Early Release

Perspective

• Viral Interference between Respiratory Viruses
  J. Piret and G. Boivin View Abstract Email this Article

  Multiple respiratory viruses can concurrently or sequentially infect the respiratory tract and lead to virus‒virus interactions. Infection by a first virus could enhance or reduce infection and replication of a second virus, resulting in positive (additive or synergistic) or negative (antagonistic) interaction. The concept of viral interference has been demonstrated at the cellular, host, and population levels. The mechanisms involved in viral interference have been evaluated in differentiated airway epithelial cells and in animal models susceptible to the respiratory viruses of interest. A likely mechanism is the interferon response that could confer a temporary nonspecific immunity to the host. During the coronavirus disease pandemic, nonpharmacologic interventions have prevented the circulation of most respiratory viruses. Once the sanitary restrictions are lifted, circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses is expected to resume and will offer the opportunity to study their interactions, notably with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Synopses

• Novel Clinical Monitoring Approaches for Reemergence of Diphtheria Myocarditis, Vietnam
  H. Chanh et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Diphtheria is a life-threatening, vaccine-preventable disease caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium bacterial species that continues to cause substantial disease and death worldwide, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are forecast because of health service disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic. Diphtheria causes a spectrum of clinical disease, ranging from cutaneous forms to severe respiratory infections with systemic complications, including cardiac and neurologic. In this synopsis, we describe a case of oropharyngeal diphtheria in a 7-year-old boy in Vietnam who experienced severe myocarditis complications. We also review the cardiac complications of diphtheria and discuss how noninvasive bedside imaging technologies to monitor myocardial function and hemodynamic parameters can help improve the management of this neglected infectious disease.

• Medscape CME Activity
  Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics and Outcome of Illness Caused by Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus without Central Nervous System Involvement
  P. Bogovič et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Information on febrile illness caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) without central nervous system involvement is limited. We characterized 98 patients who had TBEV RNA in their blood but no central nervous system involvement at the time of evaluation. Median duration of illness was 7 days; 37 (38%) patients were hospitalized. The most frequent findings were malaise or fatigue (98%), fever (97%), headache (86%), and myalgias (54%); common laboratory findings were leukopenia (88%), thrombocytopenia (59%), and abnormal liver test results (63%). During the illness, blood leukocyte counts tended to improve, whereas thrombocytopenia and liver enzymes tended to deteriorate. At the time of positive PCR findings, 0/98 patients had serum IgG TBEV and 7 serum IgM TBEV; all patients later seroconverted. Viral RNA load was higher in patients with more severe illness but did not differ substantially in relation to several other factors. Illness progressed to tick-borne encephalitis in 84% of patients within 18 days after defervescence.

Research

• Rapid Spread of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus by Parthenogenetic Asian Longhorned Ticks
  X. Zhang et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is spreading rapidly in Asia. This virus is transmitted by the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), which has parthenogenetically and sexually reproducing populations. Parthenogenetic populations were found in ≥15 provinces in China and strongly correlated with the distribution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome cases. However, distribution of these cases was poorly correlated with the distribution of populations of bisexual ticks. Phylogeographic analysis suggested that the parthenogenetic population spread much faster than bisexual population because colonization is independent of sexual reproduction. A higher proportion of parthenogenetic ticks was collected from migratory birds captured at an SFTSV-endemic area, implicating the contribution to the long-range movement of these ticks in China. The SFTSV susceptibility of parthenogenetic females was similar to that of bisexual females under laboratory conditions. These results suggest that parthenogenetic Asian longhorned ticks, probably transported by migratory birds, play a major role in the rapid spread of SFTSV.

• Role of Anopheles Mosquitoes in Cache Valley Virus Lineage Displacement, New York, USA
  C. Dieme et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Cache Valley virus (CVV) is a mosquitoborne virus that infects livestock and humans. We report results of surveillance for CVV in New York, USA, during 2000–2016; full-genome analysis of selected CVV isolates from sheep, horse, humans, and mosquitoes from New York and Canada; and phenotypic characterization of selected strains. We calculated infection rates by using the maximum-likelihood estimation method by year, region, month, and mosquito species. The highest maximum-likelihood estimations were for Anopheles spp. mosquitoes. Our phylogenetic analysis identified 2 lineages and found evidence of segment reassortment. Furthermore, our data suggest displacement of CVV lineage 1 by lineage 2 in New York and Canada. Finally, we showed increased vector competence of An. quadrimaculatus mosquitoes for lineage 2 strains of CVV compared with lineage 1 strains.

