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Background: Transfusion‐transmissible infection (TTI) prevalence among US blood donors has been widely documented. Here we estimate the prevalence of donors presenting with ≥2 TTIs (multiple infections past or present referred to as coinfections) and describe their demographics and associations. Methods: Data from the Transfusion‐Transmissible Infections Monitoring System were compiled for October 2020–September 2023 (3 years). Prevalence per million donations (pmd) was calculated for each TTI coinfection combination with demographic characteristics summarized. The odds of each TTI coinfection combination were estimated using logistic regression. Reactivity by NAT and/or serology (HIV, HBV, and HCV) defined donors as consensus positive (CP) for each infection while serology‐based algorithms defined syphilis CP and the subset with active syphilis infections (ASIs). Results: About 22 million donations were included, with 212 coinfections (9.7 pmd). Around 2% of donations positive for any TTI (n = 10,516) were coinfections. Coinfection prevalence per TTI combination ranged from 0.3 pmd for HIV CP and HCV CP, to 4.3 pmd for HIV CP and syphilis CP. There were high proportions of coinfections from donors who were male, aged 25–54 years, white or black, first time, and residing in the southern US Census Region. The odds of a second TTI occurring in an individual donor with a TTI ranged from 23 (95% CI: 13, 41) times more likely for HBV CP and ASI to 395 (95% CI: 298, 524) times more likely for HIV CP and ASI. Conclusions: Coinfections are relatively uncommon among blood donors in the United States; however, associations exist among HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity of 32 local and 23 introduced bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes was studied using protein and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 26 bands were amplified using 5 ISSR primers. The number of polymorphic bands varied from 1 to 3, averaged 2.2. The average genetic diversity for the whole bread wheat collection based on ISSR data was 0.57. Polymorphism rate of protein markers were superior to ISSR markers. The highest number of patterns was noted at α and ω sections, with 44 and 42 patterns, respectively. Genetic diversity index was high for all studied sections. The maximum diversity was observed at α section (0.968), followed by ω section (0.963). Mantel test did not reveal significant correlation between dendrograms created, based on protein and DNA markers, suggesting that both set of markers explore genetic variation differently. In the ISSR dendrogram some tendencies were observed in grouping of genotypes according to their botanical varieties, while no relationship was found between grouping of genotypes and their origin or botanical variety based on protein markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Norovirus and sapovirus are important causes of childhood acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Breastfeeding prevents AGE generally; however, it is unknown if breastfeeding prevents AGE caused specifically by norovirus and sapovirus., Methods: We investigated the association between breastfeeding and norovirus or sapovirus AGE episodes in a birth cohort. Weekly data on breastfeeding and AGE episodes were captured during the first year of life. Stools were collected from children with AGE and tested by RT-qPCR for norovirus and sapovirus. Time-dependent Cox models estimated associations between weekly breastfeeding and time to first norovirus or sapovirus AGE., Findings: From June 2017 to July 2018, 444 newborns were enrolled in the study. In the first year of life, 69 and 34 children experienced a norovirus and a sapovirus episode, respectively. Exclusive breastfeeding lasted a median of 2 weeks, and any breastfeeding lasted a median of 43 weeks. Breastfeeding in the last week did not prevent norovirus (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.62, 1.92) or sapovirus (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.82, 1.21) AGE in a given week, adjusting for household sanitation, consumption of high-risk foods, and mother's and child's histo-blood group phenotypes. Maternal secretor-positive phenotype was protective against norovirus AGE, whereas child's secretor-positive phenotype was a risk factor for norovirus AGE., Interpretation: Exclusive breastfeeding in this population was short-lived, and no conclusions could be drawn about its potential to prevent norovirus or sapovirus AGE. Non-exclusive breastfeeding did not prevent norovirus or sapovirus AGE in the first year of life. However, maternal secretor-positive phenotype was associated with a reduced hazard of norovirus AGE., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.