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Scarlet fever (SF) is an acute respiratory transmitted disease that primarily affects children. The influence of meteorological factors and air pollutants on SF in children has been proved, but the relevant evidence in Northwest China is still lacking. Based on the weekly reported cases of SF in children in Lanzhou, northwest China, from 2014 to 2018, we used geographical detectors, distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM), and bivariate response models to explore the influence of meteorological factors and air pollutants with SF. It was found that ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), temperature, pressure, water vapor pressure and wind speed were significantly correlated with SF based on geographical detectors. With the median as reference, the influence of high temperature, low pressure and high pressure on SF has a risk effect (relative risk (RR) > 1), and under extreme conditions, the dangerous effect was still significant. High O3 had the strongest effect at a 6-week delay, with an RR of 5.43 (95%CI: 1.74,16.96). The risk effect of high SO2 was strongest in the week of exposure, and the maximum risk effect was 1.37 (95%CI: 1.08,1.73). The interactions showed synergistic effects between high temperatures and O3, high pressure and high SO2, high nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and high particulate matter with diameter of less than 10 μm (PM10), respectively. In conclusion, high temperature, pressure, high O3 and SO2 were the most important factors affecting the occurrence of SF in children, which will provide theoretical support for follow-up research and disease prevention policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinomycosis is a rare infection that involves soft and bone tissues caused by gram-positive, anaerobic filamentous bacteria, usually Actinomyces israelii. About 3% of all cases affect children. Not uncommonly, actinomycosis is initially diagnosed as neoplasm or other granulomatous diseases. Paediatric actinomycosis affecting the jaws is rare. To date, 20 and 1 case affecting the mandible and maxilla, respectively, have been reported. A 4-year-old girl was referred presenting an extensive symptomatic ulcerative lesion with bone exposure in the posterior region of the right maxilla two months ago. One month before, she has been diagnosed with scarlet fever. The lesion progressed, damaging the supporting periodontal tissue. After surgical removal of necrotic bone and deciduous molar, the microscopy revealed actinomycosis, which showed excellent healing after local treatment with hydrogen peroxide solution and adequate oral hygiene. Although actinomycosis of the jaws affecting pediatric patients is rare, paediatric dentists must be aware of their clinicopathological characteristics, with therapeutic and prognostic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increased incidence of group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections has been observed in pediatric population post-COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of reports refer to scarlet fever or invasive GAS disease, detailed data on pulmonary manifestations such as complicated community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of GAS to complicated CAP in children during the 2022/2023 infectious season. We retrospectively analyzed the etiology and clinical presentation of complicated CAP patients hospitalized in our tertiary care center in Warsaw, Poland, between August 2022 and May 2023. Among 91 patients with complicated CAP, GAS was the dominant cause constituting 24.2% (22/91; 95% CI 15.8–34.3%) of the study group. 68.2% of GAS pneumonia patients presented symptoms of scarlet fever, and 27.3% had preceding or concurrent viral infection. GAS complicated CAP was associated with longer hospitalization, higher incidence of chest tube insertion, but shorter duration of chest tube drainage than complicated CAP of other etiology. Children with GAS complicated CAP had higher procalcitonin concentration (28.1 vs. 1.5 ng/dL; p<0.0001) and a lower platelets level (254.5 vs. 422 × 103/μL; p = 0.0031) than those with non-GAS infection. GAS is currently the predominant pathogen of complicated CAP in children. Clinicians should be aware of the current epidemiological situation and a more severe course of GAS pneumonia in this age group, and should monitor patients presenting with symptoms of scarlet fever and preceding viral infection closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information about the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and treatment of scarlet fever, which is an epidemic outbreak among children and causes many complications, and also presents the experience gained in the study of this disease. Scarlet fever is one of the childhood infections known in pediatric practice, which is currently widespread. Streotococcal infection, the causative agent of the disease, is considered one of the most pressing health problems in all countries of the world and has a severe socio-economic impact on the state. This primarily harms children and adolescents. Although scarlet fever has emerged in the last decade as a mild infection, it does not lose the risk of serious complications and even fatal consequences. Although severe forms of the disease are uncommon among hospitalized children, the incidence of uneven scarlet fever remains high. At the moment, scarlet fever persists in preschool institutions. According to İnternational Health Orqanization, more than 600 thousand cases of scarlet fever were recorded worldwide in 2020. In 2022-2023, outbreaks of scarlet fever in Europe and the United States, as well as mortality from it, increased attention to this infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the incidence of Class B respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs) in China under the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and examines variations post-epidemic, following the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Two-stage evaluation was used in our study. In the first stage evaluation, we established counterfactual models for the pre-COVID-19 period to estimate expected incidences of Class B RIDs without the onset of the epidemic. In the second stage evaluation, we constructed seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average intervention (SARIMA-Intervention) models to evaluate the impact on the Class B RIDs after NPIs aimed at COVID-19 pandemic were relaxed. The counterfactual model in the first stage evaluation suggested average annual increases of 10.015%, 78.019%, 70.439%, and 67.799% for tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles, and pertussis respectively, had the epidemic not occurred. In the second stage evaluation, the total relative reduction in 2023 of tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles and pertussis were − 35.209%, − 59.184%, − 4.481%, and − 9.943% respectively. The actual incidence declined significantly in the first stage evaluation. However, the results of the second stage evaluation indicated that a rebound occurred in four Class B RIDs after the relaxation of NPIs; all of these showed a negative total relative reduction rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The positive changes in hygienic living conditions are commonly believed to explain secular changes in body height and the age of maturity. However, it is difficult to estimate the separate impacts of these factors due to the lack of social and economic data and variations in the sources of information. We hypothesized that final male body height could be associated with various socioeconomic indicators, such as the development of the medical care system, the quality of nutrition, and the level of sanitary and hygienic conditions. Moreover, we hypothesized that male body height could be associated with the level of morbidity in the region during the time