• Effectiveness of mRNA BNT162b2 Vaccine 6 Months after Vaccination among Patients in Large Health Maintenance Organization, Israel
  J. Kertes et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Israel experienced a new wave of coronavirus disease during June 2021, six months after implementing a national vaccination campaign. We conducted 3 discrete analyses using data from a large health maintenance organization in Israel to determine whether IgG levels of fully vaccinated persons decrease over time, describe the relationship between IgG titer and subsequent PCR-confirmed infection, and compare PCR-confirmed infection rates by period of vaccination. Mean IgG levels steadily decreased over the 6-month period in the total tested population and in all age groups. An inverse relationship was found between IgG titer and subsequent PCR-positive infection. Persons vaccinated during the first 2 months of the campaign were more likely to become infected than those subsequently vaccinated. The vaccinated group >60 years of age had lower initial IgG levels and were at greater risk for infection. The findings support the decision to add a booster vaccine for persons >60 years of age.

• Comparative Effectiveness of Coronavirus Vaccine in Preventing Breakthrough Infections among Vaccinated Persons Infected with Delta and Alpha Variants
  I. Kislaya et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We developed a case–case study to compare mRNA vaccine effectiveness against Delta versus Alpha coronavirus variants. We used data on 2,097 case-patients with PCR-positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections reported in Portugal during May–July 2021. We estimated the odds of vaccine breakthrough infection in Delta-infected versus Alpha-infected patients by using conditional logistic regression adjusted for age group and sex and matched by the week of diagnosis. We compared reverse-transcription PCR cycle threshold values by vaccination status and variant as an indirect measure of viral load. We found significantly higher odds of vaccine breakthrough infection in Delta-infected patients than in Alpha-infected patients (odds ratio 1.96 [95% CI 1.22–3.14]), suggesting lower effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines in preventing infection with the Delta variant. We estimated lower mean cycle threshold values for the Delta cases (mean difference −2.10 [95% CI −2.74 to −1.47]), suggesting higher infectiousness than the Alpha variant.

• Wild Boars as Reservoir of Highly Virulent Clone of Hybrid Shiga Toxigenic and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Responsible for Edema Disease, France
  A. Perrat et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Edema disease is an often fatal enterotoxemia caused by specific strains of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that affect primarily healthy, rapidly growing nursery pigs. Recently, outbreaks of edema disease have also emerged in France in wild boars. Analysis of STEC strains isolated from wild boars during 2013–2019 showed that they belonged to the serotype O139:H1 and were positive for both Stx2e and F18 fimbriae. However, in contrast to classical STEC O139:H1 strains circulating in pigs, they also possessed enterotoxin genes sta1 and stb, typical of enterotoxigenic E. coli. In addition, the strains contained a unique accessory genome composition and did not harbor antimicrobial-resistance genes, in contrast to domestic pig isolates. These data thus reveal that the emergence of edema disease in wild boars was caused by atypical hybrid of STEC and enterotoxigenic E. coli O139:H1, which so far has been restricted to the wildlife environment.

• Burden of Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Sweden
  D. Slunge et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  In recent decades, the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Sweden has increased. To calculate the burden of disease over a 17-year period, we analyzed data from the Swedish National Health Data Register for TBE cases diagnosed during 1998–2014. We compared healthcare use and sick leave associated with 2,429 persons with TBE with a referent cohort of 7,287 persons without TBE. Patients with TBE were hospitalized for significantly more days during the first year after disease onset (11.5 vs. 1.1 days), logged more specialist outpatient visits (3.6 vs. 1.2 visits), and logged more sick leave days (66 vs. 10.7 days). These differences increased over time. The case-fatality rate for TBE was 1.1%. Our calculated cost of TBE to society provides a baseline for decisions on immunization programs. Analyzing register data, our study adds to clinical studies of smaller cohorts and model-based studies that calculate disease burden.

