i) hospital admission and ii) ICU admission compared to non-VOC.ResultsWe included 23,169 cases of B.1.1.7, 548 B.1.351 and 4,584 non-VOC. Overall, 1,017 cases were hospitalised (3.6%) and 206 admitted to ICU (0.7%). B.1.1.7 was associated with a 1.9-fold increased risk of hospitalisation (aRR 95%CI 1.6–2.3) and a 1.8-fold increased risk of ICU admission (aRR 95%CI 1.2–2.8) compared to non-VOC. Among hospitalised cases, no difference was found in the risk of ICU admission between B.1.1.7 and non-VOC. B.1.351 was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk of hospitalisation (aRR 95%CI 1.7–3.3) and a 2.7-fold increased risk of ICU admission (aRR 95%CI 1.2–6.5) compared to non-VOC.DiscussionOur findings add to the growing evidence of a higher risk of severe disease among persons infected with B.1.1.7 or B.1.351. This highlights the importance of prevention and control measures to reduce transmission of these VOC in society, particularly ongoing vaccination programmes, and preparedness plans for hospital surge capacity.
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- 2021
38. Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Norway, November to December 2021
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Lin T. Brandal, Emily MacDonald, Lamprini Veneti, Tine Ravlo, Heidi Lange, Umaer Naseer, Siri Feruglio, Karoline Bragstad, Olav Hungnes, Liz E. Ødeskaug, Frode Hagen, Kristian E. Hanch-Hansen, Andreas Lind, Sara Viksmoen Watle, Arne M. Taxt, Mia Johansen, Line Vold, Preben Aavitsland, Karin Nygård, and Elisabeth H. Madslien
- Subjects
COVID-19 Testing ,Epidemiology ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Omicron ,Virology ,cohort-study ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Headache ,COVID-19 ,Humans ,Rapid Communication ,Fatigue ,outbreak investigation - Abstract
In late November 2021, an outbreak of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 following a Christmas party with 117 attendees was detected in Oslo, Norway. We observed an attack rate of 74% and most cases developed symptoms. As at 13 December, none have been hospitalised. Most participants were 30–50 years old. Ninety-six percent of them were fully vaccinated. These findings corroborate reports that the Omicron variant may be more transmissible, and that vaccination may be less effective in preventing infection compared with Delta.
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- 2021
39. Comprehensive contact tracing, testing and sequencing show limited transmission of sars‐cov‐2 between children in schools in norway, august 2020 to may 2021
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Olav Hungnes, Hinta Meijerink, Trine Skogset Ofitserova, Margrethe Greve-Isdahl, Karoline Bragstad, Karin Nygård, Hilde Marie Lund, Lin Thorstensen Brandal, Brita Askeland Winje, Ola Brønstad Brynildsrud, and Rikard Rykkvin
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Microbiology (medical) ,History ,Polymers and Plastics ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,QH301-705.5 ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Biology ,Microbiology ,Article ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,law.invention ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,child ,contact ,transmission ,whole genome sequencing ,infection prevention and control ,law ,Virology ,Control ,Transmission risks and rates ,Business and International Management ,Biology (General) ,Children ,Whole genome sequencing ,Prevention ,Transmission (mechanics) ,Infection ,Contact tracing ,Medisinske Fag: 700::Klinisk medisinske fag: 750::Infeksjonsmedisin: 776 [VDP] - Abstract
The role of children in the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in schools has been a topic of controversy. In this study among school contacts of SARS-CoV-2 positive children in 43 contact-investigations, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Norway, August 2020–May 2021. All participants were tested twice within seven to ten days, using SARS-CoV-2 PCR on home-sampled saliva. Positive samples were whole genome sequenced. Among the 559 child contacts, eight tested positive (1.4%, 95% CI 0.62–2.80), with no significant difference between primary (1.0%, 95% CI 0.27–2.53) and secondary schools (2.6%, 95% CI 0.70–6.39), p = 0.229, nor by viral strain, non-Alpha (1.4%, 95% CI 0.50–2.94) and Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) (1.7%, 95% CI 0.21–5.99), p = 0.665. One adult contact (1/100) tested positive. In 34 index cases, we detected 13 different SARS-CoV-2 Pango lineage variants, with B.1.1.7 being most frequent. In the eight contact-investigations with SARS-CoV-2 positive contacts, four had the same sequence identity as the index, one had no relation, and three were inconclusive. With mitigation measures in place, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from children in schools is limited. By excluding contact-investigations with adult cases known at the time of enrolment, our data provide a valid estimate on the role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools.
