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Background: In Poland, Lyme borreliosis (LB) has been subject to mandatory public health surveillance since 1996 and, in accordance with EU regulations, Lyme neuroborreliosis has been reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control since 2019. In this study, the incidence, temporal trends, and geographic distribution of LB and its manifestations in Poland are described for the period 2015–2019. Methods: This retrospective incidence study of LB and its manifestations in Poland was based on data sent to the National Institute of Public Health–National Institute of Hygiene–National Research Institute (NIPH-NIH-NRI) by district sanitary epidemiological stations using the electronic Epidemiological Records Registration System and data from the National Database on Hospitalization. Incidence rates were calculated using population data from the Central Statistical Office. Results: During 2015–2019, Poland reported 94,715 cases of LB with an overall average incidence of 49.3 cases per 100,000 population. Cases increased from 2015 (11,945) to 2016 (20,857) and then remained stable through 2019. Hospitalization due to LB also rose during these years. LB was more common among women (55.7%). Erythema migrans and Lyme arthritis were the most common manifestations of LB. The highest incidence rates occurred among >50-year-olds, with a peak in 65–69-year-olds. The highest number of cases was recorded in the third and fourth quarters of the year (July–December). Incidence rates in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country were higher than the national average. Conclusions: LB is endemic in all regions of Poland, and many regions reported high incidence rates. Large variations in spatially granular incidence rates highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acellular and whole-cell pertussis vaccines are both used for infant vaccination in Poland. • Serological signs of vaccination or infection were analyzed by time since last vaccine. • Vaccine-induced antibodies wane at a similar rate in wP-primed and aP-primed children. • In both groups, serological markers of infection increase around the same age. • Protection appears to persist for a similar duration in the aP-primed and in the wP-primed groups. In the context of reported resurgence of pertussis in the last decade, researchers hypothesized that acellular (aP) pertussis vaccines elicit a shorter-lived protection compared to whole-cell (wP) pertussis vaccines. However, in the studies seeking to demonstrate this hypothesis, exposure to each vaccine type was not concurrent, and contradictory epidemiologic modeling questioned its validity. The context of pertussis vaccination history in Poland, with both vaccine types used concurrently in comparable proportions, provided an opportunity to investigate this hypothesis. We sought to compare waning of protection by primary series vaccine type by measuring anti-pertussis toxin antibody concentrations as proxy for recent infection. Serological samples from 2,745 children and adolescents aged ≥5 years and <16 years and with completed 5-dose pertussis vaccination series were tested by ELISA for pertussis toxin (PT) antibodies. Participants were stratified by type of priming vaccine (wP or aP). Vaccination timeliness and priming-specific trends in anti-PT antibody levels by time since last vaccine dose were analyzed. A total of 1,161 (42.5%) children received wP vaccines, and 1,314 (48.1%) received aP vaccines for their primary series and toddler booster. Overall, 53.57% of the subjects received doses 2–4 in a timely manner, while only 41.52% received all 5 doses at the recommended intervals. Using GMCs or seropositivity measures, both priming groups showed a re-increase in anti-PT antibody levels signing infection in recent years from 8 years after the school-entry booster onward. Comparisons did not show any significant differences between the two groups in the timing or intensity of this re-increase. Our results clearly confirm that vaccine-elicited immunity against pertussis wanes among adolescents even after a complete infant, toddler and school-entry vaccination series. The timing and intensity of the waning of protection appear similar with whole-cell as with acellular pertussis vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration licensed adenovirus type 4 and type 7 vaccine, live, oral (Barr Labs, Inc.) (adenovirus vaccine) for use in military personnel 17 through 50 years of age. The vaccine was first universally administered to U.S. military recruits in October 2011. We investigated adverse event (AE) reports following the adenovirus vaccine submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). We searched the VAERS database for U.S. reports among persons who received adenovirus vaccine during October 2011 through July 2018 including participants in a military observational study. We reviewed all serious reports and accompanying medical records. We compared