• Invasive Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infections among Persons Who Inject Drugs, Hong Kong, China, 2016–2019
  K. Luk et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  During March 2016–January 2019, Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) infection developed in 13 persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Kowloon West Region, Hong Kong, China. Seven cases were infective spondylitis, 2 endocarditis, 2 septic arthritis, 1 intramuscular abscess and bacteremia, and 1 necrotizing fasciitis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that the isolates from 9 patients were clonally related. This clone caused major illness, and 11 of the 13 patients required surgical treatment. Clinicians should be aware of this pathogen and the appropriate broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs to empirically prescribe for PWID with this life-threatening infection. Close collaboration among public health authorities, outreach social workers, and methadone clinics is essential for timely prevention and control of outbreaks in the PWID population.

• Genetic Relatedness of Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus Isolates, United States, 2019
  A. K. Dhar et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) is a nonenveloped, linear, single-stranded DNA virus belonging to the family Parvoviridae and is a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)–notifiable crustacean pathogen. During screening of Penaeus vannamei shrimp from 3 commercial shrimp facilities in the United States for a panel of OIE-listed (n = 7) and nonlisted (n = 2) crustacean diseases, shrimp from these facilities tested positive for IHHNV. Nucleotide sequences of PCR amplicons showed 99%–100% similarity to IHHNV isolates from Latin America and Asia. The whole genome of the isolates also showed high similarity to type 2 infectious forms of IHHNV. Phylogenetic analysis using capsid gene and whole-genome sequences demonstrated that the isolates clustered with an IHHNV isolate from Ecuador. The detection of an OIE-listed crustacean pathogen in the United States highlights the need for biosecurity protocols in hatcheries and grow-out ponds to mitigate losses.

• Comparison of Complications after Coronavirus Disease and Seasonal Influenza, South Korea
  H. Lee et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We conducted a retrospective cohort study using claims data to determine the number and types of complications from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that patients experience and which patients are more vulnerable to those complications compared with complications in patients with influenza. Among the cohort, 19.6% of COVID-19 patients and 28.5% of influenza patients had >1 new complication. In most complications, COVID-19 patients had lower or similar relative risk compared with influenza patients; exceptions were hair loss, heart failure, mood disorder, and dementia. Young to middle-aged adult COVID-19 patients and patients in COVID-19 hotspots had a higher risk for complications. Overall, COVID-19 patients had fewer complications than influenza patients, but caution is necessary in high-risk groups. If the fatality rate for COVID-19 is reduced through vaccination, management strategies for this disease could be adapted, similar to those for influenza management, such as easing restrictions on economic activity or requirements for close-contact isolation.

• Medscape CME Activity
  Epidemiology of Hospitalized Patients with Babesiosis, United States, 2010–2016
  E. M. Bloch et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Babesia spp. are tickborne parasites that cause the clinical infection babesiosis, which has an increasing incidence in the United States. We performed an analysis of hospitalizations in the United States during 2010–2016 in which babesiosis was listed as a diagnosis. We used the National Inpatient Sample database to characterize the epidemiology of Babesia–associated admissions, reflecting severe Babesia-related disease. Over a 7-year period, a total of 7,818 hospitalizations listed babesiosis as a primary or secondary admitting diagnosis. Hospitalizations were seasonal (71.2% occurred during June–August) and situated overwhelmingly in the Northeast and Midwest. The patients were predominantly male and of advanced age, which is consistent with the expected epidemiology. Despite a higher severity of illness in more than (58.5%), the mortality rate was low (1.6%). Comparison with state reporting data suggests that the number of hospitalized persons with babesiosis increased modestly during the observation period.

• Widespread Detection of Multiple Strains of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks, Spain
  M. Sánchez-Seco et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Human cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were first detected in Spain in 2016. National human and animal health authorities organized a large, multidisciplinary study focusing on ticks as sentinels to determine the nationwide distribution of ticks with CCHF virus. Ticks were collected from animals and vegetation, samples pooled (12,584 ticks; 4,556 pools), and molecular methods used to look for the virus. We detected the virus in 135 pools from most of the regions studied, indicating that it is widespread in Spain. We found sequences of CCHF virus genotypes I, III, and IV in the tick species collected, most commonly in Hyalomma lusitanicum, suggesting this tick has a prominent role in the virus’s natural cycle. The red deer (Cervus elaphus) was the host that most frequently yielded positive ticks. Our study highlights the need for larger studies in Spain to ascertain the complete risk to public health.