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- 2021
40. Seasonal and pandemic influenza during pregnancy and risk of fetal death: A Norwegian registry‑based cohort study
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Nina Gunnes, Camilla Stoltenberg, Olav Hungnes, Anders Skrondal, Lill Trogstad, Sven Ove Samuelsen, Sara Ghaderi, Siri E. Håberg, Håkon K. Gjessing, Allen J. Wilcox, Per Magnus, Jon Michael Gran, and Inger Johanne Bakken
- Subjects
Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Epidemiology ,Norwegian ,Miscarriage ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,0302 clinical medicine ,Pregnancy ,Influenza, Human ,Pandemic ,Influenza-like illness ,medicine ,Perinatal Epidemiology ,Humans ,Registries ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ,Seasonal influenza ,Pandemics ,Spontaneous abortion ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Norway ,Obstetrics ,business.industry ,Vaccination ,Hazard ratio ,virus diseases ,Stillbirth ,medicine.disease ,language.human_language ,respiratory tract diseases ,Pregnancy Complications ,Fetal death ,Influenza Vaccines ,language ,Female ,Seasons ,business ,Pandemic influenza ,Cohort study - Abstract
Previous studies of fetal death with maternal influenza have been inconsistent. We explored the effect of maternal influenza-like illness (ILI) in pregnancy on the risk of fetal death, distinguishing between diagnoses during regular influenza seasons and the 2009/2010 pandemic and between trimesters of ILI. We used birth records from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway to identify fetal deaths after the first trimester in singleton pregnancies (2006–2013). The Norwegian Directorate of Health provided dates of clinical influenza diagnoses by primary-health-care providers, whereas dates of laboratory-confirmed influenza A (H1N1) diagnoses were provided by the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases. We obtained dates and types of influenza vaccinations from the Norwegian Immunisation Registry. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of fetal death, with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing women with and without an ILI diagnosis in pregnancy. There were 2510 fetal deaths among 417,406 eligible pregnancies. ILI during regular seasons was not associated with increased risk of fetal death: adjusted HR = 0.90 (95% CI 0.64–1.27). In contrast, ILI during the pandemic was associated with substantially increased risk of fetal death, with an adjusted HR of 1.75 (95% CI 1.21–2.54). The risk was highest following first-trimester ILI (adjusted HR = 2.28 [95% CI 1.45–3.59]). ILI during the pandemic—but not during regular seasons—was associated with increased risk of fetal death in the second and third trimester. The estimated effect was strongest with ILI in first trimester. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10654-020-00600-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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- 2020
41. Immunogenicity, Safety, and Efficacy of a Standalone Universal Influenza Vaccine, FLU-v, in Healthy Adults
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Demi L. Idema, Fredrik Oftung, Olav Hungnes, Nuhoda Aldarij, Sofie de Groen, Joep Dille, Hubert G. M. Niesters, Atiqul Islam, Ana Fernandez Perez, Gregory Alan Stoloff, Emma James, Paul Groeneveld, Lisbeth Meyer Næss, Henderik W. Frijlink, Eelko Hak, and Olga Pleguezuelos
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Influenza vaccine ,Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Antibodies, Viral ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,03 medical and health sciences ,Patient safety ,0302 clinical medicine ,Double-Blind Method ,Randomized controlled trial ,Aldesleukin ,law ,Internal medicine ,Influenza, Human ,Internal Medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,0101 mathematics ,Adverse effect ,Netherlands ,Immunity, Cellular ,Vaccines, Synthetic ,business.industry ,Immunogenicity ,010102 general mathematics ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Flow Cytometry ,Vaccination ,Clinical trial ,Influenza Vaccines ,Female ,Patient Safety ,business - Abstract