the proportion of serious reports in a proxy military recruit population and reviewed all reports of suspected allergic reactions following adenovirus vaccination. During the analytic period, VAERS received 100 reports following adenovirus vaccination; 39 (39%) were classified as serious and of these, 17 (44%) were from the observational study. One death was reported. Males accounted for 72% of reports. Median age of vaccinees was 19 years (range 17–32). The most frequently reported serious AEs were Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) (n = 12) and anaphylaxis (n = 8); of these, two GBS and all the anaphylaxis reports were reported in the observational study. Reports documented concurrent receipt of multiple other vaccines (95%) and penicillin G (IM Pen G) or other antibiotics (50%). The reporting rate for serious AEs was higher than with other vaccines administered in the comparison military recruit population (39% vs 18%); however, we identified no unexpected or concerning pattern of adenovirus vaccine AEs. Co-administration of vaccines and IM Pen G was commonly reported in this military population. These exposures may have contributed to the GBS and anaphylaxis outcomes observed with the adenovirus vaccine. Future adenovirus vaccine safety studies in a population without these co-administrations would be helpful in clarifying the vaccine's safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Implementation of PCV 10 has significantly reduced the hospitalisation rate among the vaccinated group of children. • Significant indirect effect of vaccination was observed also in older age groups. • The data show that the introduction of national vaccinations is an effective intervention in the public health. Vaccination against pneumococci is currently the most effective method of protection against pneumococcal infections. The aim of the study was to analyse changes in hospitalisations and in-hospital deaths due to pneumonia before (2009–2016) and after (2017–2020) the introduction of PCV 10 vaccinations in the National Immunisation Programme in Poland. Data on hospitalisations related to community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the years 2009–2020 were obtained from the Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study. Analyses were made in the age groups: <2, 2–3, 4–5, 6–19, 20–59, 60+ years in 2009–2016 and 2017–2020. Overall, there were 1,503,105 CAP-related hospitalisations in 2009–2020, 0.7% of which were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. Children <2 years of age were the most frequently hospitalised for CAP per 100,000 population, followed by patients aged 2–3, 4–5 and 60+ years. In the years 2009–2016, the percentage of CAP hospital admissions increased significantly, and after the year 2017, it decreased significantly in each of the age groups (p<0.001). In the years 2009–2016, a significant increase in hospitalisations for Streptococcus pneumoniae infections was observed in the age groups <2, 2–3 and 4–5 years (p<0.05). A significant reduction in hospitalisations was observed in the age groups <2, 20–59 and 60+ in 2017–2020 (p<0.05). In the years 2009–2020, there were 84,367 in-hospital deaths due to CAP, 423 (0.5%) of which due to Streptococcus pneumoniae , with patients mainly aged 60+. Implementation of the PCV vaccination programme has effectively decreased the incidence of CAP hospitalisations, including children <2 years of age. The group that is most at risk of death are persons aged 60+. The results of our study can be useful in evaluating the vaccine efficacy and benefits, and they can be an essential part of public health policy. Effective prevention strategies for CAP should be implemented in different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CAP causes the hospitalisation of ~1 million people in the European Union each year. • Universal mass vaccination against IPD reduced the burden of CAP in many countries. • In January 2017, Poland introduced PCV into their national immunisation programme. • This is the 1st national study monitoring CAP hospitalisations pre-PCV introduction. • These baseline data will allow to assess the impact of the new vaccination policy. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common infection with significant morbidity and mortality. In January 2017, Poland introduced pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into their national immunisation programme to protect children against invasive pneumococcal disease. This study was designed to investigate pneumonia-related hospitalisation rates and trends from 2009 to 2016 prior to the introduction of nationally funded PCV vaccination. Using national public statistic data available from the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene, annual hospitalisation rates for pneumonia were analysed, categorised by aetiology and age (<2, 2–3, 4–5, 6–19, 20–59, 60+ years). Trends over time were assessed, as well as in-hospital mortality. The overall hospitalisation rate