Dispatches

• West Nile Virus Transmission by Solid Organ Transplantation and Considerations for Organ Donor Screening Practices, United States
  R. A. Soto et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common domestic arbovirus in the United States. During 2018, WNV was transmitted through solid organ transplantation to 2 recipients who had neuroinvasive disease develop. Because of increased illness and death in transplant recipients, organ procurement organizations should consider screening during region-specific WNV transmission months.

• Serial Interval and Transmission Dynamics during SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Predominance, South Korea
  S. Ryu et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We estimated mean serial interval and superspreading potential for the Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in South Korea. Intervals were similar for the first (3.7 days) and second (3.5 days) study periods. Risk for superspreading events was also similar; 23% and 25% of cases, respectively, seeded 80% of transmissions.

• Postvaccination Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adult with No Evidence of Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Y. Choi et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Ten days after receiving the first dose of coronavirus disease vaccine, a 22-year-old woman in South Korea experienced myocarditis, myopathy, pericarditis, and gastroenteritis; rash subsequently developed. There was no evidence of prior infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The diagnosis was multisystem inflammatory syndrome resulting from coronavirus disease vaccination.

• SARS-CoV-2 Cross-Reactivity in Prepandemic Serum from Rural Malaria-Infected Persons, Cambodia
  J. Manning et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Inhabitants of the Greater Mekong Subregion in Cambodia are exposed to pathogens that might influence serologic cross-reactivity with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. A prepandemic serosurvey of 528 malaria-infected persons demonstrated higher-than-expected positivity of nonneutralizing IgG to spike and receptor-binding domain antigens. These findings could affect interpretation of large-scale serosurveys.

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae FC428 Subclone, Vietnam, 2019–2020
  T. Trinh et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Among 114 clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates collected in Vietnam during 2019–2020, we detected 15 of subclone sequence type 13871 of the FC428 clonal complex. Fourteen sequence type 13871 isolates with mosaic penA allele 60.001 were ceftriaxone or cefixime nonsusceptible, and 3/14 were azithromycin nonsusceptible. Emergence of this subclone threatens treatment effectiveness.

• Clinical Features and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Infants with Perinatal Vertical Transmission of Zika Virus, Colombia
  L. A. Pérez-Vera et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Transplacental transmission of Zika virus has been reported during all trimesters of pregnancy and might lead to central nervous system anomalies, including microcephaly. We report 3 cases of perinatal Zika infection identified during the epidemic in Colombia and provide detailed descriptions of clinical features, diagnosis, and neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months of age (corrected).

• Postmortem Surveillance for Ebola Virus Using OraQuick Ebola Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2019–2020
  D. Mukadi-Bamuleka et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  After a pilot study, we tested 443 cadavers using OraQuick Ebola rapid diagnostic tests during surveillance after the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No false negative and 2% false-positive results were reported. Quickly returning results and engaging the community enabled timely public health actions.

• Zoonotic Infection with Oz Virus, a Novel Thogotovirus
  N. Tran et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Oz virus is a novel thogotovirus isolated from ticks that causes lethal infection in mice. We conducted serosurveillance of Oz virus infection among humans and wild mammals in Japan using virus-neutralization tests and ELISAs. Results showed that Oz virus may be naturally infecting humans and other mammalian hosts.

• Babesia crassa–Like Human Infection Indicating Need for Adapted PCR Diagnosis of Babesiosis, France
  C. Doderer-Lang et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Human babesiosis in Europe is caused by multiple zoonotic species. We describe a case in a splenectomized patient, in which a routine Babesia divergens PCR result was negative. A universal Babesia spp. PCR yielded a positive result and enabled classification of the parasite into the less-described Babesia crassa–like complex.

• Tonate Virus and Fetal Abnormalities, French Guiana, 2019
  V. Lambert et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We report a case of vertical transmission of Tonate virus in a pregnant woman from French Guiana. The fetus showed severe necrotic and hemorrhagic lesions of the brain and spinal cord. Clinicians should be made aware of possible adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant women infected with Tonate virus.