FLU-v is a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine that induces antibodies and cell-mediated immunity.To compare the safety, immunogenicity, and exploratory efficacy of different formulations and dosing regimens of FLU-v versus placebo.Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center phase 2b clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02962908; EudraCT: 2015-001932-38).The Netherlands.175 healthy adults aged 18 to 60 years.0.5-mL subcutaneous injection of 500 µg of adjuvanted (1 dose) or nonadjuvanted (2 doses) FLU-v (A-FLU-v or NA-FLU-v) or adjuvanted or nonadjuvanted placebo (A-placebo or NA-placebo) (2:2:1:1 ratio).Vaccine-specific cellular responses at days 0, 42, and 180 were assessed via flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Solicited information on adverse events (AEs) was collected for 21 days after vaccination. Unsolicited information on AEs was collected throughout the study.The AEs with the highest incidence were mild to moderate injection site reactions. The difference between A-FLU-v and A-placebo in the median fold increase in secreted interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was 38.2-fold (95% CI, 4.7- to 69.7-fold; P = 0.001) at day 42 and 25.0-fold (CI, 5.7- to 50.9-fold; P 0.001) at day 180. The differences between A-FLU-v and A-placebo in median fold increase at day 42 were 4.5-fold (CI, 2.3- to 9.8-fold; P 0.001) for IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells, 4.9-fold (CI, 1.3- to 40.0-fold; P 0.001) for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 7.0-fold (CI, 3.5- to 18.0-fold; P 0.001) for interleukin-2 (IL-2), and 1.7-fold (CI, 0.1- to 4.0-fold; P = 0.004) for CD107a. At day 180, differences were 2.1-fold (CI, 0.0- to 6.0-fold; P = 0.030) for IFN-γ and 5.7-fold (CI, 2.0- to 15.0-fold; P 0.001) for IL-2, with no difference for TNF-α or CD107a. No differences were seen between NA-FLU-v and NA-placebo.The study was not powered to evaluate vaccine efficacy against influenza infection.Adjuvanted FLU-v is immunogenic and merits phase 3 development to explore efficacy.SEEK and the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Member States within the UNISEC (Universal Influenza Vaccines Secured) project.
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- 2020
42. Early prenatal exposure to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection and child psychomotor development at 6 months – A population-based cohort study
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Ingrid Borren, Willy Eriksen, Siri E. Håberg, Siri Mjaaland, Olav Hungnes, Lill Trogstad, Kristian Tambs, Kristin Gustavson, and Synnve Schjølberg
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Adult ,Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Child Development ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Pregnancy ,Pandemic ,Influenza, Human ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Temperament ,Pandemics ,media_common ,Psychomotor learning ,business.industry ,Infant, Newborn ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,medicine.disease ,Child development ,Vaccination ,Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Cohort ,Female ,Psychomotor Disorders ,business ,Psychomotor disorder ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Background Studies investigating gestational influenza and child neurodevelopment are still scarce, particularly concerning timing of infection in pregnancy. This is the first study to investigate associations between gestational influenza and infant psychomotor development and temperament at 6 months. Methods Data from The Norwegian Influenza Pregnancy Cohort, established during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, were utilized. Information on influenza infection, vaccination, maternal health and child health and development is available from questionnaires, national registry data and maternal blood samples drawn at delivery. Maternal influenza A H1N1 pdm09 infection was serologically confirmed. 609 children with complete data were identified. Children of exposed and non-exposed mothers were compared using generalized linear models. Results Children exposed to influenza during gestational weeks (gw) 0–8 had adjusted general development scores indicating slightly delayed development compared to non-exposed children (0.28 standard deviations (SD) 95% confidence interval (CI): −0. 01; 0.58; p = 0.06). The temperamental scores of children exposed during gw 0–8 were slightly higher (0.31 SD; 95% CI: −0. 03; 0.64; p = 0.07) than non-exposed children indicating a more difficult temperament. In comparison, the developmental scores for children exposed in gw 9–40 were −0.31 SD (95% CI: −0. 65; 0.04; p = 0.09) better than non-exposed children, while the temperamental scores were 0.17 (95% CI: −0. 23; 0.56; p = 0.36) for the same period. Conclusion Modest associations were found between maternal influenza A (H1N1) pdm infection during gestational weeks 0–8 and psychomotor development at 6 months.