of conscript childhood (from 1 to 7 years old). Materials and methods: We used two main sources of information in the analyses. The first is the data from the Statistical Reference Book published by the Central Statistical Committee in 1929. The second is the annual data from the Statistical Reference Book published in the Russian Empire. Since the conscripts were born between 1906 and 1909, we used datasets from 1910 to 1913. To analyze the data, we used a method of analyzing interacting variables called St. Nicolas House Analysis (SNHA). Results: Our analyses revealed direct associations between the morbidity of some diseases and male body height and other anthropometric parameters. Conclusions: There are associations between conscript final body height and the morbidity of influenza, dysentery and some venereal diseases, such as chancroid and syphilis. There were no associations between conscript final body height and the level of morbidity during childhood. However, other final parameters, such as BMI, weight, and chest circumference, could be associated with the morbidity of malaria, scabies, scurvy, and scarlet fever during childhood. The prevalence of these diseases could be strongly connected with unfavorable living conditions. The results are similar for both urban and rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the surveillance data of scarlet fever in Yunnan Province from 2010 to 2022, in order to understand its incidence level and epidemiological characteristics, and to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and control. Methods The scarlet fever data from 2010 to 2022 in Yunnan Province were obtained from the "China Disease Prevention and Control Information System". The spatial distribution was described, and seasonal trends were analyzed using seasonal indices. A total of 92 scarlet fever cases reported by 22 medical institutions in the province were randomly selected for verification of diagnostic accuracy. Results From 2010 to 2022, a total of 21 081 cases of scarlet fever were reported in Yunnan Province, with only 5.25% confirmed cases. The average annual incidence rate was 3,44 per 100 000, with no reported deaths. There were two peaks in the incidence rate each year, in spring/summer and winter, accounting for 49,78% and 17.43% of the total annual cases, respectively. The highest incidence rates were observed in children under 10 years old, with an incidence rate of 23.75 per 100 000, and the incidence rate in boys was higher than that in girls. The cities and prefectures with the highest average annual incidence rates were Lijiang city (10.49 per 100 000), Yuxi city (7.67 per 100 000), Dali Prefecture (5.54 per 100 000), and Pu-er city (5.21 per 100 000). The areas with significant increases in incidence rates around 2020 were Diqing Prefecture, Nujiang Prefecture, Qujing city, and Wenshan Prefecture, and the specific counties with significant increases were Qiubei County in Wenshan Prefecture, Weixi County in Diqing Prefecture, Luoping County in Qujing city, and Lanping County in Nujiang Prefecture, Among the 92 scarlet fever cases reported by the 22 medical institutions from 2021 to 2022, the diagnostic accuracy was 56.52%. Conclusion From 2010 to 2022, the overall incidence of scarlet fever in Yunnan Province showed an increasing trend. It is recommended to implement comprehensive prevention measures focusing on health education in key epidemic areas such as Lijiang, Yuxi, and Dali, and to carry out pathogen surveillance. In areas with significant recent increases in incidence, such as Qiubei County in Wenshan Prefecture, Weixi County in Diqing Prefecture, and Lanping County in Nujiang Prefecture, it is recommended to conduct quality verification of case diagnosis to understand the true situation of scarlet fever incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Over the past two decades, scarlet fever has resurged in some countries or areas. Nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions changed the patterns of other infectious diseases, but its effects on the spread of scarlet fever were rarely studied. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in scarlet fever incidence in Zhejiang Province, China, before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic periods and to provide references for scarlet fever prevention and control. Methods. Scarlet fever surveillance data in Zhejiang, China (2004–2022), were analyzed in three stages. Two‐sample z test, ANOVA, and Tukey's test were used to compare and analyze the characteristics of disease spread at different stages. The ARIMA model was used to predict the overall trend. The data were obtained from the National Infectious Disease Reporting Information System. Results. A total of 28,652 cases of scarlet fever were reported across Zhejiang Province during the study period, with the lowest average monthly incidences in 2020 (0.111/100,000). The predominant areas affected were the northern and central regions of Zhejiang, and all regions of Zhejiang experienced a decrease in incidence in 2020. The steepest decline in incidence in 2020 was found in children aged 0–4 years (67.3% decrease from 23.8/100,000 to 7.8/100,000). The seasonal pattern changed, with peak occurrences in April to June and November to January during 2004–2019 and 2021 and a peak in January in 2020. The median duration from diagnosis to confirmation was highest before COVID‐19 (4 days); however, it decreased to 1 day in 2020–2022, matching the other two medians. Conclusions. In 2020, Zhejiang experienced an unprecedented decrease in scarlet fever, with the lowest incidence in nearly 18 years, but it rebounded in 2021 and 2022. The seasonal epidemiologic characteristics of scarlet fever also changed with the COVID‐19 outbreaks. This suggested that nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions greatly depressed the spread of scarlet fever. With the relaxation of non‐pharmaceutical intervention restrictions, scarlet fever may reappear. Government policymakers should prioritize the control of future scarlet fever outbreaks for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to examine the characteristics of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection and identify the emm genotypes and the superantigen gene of GAS strains isolated from children from 2011 to 2019 in Tongzhou District, Beijing. Methods Pharyngeal swab samples from children with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infection were collected and tested for GAS. In GAS isolates, emm genotypes and superantigen genes were identified. Logistic regression models were used to explore the correlations between demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and GAS infection. Results In total, 172/1,214 (14.2%) GAS were isolated. The GAS infection rate in children with scarlet fever was 47.5%, higher than 8.5% in children with pharyngeal infection (p < 0.001). The risk of GAS infection was associated with oral mucosal congestion in children with scarlet fever, and older age, tonsillitis, and rash in children with pharyngeal infection. Seven emm genotypes were detected in 164 GAS isolated strains, of which emm12 and emm1 accounted for 47.0 and 46.3%, respectively. Among 112 GAS isolates, the top 5 detection rates of superantigen genes were speF 100.0%, speG 100.0%, speB 98.2%, speC 94.6%, and smeZ 82.1%. Higher proportions of speA , speJ , and speK were detected in emm1 isolates, while speH and speI were more common in emm12 isolates (p < 0.001). Conclusion The changing predominant type expanded the knowledge of the circulating emm types, which should be considered in future vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a comprehensive overview of scarlet fever and invasive streptococcal disease, including their clinical features, diagnostic studies, and treatment options. It also discusses the epidemiology of streptococcal infections, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic prescribing to prevent complications and antibiotic resistance. The text covers various presentations and complications of invasive streptococcal infections, highlighting the changing pattern during the pandemic and the need for healthcare providers to be aware of these potentially deadly infections. Additionally, it provides information on the clinical features, management, and potential complications of different streptococcal infections, as well as the streptococcal carrier state and the development of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease. The document underscores the importance of early recognition, prompt treatment, and antibiotic stewardship in managing these infections, and emphasizes the need for recognizing and treating complications to prevent long-term morbidity and mortality. Close follow-up and appropriate management are also highlighted for optimal outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