• SARS-CoV-2 B.1.619 and B.1.620 Lineages, South Korea, 2021
  A. Park et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We report the rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 lineages B.1.619 and B.1.620 in South Korea. The surge in frequency in a relatively short time emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring for new lineages to track potential increases in transmissibility and disease severity and reductions in vaccine efficacy.

• SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence before Delta Variant Surge, Chattogram, Bangladesh, March–June 2021
  T. Bhuiyan et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  A March–June 2021 representative serosurvey among Sitakunda subdistrict (Chattogram, Bangladesh) residents found an adjusted prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies of 64.1% (95% credible interval 60.0%–68.1%). Before the Delta variant surge, most residents had been infected, although cumulative confirmed coronavirus disease incidence was low.

Research Letters

• Surveillance of Rodent Pests for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Coronaviruses, Hong Kong
  E. F. Miot et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We report surveillance conducted in 217 pestiferous rodents in Hong Kong for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA but identified 1 seropositive rodent, suggesting exposure to a virus antigenically similar to SARS-CoV-2. Potential exposure of urban rodents to SARS-CoV-2 cannot be ruled out.

• SARS-CoV-2 Circulation, Guinea, March 2020–July 2021
  S. Grayo et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  This overview of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 circulation over 1.5 years in Guinea demonstrates that virus clades and variants of interest and concern were progressively introduced, mostly by travellers through Conakry, before spreading through the country. Sequencing is key to following virus evolution and establishing efficient control strategies.

• Probable Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Quarantine Hotel, Hong Kong, China, November 2021
  H. Gu et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We report detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in an asymptomatic, fully vaccinated traveler in a quarantine hotel in Hong Kong, China. The Omicron variant was also detected in a fully vaccinated traveler staying in a room across the corridor from the index patient, suggesting transmission despite strict quarantine precautions.

• Fatal Case of Mediterranean Spotted Fever Associated with Septic Shock, Iran
  S. Esmaeili et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  A fatal case of Mediterranean spotted fever associated with septic shock was reported in a 61-year-old man living in a village in southeastern Iran. The patient had a history of tick bite a few days before symptom onset. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed infection by Rickettsia conorii subspecies israelensis.

• Spillover of Canine Parvovirus Type 2 to Pigs, South Dakota, USA, 2020
  G. Temeeyasen et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  In 1978, canine parvovirus type 2 originated from spillover of a feline panleukopenia–like virus, causing a worldwide pandemic of enteritis and myocarditis among canids. In 2020, the virus was identified in pigs in South Dakota, USA, by PCR, sequencing, in situ hybridization, and serology. Genetic analysis suggests spillover from wildlife.

• Antenatal Seroprevalence of Zika and Chikungunya Viruses, Kingston Metropolitan Area, Jamaica, 2017–2019
  J. J. Anzinger et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  To determine the extent of exposure to Zika virus (ZIKV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in Jamaica, we collected serum from 584 pregnant women during 2017–2019. We found that 15.6% had antibodies against ZIKV and 83.6% against CHIKV. These results indicate potential recirculation of ZIKV but not CHIKV in the near future.

• Genetic Diversity of Bartonella spp. in Cave-Dwelling Bats and Bat Flies, Costa Rica, 2018
  M. M. Mitchell et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  To determine Bartonella spp. dynamics, we sampled bats and bat flies across 15 roosts in Costa Rica. PCR indicated prevalence of 10.7% in bats and 29.0% in ectoparasite pools. Phylogenetic analysis of 8 sequences from bats and 5 from bat fly pools revealed 11 distinct genetic variants, including 2 potentially new genotypes.

• Dirofilaria immitis Pulmonary Dirofilariasis, Slovakia
  M. Miterpáková et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Dirofilaria immitis is a parasite related to pulmonary dirofilariasis in humans, its accidental hosts. We detected an autochthonous case of D. immitis infection in a woman from Slovakia. The emergence and spread of this parasite in Europe indicates a critical need for proper diagnosis of infection.