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- 2018
43. Risk of pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes after maternal A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza: a Norwegian population-based cohort study
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Kristian Waalen, Lill Trogstad, Gro Tunheim, Olav Hungnes, Anna Hayman Robertson, Siri Mjaaland, Ida Laake, and Siri E. Håberg
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Adult ,Risk ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Birth weight ,Logistic regression ,Antibodies, Viral ,Antibodies ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Cohort Studies ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Pre-Eclampsia ,Pregnancy ,Pandemic ,Influenza, Human ,medicine ,Odds Ratio ,Birth Weight ,Humans ,Birth outcomes ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Registries ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,Fetus ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Obstetrics ,business.industry ,Norway ,Infant, Newborn ,virus diseases ,Odds ratio ,medicine.disease ,Influenza ,Pregnancy Complications ,Infectious Diseases ,A(H1N1)pdm09 ,Cohort ,Small for gestational age ,Premature Birth ,Female ,business ,Research Article - Abstract
Background The effects of maternal influenza infection on the fetus remain unclear. We studied mild influenza and influenza antibodies in relation to birth weight and risks of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) birth among the unvaccinated participants in the Norwegian Influenza Pregnancy Cohort. Methods Pregnant women attending a routine ultrasound were recruited from four hospitals in Norway shortly after the 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic. The present study was restricted to unvaccinated participants who were pregnant during the pandemic. Information on the participants was obtained through questionnaires and linkage with national registries. Maternal blood samples were collected at delivery. Women with laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza, a clinical diagnosis of influenza, or self-reported influenza during the pandemic were classified as having had influenza. A(H1N1)pdm09-specific antibodies in serum were detected with the hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Detection of antibodies was considered an indicator of infection during the pandemic in the unvaccinated participants. Odds ratios were estimated with logistic regression. Quantile regression was used to estimate differences in the distribution of birth weight. Results Among the 1258 women included in this study, there were 37 cases of pre-eclampsia, 41 births were PTB, and 103 births were SGA. 226 women (18.0%) had influenza during the pandemic. The majority of cases did not receive medical care, and only a small proportion (1.3%) of the cases were hospitalized. Thus, the cases consisted primarily of women with mild illness. No significant associations between influenza and risk of pre-eclampsia, PTB, or SGA birth were observed. Detection of A(H1N1)pdm09-specific antibodies was associated with a lower 10th percentile of birth weight, β = − 159 g (95% CI − 309, − 9). Conclusions Mild influenza illness during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia, PTB or SGA birth. However, influenza infection during pregnancy may reduce the birth weight of the smallest children.
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- 2018
44. Pandemic influenza and subsequent risk of type 1 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study
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Inger Johanne Bakken, German Tapia, Lars C. Stene, Paz Lopez-Doriga Ruiz, Siri E. Håberg, Hanne L. Gulseth, and Olav Hungnes
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Register-based study ,Adolescent ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,Population ,030209 endocrinology & metabolism ,Norwegian ,Infections ,Article ,Influenza H1N1 ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young Adult ,0302 clinical medicine ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Diabetes mellitus ,Internal medicine ,Pandemic ,Influenza, Human ,Internal Medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Registries ,education ,Type 1 diabetes ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Incidence ,virus diseases ,Place of birth ,medicine.disease ,language.human_language ,Influenza ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ,language ,Female ,business ,Cohort study - Abstract
Aims/hypothesis Case reports have linked influenza infections to the development of type 1 diabetes. We investigated whether pandemic and seasonal influenza infections were associated with subsequent increased risk of type 1 diabetes. Methods In this population-based registry study, we linked individual-level data from national health registries for the entire Norwegian population under the age of 30 years for the years 2006–2014 (2.5 million individuals). Data were obtained from the National Registry (population data), the Norwegian Patient Registry (data on inpatient and outpatient specialist care), the Primary Care Database, the Norwegian Prescription Database and the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases. Pandemic influenza was defined as either a clinical influenza diagnosis during the main pandemic period or a laboratory-confirmed test. Seasonal influenza was defined by a clinical diagnosis of influenza between 2006 and 2014. We used Cox regression to estimate HRs for new-onset type 1 diabetes after an influenza infection, adjusted for year of birth, sex, place of birth and education. Results The adjusted HR for type 1 diabetes after pandemic influenza infection was 1.19 (95% CI 0.97, 1.46). In the subgroup with laboratory-confirmed influenza A (H1N1), influenza was associated with a twofold higher risk of subsequent type 1 diabetes before age 30 years (adjusted HR: 2.26, 95% CI 1.51, 3.38). Conclusions/interpretation Overall, we could not demonstrate a clear association between clinically reported pandemic influenza infection and incident type 1 diabetes. However, we found a twofold excess of incident diabetes in the subgroup with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00125-018-4662-7) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.