due to pneumonia varied between 325.9 and 372.2/100,000 population. Higher rates of hospitalisation were seen in older adults and children ≤5 years. Trends were observed when analysing hospitalisations by pneumonia aetiology within age groups: between 2009 and 2016, Streptococcus pneumoniae hospitalisations significantly increased for children aged <2, 2–3, and 4–5 years, from 5.3 to 12.4, 5.2 to 8.2, and 1.9 to 4.6/100,000 population respectively. Whereas hospitalisations due to Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia decreased significantly from 7.8 to 1.8 and 4.8 to 1.9/100,000 children aged <2 and 2–3 years respectively. The numbers of in-hospital deaths increased from 5578 in 2009 to 8149 in 2016, with >85% of deaths in the 60+ age group. This is the first national study of pneumonia hospitalisations in Poland, providing the baseline data from which to investigate the impact of the change in vaccination policy on pneumonia hospitalisations in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of mood disorders symptoms and suicidal thoughts among HIV patients treated in Białystok and their impact on quality of life. Materials and methods: A total of 147 participants, including 104 men (70.7%) and 43 women (29.3%), took part in the research. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a modified questionnaire “Psychosocial situation of people living with HIV/AIDS in Poland” by Dr Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Suicidal thoughts and attempts were reported by 20% and 7% of respondents, respectively. Fear of living with HIV and fear of loneliness were the predominant reasons for suicidal thoughts (38.7% in total). Two-thirds of respondents had no depressive symptoms, while one-fourth of respondents presented with at most moderate depressive symptoms. There were significant differences in the level of health problems depending on marital status. Those who had suicidal thoughts after receiving HIV diagnosis had a lower quality of life. Conclusions: One-third of the respondents reported symptoms of mood disorders, most of which were of moderate intensity, and one-fourth of the respondents had suicidal thoughts and attempts. The quality of life of HIV patients was mainly determined by their general physical and mental health and social support. A higher quality of life was presented by those with better general health status who received social support. Only marital status determinated the prevalence of symptoms of mood disorders in the study group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of life is one of the key factors in assessing the health status of HIV-positive individuals, with its improvement considered an important goal of treatment. Assessment of the quality of life helps accurately evaluate the impact of diseases and treatment on the patient's life. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of HIV-positive people in Poland using the example of patients treated in the Observation and Infection Clinic with the Subunit for HIV/AIDS Patients of the University Clinical Hospital in Bialystok, based on the evaluation of HIV-positive status acceptance in HIV patients as well as sociometric variables such as age, gender and marital status. A total of 147 patients participated in this study, including 104 men (70.7%) and 43 women (29.3%). This study was conducted between May 2019 and January 2020 in the Observation and Infection Clinic with the Subunit for HIV/AIDS Patients with the Consultation and Diagnostic Centre at the Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Bialystok. This study used a diagnostic survey method with a modified questionnaire "Psychosocial Situation of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Poland" by Dr. Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak and the following standardised psychometric tools: the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The majority of respondents (60%) reported no significant changes in their lives as a result of HIV infection. Gender was not a differentiating factor in the quality of life of people living with HIV. The variation in psychometric measures within the female and male groups was far greater than the difference between them. Marital status clearly differentiated the quality of life. The following conclusions were drawn from this study: The surveyed HIV patients presented a moderate level of quality of life, which was mainly determined by marital status. Higher quality of life was presented by married persons. Duration of infection was not correlated with quality of life. The level of acceptance of HIV infection was relatively high among respondents. A higher level of HIV acceptance was associated with a higher quality of life. The respondents presented a relatively poor level of satisfaction with life. Changing jobs, going on disability, relationship breakdown, not having a family of their own and losing friends were the key HIV-related changes in the lives of