Contagious exanthematous diseases are becoming a major public health problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential epidemiological trend of four infectious exanthematous diseases in Italy through the searches on the internet. We used the following Italian search term: 'Sesta malattia' (Sixth Disease, in English), 'Eritema Infettivo' (also knows 'Quinta malattia' in Italian; Fifth Disease in English), 'Quarta malattia' (Fourth Disease in English) and 'Scarlattina' (Scarlet fever in English). We overlapped Google Trends and Wikipedia data to perform a linear regression and correlation analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rho). The study period is between July 2015 and December 2022 The diseases considered have a seasonal trend and the search peaks between GT and Wikipedia overlap. A temporal correlation was observed between GT and Wikipedia search trends. Google Trends Internet search data showed strong correlation with Wikipedia with a rho statistically significant for Fifth disease (rho = 0.78), Fourth disease (rho = 0.76) and Scarlet-fever (rho = 0.77), moderate correlation for Sixth disease (rho = 0.32). Infectious disease searches using Google and Wikipedia can be useful for public health surveillance and help policy makers implement prevention and information programs for the population, in addition to the fact that increases in searches could represent an early warning in the detection of outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since October 2022, alerts have spread from several countries about the increase in invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) and scarlet fever cases affecting young children. We aim to analyze the epidemiology of GAS infections in the last 12 years in our hospital and identify the clinical features of invasive cases observed in 2023. We conducted a retrospective study enrolling children and adolescents hospitalized at our pediatric clinic from January to December 2023 for a definitive diagnosis of iGAS infection. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected and analyzed. Comparing 2016 and 2023, we observed a similar number of GAS infections (65 vs. 60 cases). Five children with iGAS infection were hospitalized between March and April 2023. The median age was five years. At admission, all patients showed tachycardia disproportionate to their body temperature. Vomiting was a recurrent symptom (80%). Laboratory tests mostly showed lymphopenia, hyponatremia, and high inflammatory markers. The number of pediatric iGAS cases significantly increased in 2023. Clinical (pre-school-aged children with high fever, unexplained tachycardia, and vomiting) and laboratory parameters (high procalcitonin levels, hyponatremia, and lymphopenia) could help identify and suspect a potential iGAS infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK observed a marked increase in scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcal infection in 2022 with severe outcomes in children and similar trends worldwide. Here we report lineage M1UK to be the dominant source of invasive infections in this upsurge. Compared with ancestral M1global strains, invasive M1UK strains exhibit reduced genomic diversity and fewer mutations in two-component regulator genes covRS. The emergence of M1UK is dated to 2008. Following a bottleneck coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, three emergent M1UK clades underwent rapid nationwide expansion, despite lack of detection in previous years. All M1UK isolates thus-far sequenced globally have a phylogenetic origin in the UK, with dispersal of the new clades in Europe. While waning immunity may promote streptococcal epidemics, the genetic features of M1UK point to a fitness advantage in pathogenicity, and a striking ability to persist through population bottlenecks. Exponential growth of toxigenic Streptococcus pyogenes M1UK lineage accounted for most of the 2022/2023 invasive infection upsurge in the UK. Authors provide evidence that M1UK first emerged in 2008, has genetic evidence of enhanced fitness, and has disseminated to 3 continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rash and fever are some of the most common chief complaints present in paediatric dermatology emergencies. The spectrum of differential diagnosis is broad, including many different infectious and some non-infectious agents. A systematic approach involving detailed history taking, careful clinical examination along with particular attention to epidemiological features are the most important factors to make a diagnosis. This article reviews the morphological patterns of various causes of fever with rash in children, including infectious as well as non-infectious causes, with special emphasis on the Indian scenario. We intend to highlight the clinical characteristics of each cause, which will not only help make a clinical diagnosis but also distinguish benign versus life-threatening causes of skin rash in febrile paediatric patients and provide early medical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the enduring friendship between Cynthia Shaw and Anna Valli (Valerie) Herlinger, detailing Herlinger's life story from her birth in Vienna in 1924, through her family's harrowing experiences during the Holocaust, to her later years in England. Topics include the Herlinger family's struggles during Nazi rule in Austria, their escape to India, and Valerie's life in England, including her devotion to family, education, and the preservation of her family's history.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), or Streptococcus pyogenes, is a gram-positive bacterium that extensively colonises within the human host. GAS is responsible for causing a range of human infections, such as pharyngitis, impetigo, scarlet fever, septicemia, and necrotising fasciitis. GAS pathogens have the potential to elicit fatal autoimmune sequelae diseases (including rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseases) due to recurrent GAS infections, leading to high morbidity and mortality of young children and the elderly worldwide. Antibiotic drugs are the primary method of controlling and treating the early stages of GAS infection; however, the recent identification of clinical GAS isolates with reduced sensitivity to penicillin-adjunctive antibiotics and increasing macrolide resistance is an increasing threat. Vaccination is credited as the most successful medical intervention against infectious diseases since it was discovered by Edward Jenner in 1796. Immunisation with an inactive/live-attenuated whole pathogen or selective pathogen-derived antigens induces a potent adaptive immunity and protection against infectious diseases. Although no GAS vaccines have been approved for the market following more than 100 years of GAS vaccine development, the understanding of GAS pathogenesis and transmission has significantly increased, providing detailed insight into the primary pathogenic proteins, and enhancing GAS vaccine design. This review highlights recent advances in GAS vaccine development, providing detailed data from preclinical and clinical studies across the globe for potential GAS vaccine candidates. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives on the development of GAS vaccines are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review is based investigations on the Western Isles, Scotland, by Martin Martin, a notable Scottish Highlander, academic and medical doctor, of the 17th–18th century. His extensive observations of the geography and peoples of these Isles were recorded in his books, "On the Description of the Western Islands of Scotland Circa 1695" and "A Late Voyage to St Kilda". In these books and subsequent papers there were some noteworthy observations on the occurrence (and as he says non-occurrence) of "epidemical" diseases and conditions afflicting the peoples of The Isle of Skye and the Western Isles of Scotland in this period, and these are discussed in this review. Martin also gives details of a wide variety of remedies that were observed or reported by inhabitants around that time. Some of these remedies are interesting for their relevance to the period but others are of doubtful merit. These are reviewed here more for their significance in the understanding of the diseases and conditions of humans and even in some cases animals at that time. Introductions by Charles Withers and R.W. Munro, 11 and re-assessments of the contributions of Martin and colleagues of that time have given insight into the health and condition of peoples of the Western Isles of Scotland(the Occidental) (Martin 1695; Martin 1716). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral ulcerations caused by aphtous lesions, leukoplakia, scarlet fever, syphilis, NOMA, mucormycosis herpetic lesions, candidiasis, discoid lupus erythematous, ulcerative lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, spongy nevus, oral submoucs fibrosis and pemphigus vulgaris are treated in a step-up fashion that may include topical, intralesional, and systemic pharmaceutical treatment. This page discusses the most often used therapy agents, methods, and dosages. Although the emphasis is on local pharmacologic therapy, systemic illnesses that frequently occur with such oral lesions are briefly discussed, as is the appropriate care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs) remain a pressing public health concern, posing a significant threat to the well-being and lives of individuals. This study delves into the incidence of seven primary RIDs during the period 2017–2021, aiming to gain deeper insights into their epidemiological characteristics for the purpose of enhancing control and prevention strategies. Methods: Data pertaining to seven notifiable RIDs, namely, seasonal influenza, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), mumps, scarlet fever, pertussis, rubella and measles, in the mainland of China between 2017 and 2021 were obtained from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS). Joinpoint regression software was utilized to analyze temporal trends, while SaTScan software with a Poisson probability model was used to assess seasonal and spatial patterns. Results: A total of 11,963,886 cases of the seven RIDs were reported during 2017–2021, and yielding a five-year average incidence rate of 170.73 per 100,000 individuals. Among these RIDs, seasonal influenza exhibited the highest average incidence rate (94.14 per 100,000), followed by PTB (55.52 per 100,000), mumps (15.16 per 100,000), scarlet fever (4.02 per 100,000), pertussis (1.10 per 100,000), rubella (0.59 per 100,000), and measles (0.21 per 100,000). Males experienced higher incidence rates across all seven RIDs. PTB incidence was notably elevated among farmers and individuals aged over 65, whereas the other RIDs primarily affected children and students under 15 years of age. The incidences of PTB and measles exhibited a declining trend from 2017 to 2021 (APC = −7.53%, P = 0.009; APC = −40.87%, P = 0.02), while the other five RIDs peaked in 2019. Concerning seasonal and spatial distribution, the seven RIDs displayed distinct characteristics, with variations observed for the same RIDs across different regions. The proportion of laboratory-confirmed cases fluctuated among the seven RIDs from 2017 to 2021, with measles and rubella exhibiting higher proportions and mumps and scarlet fever showing lower proportions. Conclusions: The incidence of PTB and measles demonstrated a decrease in the mainland of China between 2017 and 2021, while the remaining five RIDs reached a peak in 2019. Overall, RIDs continue to pose a significant public health challenge. Urgent action is required to bolster capacity-building efforts and enhance control and prevention strategies for RIDs, taking into account regional disparities and epidemiological nuances. With the rapid advancement of high-tech solutions, the development and effective implementation of a digital/intelligent RIDs control and prevention system are imperative to facilitate precise surveillance, early warnings, and swift responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A severe medical condition known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is marked by a cutaneous and mucosal reaction from the use of specific medications. The prodromal illness is followed by severe mucocutaneous symptoms in this immune-mediated disease. We describe the clinical history of a 55-year-old Caucasian woman who was exposed to cephalosporins. In resource-constrained countries and hospitals where cutaneous biopsy is not readily available, it is not easy to diagnose Steven Johnson Syndrome. This is particularly true in countries where the incidence of infectious diseases such as scarlet fever and measles is high and the early symptoms of SJS can be mistaken for these conditions. We used the Naronjo scale to confirm the probable association of the drug with the syndrome. Physicians while writing prescriptions for their patients need to warn them of potential side effects and they should keep in mind conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This case report highlights the need for improved knowledge and understanding of SJS among healthcare practitioners in resource-limited communities where the prevalence of infectious diseases is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a wide range of serious health, social and economic consequences. To counteract the pandemic, various measures and restrictions such as lockdowns, closures, social distancing, hygiene, and protective measures such as wearing face masks have been enforced. Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, these measures also had effects on other transmittable diseases. This study therefore determined the impact on case numbers and interest for other infectious diseases as well. Subject and methods: Anonymized data on reported case numbers from the German Robert Koch Institute and data from Google Trends about the search interest have been used in this study to track courses of infectious diseases before and during the coronavirus pandemic in Germany. Results: The results of this analysis clearly demonstrated that the case numbers of influenza, whooping cough, measles, mumps, scarlet fever and chicken pox decreased in the pandemic years, most probably due to anti-pandemic measures in Germany. Additionally, the Google Trends analysis demonstrated public awareness, documented by a corresponding search interest, for the new topic COVID-19 and for other infectious diseases. Conclusion: Online available data provided valuable sources for research purposes in infodemiology or infoveillance. Highlights: COVID-19 dominated public search interest for infectious diseases during the pandemic. Reduction in case numbers of influenza, whooping cough, measles, mumps, scarlet fever and chicken pox was shown for pandemic years. Google Trends was shown as a functional tool, well suited for demonstrating the population's awareness of certain infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pyogenes is known to be associated with a variety of infections, from pharyngitis to necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease). S. pyogenes of the ST62/emm87 lineage is recognized as one of the most frequently isolated lineages of invasive infections caused by this bacterium, which may be involved in hospital outbreaks and cluster infections. Despite this, comparative genomic and phylogenomic studies have not yet been carried out for this lineage. Thus, its virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles are mostly unknown, as are the genetic relationships and evolutionary traits involving this lineage. Previously, a strain of S. pyogenes ST62/emm87 (37–97) was characterized in our lab for its ability to generate antibiotic-persistent cells, and therapeutic failure in severe invasive infections caused by this bacterial species is well-reported in the scientific literature. In this work, we analyzed genomic and phylogenomic characteristics and evaluated the virulence and resistance profiles of ST62/emm87 S. pyogenes from Brazil and international sources. Here we show that strains that form this lineage (ST62/emm87) are internationally spread, involved in invasive outbreaks, and share important virulence profiles with the most common emm types of S. pyogenes, such as emm1, emm3, emm12, and emm69, which are associated with most invasive infections caused by this bacterial species in the USA and Europe. Accordingly, the continued increase of ST62/emm87 in severe S. pyogenes diseases should not be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pediatrie pro Praxi is the property of SOLEN sro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A medical narrative from a woman in her 90s describes her childhood bout with diphtheria in Kansas City, Missouri, apparently immediately after vaccination, her confinement in the "pest hospital," and her treatment with what she understood as a blood transfusion from a donor who was found through a radio appeal. In this essay, we trace the narrative back to the institutions, medical practices, and historical context, examining both the underlying history of medical practice and scientific understanding that is reflected in her experience and also the contexts of that history, including racial and religious attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pediatric noninvasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections decreased during the early COVID-19 period. • From March 2022, an increase was observed, with levels above the pre-pandemic level. • This increase was observed before the surge of invasive GAS infections. • Surveillance of noninvasive GAS infections may help anticipate invasive infections. We evaluated the burden of noninvasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections in ambulatory pediatrics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in France. We analyzed data from a national network of ambulatory pediatricians between 2018 and 2022. Clinicians evaluating children ≤15 years old for tonsillopharyngitis, perianal infections, paronychia/blistering dactylitis, and scarlet fever were invited to perform a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for GAS. Monthly incidence of noninvasive GAS infections per 10,000 visits was modeled using time series analysis, considering two breakpoints: March 2020 (first national lockdown) and March 2022 (end of mandatory mask-wearing in schools). Over the study period, 125 pediatricians recorded 271,084 infectious episodes. GAS-related illnesses represented 4.3% of all infections. In March 2020, the incidence of GAS diseases decreased by 84.5% (P <0.001), with no significant trend until March 2022. After March 2022, the incidence significantly increased (+23.8% per month, P <0.001), with similar patterns across all monitored GAS-related diseases. By using routine clinical data and RADTs, we have monitored changes in the incidence of noninvasive GAS infections in ambulatory pediatrics. COVID-19 mitigation measures have had a major impact on the epidemiology of noninvasive GAS infections, but their relaxation was followed by a surge above baseline levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 1826 and the six years following, Denmark underwent a severe mortality crisis. The conventional understanding is that it was caused by a malaria epidemic, although recent literature has challenged this. This study examines the demographic and clinical features of this mortality crisis to understand it further. The crisis began in Langeland in 1826 and spread throughout most of Zealand and Lolland-Falster in the following years with a dramatic culmination in the autumn of 1831. In addition to a lethal measles and scarlet fever epidemics in the spring of 1829, the affected regions experienced returning lethal epidemics during harvest in this period. The complex of symptoms during these epidemics resembles enteric infections such as typhoid fever, paratyphoid or E. coli, and typhus fever. In the same period, Denmark also underwent a subsistence crisis from several years with crop failures. The mortality crisis, and namely the harvest epidemics, was probably related to this subsistence crisis. A scarcity of fresh food meant that the rural population ate contaminated food products, making them ill. The crisis thereby exemplifies the synergetic relationship between epidemics and subsistence crises that were common before the breakthrough of the demographic transition in the 19th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS), a Gram-positive coccal bacterium, poses a significant global disease burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Its manifestations can range from pharyngitis and skin infection to severe and aggressive diseases, such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. At present, although GAS is still sensitive to penicillin, there are cases of treatment failure for GAS pharyngitis, and antibiotic therapy does not universally prevent subsequent disease. In addition to strengthening global molecular epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic resistance, developing a safe and effective licensed vaccine against GAS would be the most effective way to broadly address GAS-related diseases. Over the past decades, the development of GAS vaccines has been stalled, mainly because of the wide genetic heterogeneity of GAS and the diverse autoimmune responses to GAS. With outbreaks of scarlet fever in various countries in recent years, accelerating the development of a safe and effective vaccine remains a high priority. When developing a GAS vaccine, many factors need to be considered, including the selection of antigen epitopes, avoidance of self-response, and vaccine coverage. Given the challenges in GAS vaccine development, this review describes the important virulence factors that induce disease by GAS infection and how this has influenced the progression of vaccine development efforts, focusing on several candidate vaccines that are further along in development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pediatrie pro Praxi is the property of SOLEN sro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ernest de Massary (1866-1955) was a French physician who had a diverse medical career. He trained in internal medicine, cardiology, and surgery before specializing in neurology. He held various positions at different hospitals and was known for his precision in observation and emphasis on practical conclusions. De Massary published over 80 works in neurology and psychiatry, as well as papers on other medical topics. He made significant contributions to the study of meningitides and contagious diseases during World War I. De Massary received honors and held leadership positions in medical societies. He passed away in 1955. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The present study investigated the epidemic of tinnitus in college-aged young adults. Our first objective was to identify health conditions associated with tinnitus in young adults. The second objective was to evaluate the predictive utility of some known risk factors. Study design: A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for tinnitus. Setting: A questionnaire was distributed, reaching out to a large college-aged population. A total of 2258 young adults aged 18–30 years were recruited from April 2021 to February 2022. Interventions: A questionnaire was administered to investigate the epidemiology of tinnitus in a population of college-aged young adults. Results: About 17.7% of young adults reported bothersome tinnitus perception lasting for ≥5 min in the last 12 months. The prevalence of chronic tinnitus (bothersome tinnitus for ≥1 year) and acute tinnitus (bothersome tinnitus for <1 year) was 10.6% and 7.1%, respectively. About 19% of the study sample reported at least one health condition. Individuals reporting head injury, hypertension, heart disease, scarlet fever, and malaria showed significantly higher odds of reporting chronic tinnitus. Meningitis and self-reported hearing loss showed significant associations with bothersome tinnitus. The prevalence of chronic tinnitus was significantly higher in males reporting high noise exposure, a positive history of reoccurring ear infections, European ethnic background, and a positive health history. Risk modeling showed that noise exposure was the most important risk factor for chronic tinnitus, followed by sex, reoccurring ear infections, and a history of any health condition. A positive history of COVID-19 and self-reported severity showed no association with tinnitus. Individuals reporting reoccurring ear infections showed a significantly higher prevalence of COVID-19. Conclusions: While young adults with health conditions are at a higher risk of reporting tinnitus, the predictive utility of a positive health history remains relatively low, possibly due to weak associations between health conditions and tinnitus. Noise, male sex, reoccurring ear infections, European ethnicity, and a positive health history revealed higher odds of reporting chronic tinnitus than their counterparts. These risk factors collectively explained about 16% variability in chronic tinnitus, which highlights the need for identifying other risk factors for chronic tinnitus in young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases in the form of 'typhus' (74.2%) and 'fevers' (17.2%) were the commonest conditions accounting for entry to the Wakefield Workhouse Infirmary between 1826 and 1857, as recorded in the admissions book. Skin diseases were noted for 3.2% of admissions, principally scarlet fever (1.5%) and smallpox (0.8%). The mean age for primary dermatological admissions was 20 years (compared with 24 years for patients overall), with a mortality rate of 0.3%. The low number of smallpox cases may be the result of successful vaccination campaigns. The absence of admissions because of scabies (then known as 'the itch') might be as a result of exclusion of such patients from entry because of the known extreme infectivity of the condition. Workhouses played an important role in medical care in 19th century Britain but, in this example, skin diseases did not feature highly as causes of admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has implemented a series of long-term measures to control the spread of COVID-19, however, the effects of these measures on other chronic and acute respiratory infectious diseases remain unclear. Tuberculosis (TB) and scarlet fever (SF) serve as representatives of chronic and acute respiratory infectious diseases, respectively. In China's Guizhou province, an area with a high prevalence of TB and SF, approximately 40,000 TB cases and hundreds of SF cases are reported annually. To assess the impact of COVID-19 prevention and control on TB and SF in Guizhou, the exponential smoothing method was employed to establish a prediction model for analyzing the influence of COVID-19 prevention and control on the number of TB and SF cases. Additionally, spatial aggregation analysis was utilized to describe spatial changes in TB and SF before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The parameters of the TB and SF prediction models are R2 = 0.856, BIC = 10.972 and R2 = 0.714, BIC = 5.325, respectively. TB and SF cases declined rapidly at the onset of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, with the number of SF cases decreasing for about 3–6 months and the number of TB cases remaining in decline for 7 months after the 11th month. The spatial aggregation of TB and SF did not change significantly before and after the COVID-19 outbreak but exhibited a marked decrease. These findings suggest that China's COVID-19 prevention and control measures also reduced the prevalence of TB and SF in Guizhou. These measures may have a long-term positive impact on TB, but a short-term effect on SF. Areas with high TB prevalence may continue to experience a decline due to the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Group A streptococcus is a common cause of pharyngitis and can also cause a wide variety of invasive infections, including necrotizing soft-tissue infections. The presented case is one of the rare occurrences of necrotizing soft-tissue infection as a consequence of hematogenous spread and is the first described pediatric case of streptococcal myositis that was clearly preceded by pharyngitis. Case Report: A 2.5-year-old boy, previously healthy, fell ill 3 days before admission with high-grade fever, diffuse erythematous truncal rash and, later, with pain in the left lower leg. The next day, scarlet fever was diagnosed, and he was started on oral penicillin V. In the following 2 days, the fever and pain in the leg did not subside; edema and redness of the left shin appeared. On admission, he was febrile and had tachycardia, and the mouth examination was consistent with bacterial pharyngitis. The left shin was grossly edematous, with diffuse bluish skin discoloration. Empiric antibiotic treatment with benzylpenicillin and clindamycin was started. An ultrasound scan of the left shin revealed extensive myonecrosis. Urgent fasciotomy was done, and necrotic muscles were surgically excised. Conclusions: Streptococcal necrotizing myositis is exceedingly rare. Due to potentially life-threatening complications and a need for urgent surgical intervention, clinicians must have a low threshold of suspicion, even in atypical pathogenesis and presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Certain bacterial infectious diseases are categorized as notifiable infectious diseases in China. Understanding the time-varying epidemiology of bacterial infections diseases can provide scientific evidence to inform prevention and control measures. Methods: Yearly incidence data for all 17 major notifiable bacterial infectious diseases (BIDs) at the province level were obtained from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System in China between 2004 and 2019. Of them 16 BIDs are divided into four categories, respiratory transmitted diseases (RTDs, 6 diseases), direct contact/fecal-oral transmitted diseases (DCFTDs, 3 diseases), blood-borne/sexually transmitted diseases (BSTDs, 2 diseases), and zoonotic and vector-borne diseases (ZVDs, 5 diseases), and neonatal tetanus is excluded in the analysis. We characterized the demographic, temporal, and geographical features of the BIDs and examined their changing trends using a joinpoint regression analysis. Results: During 2004‒2019, 28 779 thousand cases of BIDs were reported, with an annualized incidence rate of 134.00 per 100 000. RTDs were the most commonly reported BIDs, accounting for 57.02% of the cases (16 410 639/28 779 000). Average annual percent changes (AAPC) in incidence were − 1.98% for RTDs, − 11.66% for DCFTDs, 4.74% for BSTDs, and 4.46% for ZVDs. Females had a higher incidence of syphilis than males, and other BIDs were more commonly