- Published
- 2018
45. Human to animal transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in a turkey breeder flock in Norway
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Helene Wisløff, Olav Hungnes, Skjalg Arne Hanssen, Siri Kulberg Sjurseth, Merete Hofshagen, Britt Gjerset, Mette Valheim, Karoline Bragstad, Bruce David, Siri Helene Hauge, Chiek Er, and Siri Margrete Løtvedt
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Veterinary medicine ,pandemic influenza ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Epidemiology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,030106 microbiology ,Environmental Science (miscellaneous) ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,medicine ,Influenza A virus ,Seroprevalence ,Farm workers ,turkey ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Transmission (medicine) ,anthroponosis ,Artificial insemination ,Pandemic influenza ,Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 ,artificial insemination ,Influenza a ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,egg production ,Flock ,Research Article - Abstract
Introduction: Routine surveillance samples disclosed seropositivity to influenza A virus (IAV) in a Norwegian turkey breeder flock. Simultaneous reports of influenza-like symptoms in farm workers and a laboratory confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (H1N1pdm09) infection in one person led to the suspicion of a H1N1pdm09 infection in the turkeys. Animals and methods: H1N1pdm09 infection was confirmed by a positive haemaggutinin inhibition test using H1N1pdm09 antigens, and detection of H1N1pdm09 nucleic acid in reproductive organs of turkey hens. The flock showed no clinical signs except for a temporary drop in egg production. Previous reports of H1N1pdm09 infection in turkeys suggested human-to-turkey transmission (anthroponosis) during artificial insemination. Results and discussion: The flock remained seropositive to IAV and the homologous H1N1pdm09 antigen throughout the following 106 days, with decreasing seroprevalence over time. IAV was not detected in fertilised eggs or in turkey poults from the farm, however, maternally derived antibodies against H1N1pdm09 were found in egg yolks and in day-old poults. Genetic analyses of haemagglutinin gene sequences from one of the infected farm workers and turkeys revealed a close phylogenetic relationship, and confirmed human-to-turkey virus transmission.
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- 2017
46. Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Encoding Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Induces Heterosubtypic Immunity in Macaques
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Nicholas W. Florek, Karl W. Broman, Masato Hatta, Subash C. Das, Jason T. Weinfurter, Thomas C. Friedrich, Tim D. Powell, Joseph N. Brewoo, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Ginger Young, Stephen J. Kent, Susanne Gjeruldsen Dudman, Jorge E. Osorio, Dan T. Stinchcomb, Olav Hungnes, and Sinthujan Jegaskanda
- Subjects
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ,Male ,Cellular immunity ,viruses ,Genetic Vectors ,Immunology ,Hemagglutinin (influenza) ,Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ,Vaccinia virus ,CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ,Cross Reactions ,Biology ,Antibodies, Viral ,medicine.disease_cause ,complex mixtures ,Microbiology ,Virus ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Orthomyxoviridae Infections ,Virology ,Vaccines and Antiviral Agents ,Influenza A virus ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Viral shedding ,Heterosubtypic immunity ,Drug Carriers ,Vaccines, Synthetic ,Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ,Vaccination ,Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity ,Primate Diseases ,Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 ,Disease Models, Animal ,Macaca fascicularis ,chemistry ,Influenza Vaccines ,Insect Science ,biology.protein ,Vaccinia - Abstract