the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Reported incidence of pneumococcal meningitis increased in persons ≥15 years of age. • PCV10 and PCV13 serotypes accounted for 46% and 62% of all isolates, respectively. • Proportion of cases caused by PCV10 serotypes decreased from 2008 to 2011 to 2012-2015. • The average penicillin resistance of all isolates amounted 28%. • Among children <5 years of age, 53% of isolates were penicillin resistant. Abstract Background Poland introduced the 10-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV10) into the childhood immunization program in January 2017. During previous decades, considerable changes had occurred in the surveillance system for invasive pneumococcal disease. Therefore, to provide baseline data on pneumococcal diseases before PCV10 introduction, we evaluated the epidemiology of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), the only syndrome monitored consistently since 1970. Methods Based on laboratory-confirmed cases reported during 2005-2015, we calculated the reported rates, serotypes distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pneumococcal meningitis isolates. Data from the mandatory national surveillance system was linked with data on cerebrospinal fluid isolates submitted to the National Reference Centre for Bacterial Meningitis. We used negative binomial regression with Newey West method to test for trend in rates of pneumococcal meningitis notified during 2005-2015 and Chi-squared test to assess changes in the serotype distribution from 2008-2011 to 2012-2015. Results From 2005 to 2015, the overall reported incidence of PM increased from 0.21 to 0.47 cases per 100,000 population, average yearly increase of 7% (rate ratio 1.07; 95% CI 1.06–1.08). The increase was primarily due to annual increase of 3% (1.02–1.05) among 15–49 years of age, 12% (95% CI: 1.10–1.13) among 50–64 years of age, 18% (95% CI: 1.16–1.19) among persons 65–74 years of age and 9% (95% CI 1.07–1.10) among persons ≥75 years of age. In children <5 years of age, serotypes included in PCV10 and PCV13 accounted for 75% and 80% of reported isolates, respectively. From 2008-2011 to 2012-2015, the proportion of PM cases caused by PCV10 serotypes decreased from 52% to 41% (p < 0.01). Overall, 28% of isolates were resistant to penicillin and 13% were non-susceptible to cefotaxime. Conclusions The introduction of PCV10 into national immunization program may have considerable impact on disease burden, especially on number of cases caused by isolates non-susceptible to antimicrobials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objective: The aim of the study was to assess discriminatory behaviours towards HIV-infected people in Poland reported by patients treated in the Observation and Infection Clinic with the Subunit for HIV/AIDS Patients of the Medical University of Bialystok Clinical Hospital. Materials and methods: A total of 147 participants, including 104 men (70.7%) and 43 women (29.3%), took part in the research. The study was conducted between May 2019 and January 2020. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a modified questionnaire "Psychosocial situation of people living with HIV/ AIDS in Poland" by Dr Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak and standardised psychometric tools: the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: One in three respondents (32.7%) experienced discrimination. Healthcare professionals were reported to most frequently show discriminatory behaviour against seropositive persons (23.8%). Refusal of medical assistance and unethical treatment by medical staff were mentioned as the most common forms of discrimination (10.9% each). Conclusions: The quality of life of HIV-infected persons was moderate and was determined by the experience of stigma/discrimination due to their HIV status. Higher quality of life was presented by those who did not experience stigma/discrimination. HIV-infected respondents often experienced discrimination and stigma due to their clinical diagnosis. Since healthcare workers were the most common source of discrimination, it is important to undertake educational activities in this professional group as part of campaign against discrimination of HIV-positive people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Results of previous influenza vaccination effects on current season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) are inconsistent. Objectives: To explore previous influenza vaccination effects on current season VE among population targeted for vaccination. Methods: We used 2011/2012 to 2016/2017 I‐MOVE primary care multicentre test‐negative data. For each season, we compared current season adjusted VE (aVE) between individuals vaccinated and unvaccinated in previous season. Using unvaccinated in both seasons as a reference, we then compared aVE between vaccinated in both seasons, current only, and previous only. Results: We included 941, 2645 and 959 influenza‐like illness patients positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B, respectively, and 5532 controls. In 2011/2012, 2014/2015 and 2016/2017, A(H3N2) aVE point estimates among those vaccinated in previous season were −68%, −21% and −19%, respectively; among unvaccinated in previous season, these were 33%, 48% and 46%, respectively (aVE not computable for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B). Compared to current season vaccination only, VE for both seasons' vaccination was (i) similar in two of four seasons for A(H3N2) (absolute difference [ad] 6% and 8%); (ii) lower in three of four seasons for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (ad 18%, 26% and 29%), in two seasons for influenza A(H3N2) (ad 27% and 39%) and in two of three seasons for influenza B (ad 26% and 37%); (iii) higher in one season for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (ad 20%) and influenza B (ad 24%). Conclusions: We did not identify any pattern of previous influenza vaccination effect. Prospective cohort studies documenting influenza infections, vaccinations and vaccine types are needed to understand previous influenza vaccinations' effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, annual influenza vaccination is recommended to elderly. From 2011 to 2014 and in 2015–16, we conducted a multicentre test negative case control study in hospitals of 11 European countries to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory confirmed hospitalised influenza among people aged ≥65 years. We pooled four seasons data to measure IVE by past exposures to influenza vaccination. We swabbed patients admitted for clinical conditions related to influenza with onset of severe acute respiratory infection ≤7 days before admission. Cases were patients RT-PCR positive for influenza virus and controls those negative for any influenza virus. We documented seasonal vaccination status for the current season and the two previous seasons. We recruited 5295 patients over the four seasons, including 465A(H1N1)pdm09, 642A(H3N2), 278 B case-patients and 3910 controls. Among patients unvaccinated in both previous two seasons, current seasonal IVE (pooled across seasons) was 30% (95%CI: −35 to 64), 8% (95%CI: −94 to 56) and 33% (95%CI: −43 to 68) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B respectively. Among patients vaccinated in both previous seasons, current seasonal IVE (pooled across seasons) was −1% (95%CI: −80 to 43), 37% (95%CI: 7–57) and 43% (95%CI: 1–68) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B respectively. Our results suggest that, regardless of patients’ recent vaccination history, current seasonal vaccine conferred some protection to vaccinated patients against hospitalisation with influenza A(H3N2) and B. Vaccination of patients already vaccinated in both the past two seasons did not seem to be effective against A(H1N1)pdm09. To better understand the effect of repeated vaccination, engaging in large cohort studies documenting exposures to vaccine and natural infection is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the third season of I-MOVE (Influenza Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness in Europe), we undertook a multicentre case-control study based on sentinel practitioner surveillance networks in eight European Union (EU) member states to estimate 2010/11 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically-attended influenza-like illness (ILI) laboratory-confirmed as influenza. Methods Using systematic sampling, practitioners swabbed ILI/ARI patients within seven days of symptom onset. We compared influenza-positive to influenza laboratory-negative patients among those meeting the EU ILI case definition. A valid vaccination corresponded to > 14 days between receiving a dose of vaccine and symptom onset. We used multiple imputation with chained equations to estimate missing values. Using logistic regression with study as fixed effect we calculated influenza VE adjusting for potential confounders. We estimated influenza VE overall, by influenza type, age group and among the target group for vaccination. Results We included 2019 cases and 2391 controls in the analysis. Adjusted VE was 52% (95% CI 30-67) overall (N = 4410), 55% (95% CI 29-72) against A(H1N1) and 50% (95% CI 14-71) against influenza B. Adjusted VE against all influenza subtypes was 66% (95% CI 15-86), 41% (95% CI -3-66) and 60% (95% CI 17-81) among those aged 0-14, 15-59 and ≥60 respectively. Among target groups for vaccination (N = 1004), VE was 56% (95% CI 34-71) overall, 59% (95% CI 32-75) against A(H1N1) and 63% (95% CI 31-81) against influenza B. Conclusions Results suggest moderate protection from 2010-11 trivalent influenza vaccines against medically-attended ILI laboratory-confirmed as influenza across Europe. Adjusted and stratified influenza VE estimates are possible with the large sample size of this multi-centre case-control. I-MOVE shows how a network can provide precise summary VE measures across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]