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Neonatal herpes simplex virus (NHSV) infection, although rare, is related to high rates of morbidity and mortality, both can be reduced by prompt acyclovir treatment. In contrast, enterovirus is a common cause of neonatal meningitis, with relatively negligible incidence of serious illness or long‐term sequelae, and its clinical course is not affected by acyclovir treatment. Acyclovir is associated predominantly with renal adverse effects, and its widespread application in the context of neonatal fever is not always justified. To further characterized the Israeli NHSV infection epidemiology and to evaluate the distinct clinical characteristics of NHSV and neonatal enteroviral meningitis (NEM), Israeli NHSV patients, hospitalized between January 2015 and April 2022 in 22 medical centers were assessed, together with NEM patients, hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center during the same period. NHSV demographic and clinical characteristics were documented and compared to those of NEM. Eighty‐five NHSV (73% males) and 130 NEM (62% males) patients were included. The incidence of NHSV was 5.9/100 000 live births, the common phenotype and HSV type were SEM (53%) and HSV1 (91%), respectively. Horizontal transmission was suspected in 50% cases (of which 67% underwent a Jewish ritual circumcision with direct wound sucking, 33% had relatives with highly suspicious herpetic lesions). Compared with NEM, NHSV tends to present with rash (14% vs. 60%, p < 0.01) and seizures (0% vs. 6%, p = 0.02), while fever, irritability and poor feeding appear more frequently in NEM (94% vs. 18%, p < 0.01; 37% vs. 1%, p < 0.01; 25% vs. 1%, p < 0.01, respectively). Of NEM patients, 28% were treated with acyclovir. Our results mark a decrease in the incidence rate of NHSV in Israel and a prominent mode of horizontal infection acquisition. We underscore the unique localized phenotype of NHSV, in contrast to enterovirus, which tends to cause a systemic disease with constitutional symptoms. These findings should be considered when evaluating the need for comprehensive empirical treatment for HSV in the context of neonatal fever, or according to a certain clinical presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Waning immunity and an increased incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Omicron outbreak led the Israeli Ministry of Health to recommend a fourth vaccine dose for high-risk individuals. In this study, we assessed its effect for hospitalized patients with severe breakthrough COVID-19. Methods In this multicenter cohort study of hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 in Israel, from 15 to 31 January 2022, cases were divided according to the number of vaccinations received. Poor outcome was defined as mechanical ventilation or in-hospital death and was compared between 3- and 4-dose vaccinees using logistic regression. Results Included were 1049 patients, median age 80 years. Among them, 394 were unvaccinated, 386 and 88 had received 3 or 4 doses, respectively. The 3-dose group was older, included more males, and immunosuppressed patients but with similar outcomes, 49% vs 51% compared with unvaccinated patients (P =.72). Patients who received 4 doses were similarly older and immunosuppressed but had better outcomes compared with unvaccinated patients, 34% vs 51% (P <.01). We examined independent predictors for poor outcome in patients who received either 3 or 4 doses a median of 161 days or 14 days before diagnosis, respectively. Receipt of the fourth dose was associated with protection (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval,.3–.87), as was remdesivir. Male sex, chronic renal failure, and dementia were associated with poor outcomes. Conclusions Among hospitalized patients with severe breakthrough COVID-19, a recent fourth dose was associated with significant protection against mechanical ventilation or death compared with 3 doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Q fever has significant consequences for patients with persistent localized infection. A combination of doxycycline with hydroxychloroquine, for at least 18-24 months, is the first-line therapy. The use of serology as a prognostic marker during therapy is controversial. Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study in two outpatient clinics in northern Israel. All adults with persistent Q fever (2015-2021) were included in the study. Clinical failure was defined as relapse or death related to Q fever after end of treatment (EOT). Serological cure was defined as phase 1 IgG ≤800 or a four-fold decrease at EOT. Results: Twenty-two patients were included in the study, with a median follow up of 40 months (IQR = 28.5-63.5), and median treatment duration of 28.5 months (IQR = 21.8-50.5). Clinical cure occurred in 18 patients (82%), serological cure in 10 (45%). Phase 1 IgG at presentation was significantly higher in the clinical failure group (median 9600 vs. 3200 in the clinical cure group, p  = 0.019), and at 6-12 months after EOT (median 6400 vs. 800 respectively, p  = 0.03). Phase 1 IgG levels at 1 year and EOT were similar in both groups. Positive phase 2 IgM after one year of therapy correlated with clinical failure ( p  = 0.038), but not at EOT or after EOT. Conclusion: Phase 1 IgG levels at presentation, phase 2 IgM at 1 year, and Phase 1 IgG 6-12 months after EOT were associated with clinical failure in patients with persistent Q fever.