Current influenza virus vaccines primarily aim to induce neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a safe and well-characterized vector for inducing both antibody and cellular immunity. We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of MVA encoding influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and/or nucleoprotein (NP) in cynomolgus macaques. Animals were given 2 doses of MVA-based vaccines 4 weeks apart and were challenged with a 2009 pandemic H1N1 isolate (H1N1pdm) 8 weeks after the last vaccination. MVA-based vaccines encoding HA induced potent serum antibody responses against homologous H1 or H5 HAs but did not stimulate strong T cell responses prior to challenge. However, animals that received MVA encoding influenza virus HA and/or NP had high frequencies of virus-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses within the first 7 days of H1N1pdm infection, while animals vaccinated with MVA encoding irrelevant antigens did not. We detected little or no H1N1pdm replication in animals that received vaccines encoding H1 (homologous) HA, while a vaccine encoding NP from an H5N1 isolate afforded no protection. Surprisingly, H1N1pdm viral shedding was reduced in animals vaccinated with MVA encoding HA and NP from an H5N1 isolate. This reduced shedding was associated with cross-reactive antibodies capable of mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) effector functions. Our results suggest that ADCC plays a role in cross-protective immunity against influenza. Vaccines optimized to stimulate cross-reactive antibodies with ADCC function may provide an important measure of protection against emerging influenza viruses when NAbs are ineffective. IMPORTANCE Current influenza vaccines are designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Vaccine-induced NAbs typically are effective but highly specific for particular virus strains. Consequently, current vaccines are poorly suited for preventing the spread of newly emerging pandemic viruses. Therefore, we evaluated a vaccine strategy designed to induce both antibody and T cell responses, which may provide more broadly cross-protective immunity against influenza. Here, we show in a translational primate model that vaccination with a modified vaccinia virus Ankara encoding hemagglutinin from a heterosubtypic H5N1 virus was associated with reduced shedding of a pandemic H1N1 virus challenge, while vaccination with MVA encoding nucleoprotein, an internal viral protein, was not. Unexpectedly, this reduced shedding was associated with nonneutralizing antibodies that bound H1 hemagglutinin and activated natural killer cells. Therefore, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) may play a role in cross-protective immunity to influenza virus. Vaccines that stimulate ADCC antibodies may enhance protection against pandemic influenza virus.
- Published
- 2014
47. Erratum to 'Predominance of influenza A(H3N2) virus genetic subclade 3C.2a1 during an early 2016/17 influenza season in Europe – Contribution of surveillance data from World Health Organization (WHO) European region to the WHO vaccine composition consultation for northern hemisphere 2017/18' [Vaccine 35 (2017) 4828–4835]
- Author
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Angeliki Melidou, Eeva Broberg, Cornelia Adlhoch, René Snacken, Pasi Penttinen, Dmitriy Pereyaslov, Caroline Brown, Monika Redlberger-Fritz, Therese Popow-Kraupp, Isabelle Thomas, Cyril Barbezange, Nathalie Bossuyt, Helena Jirincova, Alexander Nagy, Ramona Trebbien, Thea K. Fischer, Niina Ikonen, Anu Haveri, Outi Lyytikäinen, Satu Murtopuro, Sylvie Behillil, Vincent Enouf, Sylvie van der Werf, Alessandra Falchi, Martine Valette, Bruno Lina, Brunhilde Schweiger, Barbara Biere, Susanne Duwe, Marianne Wedde, Silke Buda, Andreas Mentis, Athanasios Kossyvakis, Vasiliki Pogka, Anna Papa-Konidari, Georgia Gioula, Maria Exindari, Linda Dunford, Jeff Connell, Grainne Tuite, Margaret Duffy, Joanne Moran, Bridget Hogg, Allison Waters, Cillian de Gascun, Lisa Domegan, Joan O'Donnell, Michael Joyce, Maria Rita Castrucci, Simona Puzelli, Caterina Rizzo, Antonino Bella, Francesco Maraglino, Dinagul Otorbaeva, Gulbarchyn Saparova, Natalija