reported in males. Among 0-5-year-olds, the diseases with the largest increases in incidence were pertussis (15.17% AAPC) and scarlet fever (12.05%). Children and students had the highest incidence rates of scarlet fever, pertussis, meningococcal meningitis, and bacillary dysentery. Northwest China had the highest incidence of RTDs, while South and East China had the highest incidences of BSTDs. Laboratory confirmation of BIDs increased from 43.80 to 64.04% during the study period. Conclusions: RTDs and DCFTDs decreased from 2004 to 2019 in China, while BSTDs and ZVDs increased during the same period. Great attention should be paid to BSTDs and ZVDs, active surveillance should be strengthened, and timely control measures should be adopted to reduce the incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics is the property of Xiangya Medical Periodical Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The severity of respiratory infections significantly increases when bacterial infections occur simultaneously (i.e., co-infection) or after viral infections (i.e., secondary infections) [[12]]. Group A I Streptococcus i (GAS) is a major human pathogen that can cause diseases, ranging from mild to severe systemic and invasive diseases. Although there are few data on mixed infections of influenza A virus and GAS, the available data suggest that the severity of mixed infection is higher than that of single infections [[14]]. Since the 1918 influenza pandemic, it has been shown that bacterial infections can be complicated by viral influenza infections, and the most common cause of severe and fatal bronchopneumonia is secondary influenza A infection with I Streptococcus pneumoniae i or GAS, and both influenza A and influenza B viruses are associated with an increased risk of severe GAS infection [[13]]. [Extracted from the article]

Birds are the vertebrate group most used in studies that attempts to decipher the events that have molded the diversification of the Amazonian biota. However, inconsistencies related to the existence of polytypic species, associated with the limited samples available for many regions, hamper the accurate reconstruction of phylogeographic patterns. In particular, no molecular study has yet included all the subspecific taxa currently recognized in the Band-tailed Manakin, Pipra fasciicauda. This species encompasses a complex of subspecies differentiated by their morphological traits and distinct regional distributions. The present study investigated the current taxonomic and phylogeographic configuration of P. fasciicauda using a multilocus molecular approach to decipher the biogeographic events that determined the diversification of this group. This analysis included all the recognized subspecies, sampled widely throughout their respective areas of occurrence. The molecular data indicate the existence of three monophyletic lineages that coincide only partially with the current subspecific classification of the group. Lineage 1 grouped all the specimens of the subspecies Pipra fasciicauda purusiana and Pipra fasciicauda saturata. Lineage 2 was composed of the individuals of Pipra fasciicauda fasciicauda and Pipra fasciicauda calamae, while lineage 3 was formed by the specimens of Pipra fasciicauda scarlatina. Lineage 1 was estimated to have diverged from the other lineages by around 0.43 Mya, while lineages 2 and 3 would have separated by 0.17 Mya, which indicates that their current phylogeographic configuration was determined by events occurring during the middle Pleistocene. The demographic analyses revealed a process of recent geographic expansion, with dispersal events molding the gene flow among lineages. As observed in other bird taxa, the diversification of P. fasciicauda has been associated with the hydrographic dynamics of the Amazon basin, together with climatic shifts, which have combined to determine the differentiation of the populations from west to east within the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Scarlet fever is usually a mild childhood disease caused by type A streptococci. This disease is spread by droplets, mainly through direct contact with an infected person or the objects they have used. In pediatrics, these are significant risk factors for the transmission of infectious diseases. However, it is important to remember the possibility of serious complications in the course of scarlet fever. Aim: This paper provides a discussion of two pediatric cases in order to determine the possibilities of diagnosis, differentiation, and treatment of patients with severe, non-obvious courses of scarlet fever. Methods: The case reports of two patients hospitalized in a pediatric department due to Streptococcus pyogenes infection were examined. Results: The patients were admitted to the emergency room with symptoms not directly indicative of type A streptococcal infection, which required further diagnosis. Both patients complained of weakness at the time of presentation. They had an elevated temperature, were dehydrated during the course of gastroenteritis, and passed liquid stools without pathological admixtures. Further stages of diagnosis and treatment required hospitalization in the pediatric department. Therapeutic benefit from the implemented treatment was obtained, and the patients were discharged in good general condition with further recommendations. Conclusions: Medical history, which is often very detailed, can be the key to making the final diagnosis and can supplement the data collected on the basis of laboratory tests. Scarlet fever does not always occur with a mild course, and sometimes its course can be quite non-specific and may require a thorough diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of a 54-year-old woman who presented to the hospital with symptoms of acute fevers, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Initial investigations revealed severe pancolitis, and blood cultures identified Streptococcus pyogenes as the causative agent. The patient was treated with antibiotics and eventually recovered. The article highlights the rare manifestation of group A streptococcal (GAS) colitis and emphasizes the importance of considering uncommon presentations of streptococcal infections in the differential diagnosis for colitis. It also mentions the seasonal surge of invasive GAS disease and the need for household contacts to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

Professor Alasdair Macintosh Geddes, born on May 14, 1934, in Fortrose, Scotland, was a renowned physician and specialist in clinical infection. Despite facing criticism for choosing a specialty considered redundant at the time, Geddes played a crucial role in establishing clinical infection as a competitive and mainstream field. He served as a consultant physician at East Birmingham Hospital, where his expertise and approachability made him highly sought after by colleagues and junior doctors. Geddes made significant contributions to the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis and played a key role in public health measures during a smallpox outbreak. He also conducted important clinical studies on antimicrobials and was a founding member of the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Geddes passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of infectious diseases. [Extracted from the article]

