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In a network of binarized precipitation (i.e., wet or dry value), the connection or dependence between each pair of nodes can occur following one or more of the following conditions: wet‐wet, dry‐dry, wet‐dry, or dry‐wet. Here, we firstly investigate the different types of dependence, year by year, within a precipitation network of binarized variables. We compare the sample estimate of the probability of co‐occurrence (or occurrence with a lag time within ±3 days) of each of the four possible combinations with respect to the correspondent confidence interval in hypothesis of independence. We develop a procedure to efficiently assess the dependence behavior of all couples of nodes within the network and apply the methodology to a network of rain gauges covering Europe and north Africa. Plain Language Summary: Meteorological connections are important issues of the climate system because they can help identifying geographic areas where compound weather events could occur. These are natural hazards characterized by extreme and devastating impacts. The typology of compound events (e.g., the co‐occurrence, or subsequence, of two floods, or two droughts, or a flood and a drought, in two geographic areas, among others) is a function of the type of dependence between the variables involved. Here, we investigate the different types of pairwise dependence, year by year, within a precipitation network with respect to wet‐wet, dry‐dry, wet‐dry, and dry‐wet co‐occurrences (or occurrences with a lag time within ±3 days), introducing a general methodology based on probability measures. This helps identifying situations which could lead respectively to compound floods or compound droughts, as well as connections between floods and droughts. We apply the methodology to a network of rain gauges covering Europe and North Africa. In order to optimize the computational times, we develop also a procedure to efficiently calculate the significance of the dependence between each pair of nodes within the network. The results show how it is possible to identify geographic areas where the wet‐wet and/or dry‐dry occurrences are frequent, so where we should expect compound floods and/or compound drought/low flow conditions, and where wet‐dry and/or dry‐wet conditions occur: mainly wet conditions in south and dry conditions in north. Key Points: We investigate the wet‐wet, dry‐dry, and wet‐dry (dry‐wet) pairwise dependence within a precipitation networkWe develop a methodology and a procedure to test the dependence between each pair of nodes and applied it to a network of rain gauges covering Europe and North AfricaWe identify geographic areas where the wet‐wet and/or dry‐dry connections are frequent and where the wet‐dry and/or dry‐wet connections are observed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplantation activity is increasing, leading to a growing number of patients at risk for toxoplasmosis. We reviewed toxoplasmosis prevention practices, prevalence, and outcomes for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT; heart, kidney, or liver) patients in Europe. We collected electronic data on the transplant population and prevention guidelines/regulations and clinical data on toxoplasmosis cases diagnosed during 2010-2014. Serologic pretransplant screening of allo-hematopoietic stem cell donors was performed in 80% of countries, screening of organ donors in 100%. SOT recipients were systematically screened in 6 countries. Targeted anti-Toxoplasma chemoprophylaxis was heterogeneous. A total of 87 toxoplasmosis cases were recorded (58 allo-HSCTs, 29 SOTs). The 6-month survival rate was lower among Toxoplasma-seropositive recipients and among allo-hematopoietic stem cell and liver recipients. Chemoprophylaxis improved outcomes for SOT recipients. Toxoplasmosis remains associated with high mortality rates among transplant recipients. Guidelines are urgently needed to standardize prophylactic regimens and optimize patient management.

The LIAISON system is a fully automated system based on chemiluminescence and antigen bound to magnetic microparticles. The system allows fast and precise measurement of Toxoplasma-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibody levels and measurement of the IgG avidity index even at low levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies in a single step without manual interference. Seven European centers participated in a multicenter evaluation of the LIAISON system. The sensitivity and specificity of the LIAISON system compared to the Sabin-Feldman dye test were 99.3 and 96.8%, respectively. In a comparison of the LIAISON Toxoplasma-specific IgM assay with an immunosorbent agglutination assay, the LIAISON assay had a sensitivity of 96.7% and a specificity of 95.4%. The LIAISON IgG assay showed agreements of 91, 100, and 100% with the AXSYM IgG (Abbott), VIDAS IgG (bioMerieux), and Platelia IgG (Bio-Rad) assays, respectively. The LIAISON IgM assay showed agreements of 95% with the AXSYM IgM and Platelia IgM assays, 96% with the ISAGA IgM assay (bioMerieux), and 97% with the VIDAS IgM assay. The coefficient of correlation between the LIAISON system and the VIDAS Toxoplasma-specific IgG avidity index was 0.81. By use of the Toxoplasma-specific IgG avidity index assay with specific IgM-positive samples, the diagnosis of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in early pregnancy has been improved significantly. The LIAISON avidity assay is a valuable assay for the exclusion of recently acquired infection with T. gondii (less than 4 months) in pregnant women, and it decreases significantly the necessity for follow-up testing.