Zamjatina, Gatis Pakarna, Raina Nikiforova, Joël Mossong, Matthias Opp, Adam Meijer, Pieter Overduin, Marit de Lange, Anne Teirlinck, Guus Rimmelzwaan, Ruud van Beek, Marion Koopmans, Gé Donker, Olav Hungnes, Karoline Bragstad, Raquel Guiomar, Pedro Pechirra, Paula Cristóvão, Inês Costa, Patricia Conde, Ana Paula Rodrigues, Alina Elena Ivanciuc, Elena Burtseva, Elena Kirillova, Evgeniya Mukasheva, Elena Tichá, Katarina Prosenc, Nataša Berginc, Francisco Pozo, Inmaculada Casas, Amparo Larrauri, Jesús Oliva, Concha Delgado, Raúl Ortiz de Lejarazu Leonardo, Mia Brytting, Åsa Wiman, Samuel Cordey, Ana Rita Goncalves, Damir Perisa, Rita Born, Joanna Ellis, Monica Galiano, Catherine Thompson, Maria Zambon, Richard Pebody, Rory Gunson, Arlene Reynolds, Jim McMenamin, Conall McCaughey, and Cathriona Kearns
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Surveillance data ,General Veterinary ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Northern Hemisphere ,Influenza a ,Subclade ,Influenza season ,010501 environmental sciences ,European region ,01 natural sciences ,World health ,Virus ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Infectious Diseases ,Geography ,Molecular Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Demography - Abstract
The publisher regrets that the co-authors in the “European region influenza surveillance network” were not tagged correctly. The full and complete list of authors and their affiliations for this article is given above. The publisher would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
- Published
- 2018
48. Swine influenza in Norway: a distinct lineage of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus
- Author
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A Kilander, Anna G. Hauge, Olav Hungnes, Hilde Forberg, and Britt Gjerset
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Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine ,Lineage (genetic) ,Epidemiology ,Swine ,viruses ,Population ,Molecular Sequence Data ,Hemagglutinin (influenza) ,Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ,Norwegian ,Biology ,Virus ,Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Orthomyxoviridae Infections ,Animals ,Amino Acid Sequence ,education ,Gene ,Phylogeny ,Swine Diseases ,education.field_of_study ,Public health ,Phylogenetic tree ,Transmission (medicine) ,Norway ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,virus diseases ,Original Articles ,Virology ,language.human_language ,Infectious Diseases ,language ,biology.protein ,Original Article ,Sequence Alignment - Abstract
Background Since the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was first introduced to the Norwegian pig population in September 2009, it has repeatedly been detected in pigs in Norway. No other subtypes of influenza virus are circulating in Norwegian pigs. Objective To follow the diversity of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses circulating in pigs in Norway and to investigate the relationship between viruses circulating in Norwegian pigs and in humans. Methods Between January 2011 and January 2013, nasal swabs from 507 pigs were tested for A(H1N1)pdm09 virus by real-time RT-PCR. The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of virus-positive samples was sequenced and compared with publically available sequences from viruses circulating in humans at the time. Results Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene showed that the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus circulating in Norwegian pigs early in 2011 resembled the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus circulating in humans during this time. Viruses detected in pigs by the end of 2011 had acquired four characteristic amino acid substitutions (N31D, S84I S164F, and N473D) and formed a distinct phylogenetic group. Conclusions A(H1N1)pdm09 virus detected in Norwegian pigs by the end of 2011 formed a distinct genetic lineage. Also, our findings indicate that reverse-zoonotic transmission from humans to pigs of the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus is still important.