• Ulceroglandular Infection and Bacteremia Caused by Francisella salimarina in Immunocompromised Patient, France
  A. Hennebique et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Although Francisella tularensis is a well-known, highly virulent bacterium that causes tularemia in humans, other Francisella species have been associated with sporadic human infections. We describe a human cutaneous infection with bacteremia caused by F. salimarina, a Francisella species recently identified from seawater and fishes, in an immunocompromised patient in France.

• Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 Antibodies in Adults, Arkhangelsk, Russia
  E. Krieger et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  Population-based data on coronavirus disease in Russia and on the immunogenicity of the Sputnik V vaccine are sparse. In a survey of 1,080 residents of Arkhangelsk 40–75 years of age, 65% were seropositive for IgG. Fifteen percent of participants had been vaccinated; of those, 97% were seropositive.

• Novel Anaplasmataceae agents Candidatus Ehrlichia hydrochoerus and Anaplasma spp. Infecting Capybaras, Brazil
  T. Vieira et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  We amplified Ehrlichia and Anaplasma DNA from Amblyomma dubitatum tick–infested capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in southern Brazil. Sequencing of 16S rRNA, sodB, and groEL indicated a novel Ehrlichia species, and sequencing of 16S rRNA from 2 capybaras indicated a novel Anaplasma species. The tick vectors remain unknown.

• Rickettsiosis Caused by Rickettsia parkeri, Mexico
  G. Peniche-Lara and V. Lara-Perera View Abstract Email this Article

  We report a human case of rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest in Mexico in an adult woman from a small town in the north of Yucatan, Mexico. We confirmed diagnosis using conventional PCR and sequence analysis. Health providers should be aware of clinical manifestations of rickettsioses in this region.

• Group IV Getah Virus in Culex Mosquitoes, Malaysia
  S. Sam et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  A new Getah virus (GETV) strain, B254, was isolated from Culex fuscocephalus mosquitoes captured at Mount Ophir, Malaysia, in 2012. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that GETV B254 is distinct from the old Malaysia GETV MM2021 strain but closely related to group IV GETV from Russia (LEIV16275Mag), China (YN12031), and Thailand (GETV/SW/Thailand/2017).

Letters

• High Infection Attack Rate after SARS-CoV-2 Delta Surge, Chattogram, Bangladesh
  S. T. Hegde et al. Email this Article
• Predictors of Nonseroconversion after SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  B. Davido et al. Email this Article

Books and Media

• Legionellosis: Diagnosis and Control in the Genomic Era
  P. H. Edelstein Email this Article

Etymologia

• The Color of Puce (Pyüs)
  C. Partin Email this Article

Synopses

• Eight-Year Retrospective Study of Healthcare- and Aesthetic Procedure‒Associated Infections Caused by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, France
  C. Daniau et al.
• Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant within Tightly Monitored Isolation Facility, New Zealand (Aotearoa)
  A. Fox-Lewis et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  In New Zealand, international arrivals are quarantined and undergo severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 screening; those who test positive are transferred to a managed isolation facility (MIF). Solo traveler A and person E from a 5-person travel group (BCDEF) tested positive. After transfer to the MIF, person A and group BCDEF occupied rooms >2 meters apart across a corridor. Persons B, C, and D subsequently tested positive; viral sequences matched A and were distinct from E. The MIF was the only shared location of persons A and B, C, and D, and they had no direct contact. Security camera footage revealed 4 brief episodes of simultaneous door opening during person A’s infectious period. This public health investigation demonstrates transmission from A to B, C, and D while in the MIF, with airborne transmission the most plausible explanation. These findings are of global importance for coronavirus disease public health interventions and infection control practices.

• Rising Incidence of Legionnaires’ Disease and Associated Epidemiologic Patterns, United States, 1992–2018
  A. E. Barskey et al.
• Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Death of Neonate
  S. Reagan-Steiner et al.