A new variant of Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M1 (designated 'M1UK') has been reported in the United Kingdom, linked with seasonal scarlet fever surges, marked increase in invasive infections, and exhibiting enhanced expression of the superantigen SpeA. The progenitor S. pyogenes 'M1global' and M1UK clones can be differentiated by 27 SNPs and 4 indels, yet the mechanism for speA upregulation is unknown. Here we investigate the previously unappreciated expansion of M1UK in Australia, now isolated from the majority of serious infections caused by serotype M1 S. pyogenes. M1UK sub-lineages circulating in Australia also contain a novel toxin repertoire associated with epidemic scarlet fever causing S. pyogenes in Asia. A single SNP in the 5' transcriptional leader sequence of the transfer-messenger RNA gene ssrA drives enhanced SpeA superantigen expression as a result of ssrA terminator read-through in the M1UK lineage. This represents a previously unappreciated mechanism of toxin expression and urges enhanced international surveillance. A variant of group A Streptococcus serotype M1 (UK) has been increasingly reported and can be differentiated from the global variant by its overexpression of the superantigen SpeA. Here, Davies et al probe the mechanism behind enhanced SpeA expression and demonstrate that a SNP in the 5' leader sequence of ssrA is responsible for this virulence phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Group A streptococcus is human-restricted gram-positive pathogen, responsible for various clinical presentations from mild epidermis infections to life threatened invasive diseases. Under COVID-19 pandemic,. the characteristics of the epidemic strains of GAS could be different. Purpose: To investigate epidemiological and molecular features of isolates from GAS infections among children in Beijing, China between January 2020 and December 2021. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling was performed based on Cinical Laboratory Sandards Institute. Distribution of macrolide-resistance genes, emm types, and superantigens was examined by polymerase chain reaction. Results: 114 GAS isolates were collected which were frequent resistance against erythromycin (94.74%), followed by clindamycin (92.98%), tetracycline (87.72%). Emm12 (46.49%), emm1 (25.44%) were dominant emm types. Distribution of ermB, ermA, and mefA gene was 93.85%, 2.63%, and 14.04%, respectively. Frequent superantigenes identified were smeZ (97.39%), speG (95.65%), and speC (92.17%). Emm1 strains possessed smeZ, ssa, and speC, while emm12 possessed smeZ, ssa, speG, and speC. Erythromycin resistance was predominantly mediated by ermB. Scarlet fever strains harbored smeZ (98.81%), speC (94.05%). Impetigo strains harbored smeZ (88.98%), ssa (88.89%), and speC (88.89%). Psoriasis strains harbored smeZ (100%). Conclusions: Under COVID-19 pandemic, our collections of GAS infection cutaneous diseases decreased dramatically. Epidemiological analysis of GAS infections among children during COVID-19 pandemic was not significantly different from our previous study. There was a correlation among emm, superantigen gene and disease manifestations. Long-term surveillance and investigation of emm types and superantigens of GAS prevalence are imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scarlet fever is a mild, but highly contagious disease caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. Scarlet fever begins with flu-like symptoms and, within the first 12-48 hours, it is common for a rash to develop that feels like sandpaper to the touch. In rare cases, GAS bacteria can cause an invasive infection that can be fatal. Invasive GAS (iGAS) infection occurs when the bacteria are in a place of the body where they are not normally found, such as the blood stream. Scarlet fever is usually treated with antibiotics, which can reduce the chances of the patient developing iGAS and reduce the risk of them spreading the infection to others. The World Health Organization and UK Health Security Agency have announced that the number of scarlet fever and iGAS cases observed in children has been several times higher than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent period of time. As healthcare professionals, it is important that the dental team understand key aspects of scarlet fever. Here, scarlet fever symptoms, transmission, clinical manifestations, antibiotic treatment, and risks to the dental team are reviewed. CPD/Clinical Relevance: To describe epidemiology of scarlet fever and discuss the implications for the dental team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ongoing benefits of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for respiratory infectious diseases in China are still unclear. We aimed to explore the changes in seven respiratory infectious diseases before, during, and after COVID-19 in China from 2010 to 2021. Methods: The monthly case numbers of seven respiratory infectious diseases were extracted to construct autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. Eight indicators of NPIs were chosen from the COVID-19 Government Response Tracker system. The monthly case numbers of the respiratory diseases and the eight indicators were used to establish the Multivariable generalized linear model (GLM) to calculate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results: Compared with the year 2019, the percentage changes in 2020 and 2021 were all below 100% ranging from 3.81 to 84.71%. Pertussis and Scarlet fever started to increase in 2021 compared with 2020, with a percentage change of 183.46 and 171.49%. The ARIMA model showed a good fit, and the predicted data fitted well with the actual data from 2010 to 2019, but the predicted data was bigger than the actual number in 2020 and 2021. All eight indicators could negatively affect the incidence of respiratory diseases. The seven respiratory diseases were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 compared with 2019, with significant estimated IRRs ranging from 0.06 to 0.85. In the GLM using data for the year 2020 and 2021, the IRRs were not significant after adjusting for the eight indicators in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the incidence of the seven respiratory diseases decreased rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. At the end of 2021, we did see a rising trend for the seven respiratory diseases compared to the year 2020 when the NPIs relaxed in China, but the rising trend was not significant after adjusting for the NPIs indicators. Our study showed that NPIs have an effect on respiratory diseases, but Relaxation of NPIs might lead to the resurgence of respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lijecnicki Vjesnik is the property of Croatian Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Acute ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections were the commonest referrals from accident and emergency to ENT services. The referral rate changed dramatically with season, year, national outbreaks and during the COVID pandemic. Method: Retrospective longitudinal study of the epidemiology of seven acute ENT infections in secondary care over 10 years. A mixed city and rural population of over 650 000 in central England was studied. The risk factors for each wave of infection during the surge of infection were sought. A statistical analysis of their significance was undertaken. This included analysis and correlation of group A‐beta haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) in hospital and community. Seasonal variations, hospital admissions and the impact of the COVID were analysed. Results: There were 16 883 reported cases of the seven index ENT infections during the 10‐year period. Great seasonal and year‐to‐year variations were recorded. There was an incremental rise in 2018. Spring had the highest season of acute ENT infections. An outbreak of GABHS was noted in the community in 2014. The mean duration of hospital admission was 1.5 days. There was no statistical ethnic or gender predominance. A dramatically lower number of acute ENT infections were recorded during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and this continued after lifting of lockdown restrictions. Conclusion: A resurgence in scarlet fever directly and indirectly contributed to an incremental rise in acute ENT infections in the following years. Both hospital and community B‐haemolytic cultures have declined during the COVID‐19 pandemic due to a reduction in infections as opposed to reduced case ascertainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]