- Published
- 2013
49. Improving influenza virological surveillance in Europe: strain-based reporting of antigenic and genetic characterisation data, 11 European countries, influenza season 2013/14
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Simona Puzelli, Rod S. Daniels, Francisco Pozo, Eeva Broberg, Athanasios Kossyvakis, Allison Waters, Raquel Guiomar, Olav Hungnes, Åsa Wiman, Isabelle Thomas, Adam Meijer, Katarina Prosenc, Brunhilde Schweiger, and Niina Ikonen
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0301 basic medicine ,Author's Correction ,Epidemiology ,0302 clinical medicine ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Young adult ,Child ,media_common ,Strain (biology) ,Vaccination ,Middle Aged ,Europe ,Hospitalization ,Influenza Vaccines ,Child, Preschool ,Epidemiological Monitoring ,RNA, Viral ,Seasons ,influenza ,Adult ,Adolescent ,Influenza vaccine ,030106 microbiology ,Influenza season ,Biology ,Virus ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young Adult ,Age Distribution ,Antigen ,influenza season ,Virology ,Influenza, Human ,media_common.cataloged_instance ,Humans ,European Union ,European union ,genetic clade ,Sex Distribution ,Aged ,hospitalisation ,Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ,age ,Feasibility Studies ,Disease prevention ,Sentinel Surveillance ,Demography - Abstract
Influenza antigenic and genetic characterisation data are crucial for influenza vaccine composition decision making. Previously, aggregate data were reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control by European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. A system for collecting case-specific influenza antigenic and genetic characterisation data was established for the 2013/14 influenza season. In a pilot study, 11 EU/EEA countries reported through the new mechanism. We demonstrated feasibility of reporting strain-based antigenic and genetic data and ca 10% of influenza virus-positive specimens were selected for further characterisation. Proportions of characterised virus (sub)types were similar to influenza virus circulation levels. The main genetic clades were represented by A/StPetersburg/27/2011(H1N1)pdm09 and A/Texas/50/2012(H3N2). A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were more prevalent in age groups (by years)
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- 2016
50. Avian-Type Receptor-Binding Ability Can Increase Influenza Virus Pathogenicity in Macaques
- Author
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Ben F. Wolter, Tatsuhiko Igarashi, Mutsumi Ito, Kyoko Shinya, Thomas C. Friedrich, Saverio Capuano, Maki Kiso, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Anthony Hanson, Masaki Imai, M. Suresh, A Kilander, Ryo Takano, Shinya Yamada, Gabriele Neumann, Eiryo Kawakami, Tokiko Watanabe, Jieru Wang, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Saori Sakabe, Olav Hungnes, Heather A. Simmons, Emily A. Travanty, Robert J. Mason, Susanne Gjeruldsen Dudman, Satoshi Fukuyama, Hirotaka Imai, Masato Hatta, Makoto Ozawa, Kevin Brunner, Takeo Gorai, Wataru Nishio, Jason T. Weinfurter, Yoshimasa Maniwa, Shinji Watanabe, Chengjun Li, Daniel Schenkman, and Akiko Makino
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Virus genetics ,viruses ,Immunology ,Hemagglutinin (influenza) ,Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Microbiology ,H5N1 genetic structure ,Antigenic drift ,Virus ,Cell Line ,Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ,Orthomyxoviridae Infections ,Virology ,Influenza A virus ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Receptor ,Lung ,Virus Internalization ,Cell culture ,Insect Science ,biology.protein ,Macaca ,Receptors, Virus ,Pathogenesis and Immunity - Abstract
The first influenza pandemic of the 21st century was caused by novel H1N1 viruses that emerged in early 2009. An Asp-to-Gly change at position 222 of the receptor-binding protein hemagglutinin (HA) correlates with more-severe infections in humans. The amino acid at position 222 of HA contributes to receptor-binding specificity with Asp (typically found in human influenza viruses) and Gly (typically found in avian and classic H1N1 swine influenza viruses), conferring binding to human- and avian-type receptors, respectively. Here, we asked whether binding to avian-type receptors enhances influenza virus pathogenicity. We tested two 2009 pandemic H1N1 viruses possessing HA-222G (isolated from severe cases) and two viruses that possessed HA-222D. In glycan arrays, viruses possessing HA-222D preferentially bound to human-type receptors, while those encoding HA-222G bound to both avian- and human-type receptors. This difference in receptor binding correlated with efficient infection of viruses possessing HA-222G, compared to those possessing HA-222D, in human lung tissue, including alveolar type II pneumocytes, which express avian-type receptors. In a nonhuman primate model, infection with one of the viruses possessing HA-222G caused lung damage more severe than did infection with a virus encoding HA-222D, although these pathological differences were not observed for the other virus pair with either HA-222G or HA-222D. These data demonstrate that the acquisition of avian-type receptor-binding specificity may result in more-efficient infection of human alveolar type II pneumocytes and thus more-severe lung damage. Collectively, these findings suggest a new mechanism by which influenza viruses may become more pathogenic in mammals, including humans.
- Published
- 2011
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