Research

• Overseas Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in US–Bound Immigrants
  A. Khan et al.
• Effectiveness of 3 COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Cohort of Inhabitants in Aragon, Spain, January–May 2021
  A. del Cura-Bilbao et al.
• Infection Control Measures and Prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 IgG among 4,554 University Hospital Employees, Munich, Germany
  J. Erber et al.
• SARS-CoV-2 Period Seroprevalence and Related Factors, Hillsborough County, Florida, October 2020–March 2021
  A. R. Giuliano et al.
• COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, Behaviors, and Intentions among Previously Infected Adults, United States
  K. H. Nguyen et al.
• Novel Hendra Virus Variant Detected by Sentinel Surveillance of Horses in Australia
  E. J. Annand et al.
• Neutralizing Enterovirus D68 Antibodies in Children after 2014 Outbreak, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
  R. A. Livingston et al.
• Genomic and Phenotypic Insights for Toxigenic Clinical Vibrio cholerae O141
  Y. G. Hounmanou et al.
• Competitive Advantage of SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern over Variant of Interest as Indicated by Spatiotemporal Analyses, New York, New York, USA
  A. Russell et al.
• Nowcasting (Short-Term Forecasting) of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Using Syndromic Healthcare Data, Sweden, 2020
  A. Spreco et al.
• Development and Evaluation of Statewide Prospective Spatiotemporal Legionellosis Cluster Surveillance, New Jersey, USA
  J. A. Gleason and K. M. Ross
• Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Gene Deletions from Persons in Therapeutic Efficacy Studies in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, and Rwanda
  E. Rogier et al.
• Evaluation of Commercially Available High-Throughput SARS-Cov-2 Serologic Assays for Serosurveillance and Related Applications
  M. Stone et al.

Dispatches

• SARS-CoV-2 from Rapid Antigen Test‒Negative, Reverse Transcription PCR‒Positive Specimen Pairs of Symptomatic Persons
  D. W. Currie et al.
• Transovarial Transmission of Heartland Virus by Invasive Asian Longhorned Ticks under Laboratory Conditions
  W. R. Raney et al.
• Epidemiology of COVID-19 after Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Gamma Variant, Brazilian Amazon, 2020–2021
  V. C. Nicolete et al. View Abstract Email this Article

  The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Gamma variant has been hypothesized to cause more severe illness than previous variants, especially in children. Successive SARS-CoV-2 IgG serosurveys in the Brazilian Amazon showed that age-specific attack rates and proportions of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections were similar before and after Gamma variant emergence.

• Long-Term Symptoms among COVID-19 Survivors in Prospective Cohort Study, Brazil
  L. P. Bonifácio et al.
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Extraintestinal Microsporidiosis in Bird Owners
  M. Kicia et al.
• Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Providing Healthcare for Persons with Sexually Transmitted Infections, England
  H. D. Mitchell et al.
• Return of Norovirus and Rotavirus Activity in Winter 2020‒21 in City with Strict COVID-19 Control Strategy, Hong Kong, China
  M. Chan View Abstract Email this Article

  A rapid decrease in viral gastroenteritis during winter 2019–20 and a return of norovirus and rotavirus activity during winter 2020–21 were observed while multiple nonpharmaceutical interventions for coronavirus disease were in effect in Hong Kong. The initial collateral benefit of coronavirus disease countermeasures that reduced the viral gastroenteritis burden is not sustainable.

Research Letters

• Mycobacterium leprae Infection in a Wild Nine-Banded Armadillo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
  L. Vera-Cabrera et al.
• Mycobacterium mageritense Lymphadenitis in Child
  M. García-Boyano et al.
• Restaurant-Based Measures to Control Community Transmission of COVID-19, Hong Kong
  F. Ho et al.

Letter

• Addendum to Proposal for Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nomenclature below the Species Level
  I. G. Barr et al.

Synopses

• Shewanella Species Bloodstream Infections in Queensland, Australia
  K. B. Laupland et al.
• Increasing Antimicrobial-Drug Resistance in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2017–2019
  M. Talaat et al.

Research

• Diminishing Immune Responses against Variants of Concern in Dialysis Patients 4 Months after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination
  A. Dulovic et al.
• Infection Attack Rate and Reporting of Deaths in the First 6 Months of the COVID-19 Epidemic, Delhi, India
  M. Pons-Salort et al.

Research Letters

• Autochthonous Leishmania infantum in Dogs, Zambia, 2021
  D. Squarre et al.
• Streptobacillus notomytis Bacteremia after Exposure to Rats and Rat Feces
  A. Kawashima et al.
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