Transportation capacity for patients with highly infectious diseases in Europe: a survey in 16 nations.

Highly infectious diseases (HIDs) are defined as being transmissible from person to person, causing life-threatening illnesses and presenting a serious public health hazard. In most European Union member states specialized isolation facilities are responsible for the management of such cases. Ground ambulances are often affiliated with those facilities because rapid relocation of patients is most desirable. To date, no pooled data on the accessibility, technical specifications and operational procedures for such transport capacities are available. During 2009, the 'European Network for HIDs' conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hospitals responsible for HID patients in Europe including an assessment of (a) legal aspects; (b) technical and infrastructure aspects; and (c) operational procedures for ground ambulances used for HID transport. Overall, 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries were evaluated and feedback rates ranged from 78% to 100% (n = 37 to n = 48 centres). Only 46.8% (22/47) of all centres have both national and local guidelines regulating HID patient transport. If recommended, specific equipment is found in 90% of centres (9/10), but standard ambulances in only 6/13 centres (46%). Exclusive entrances (32/45; 71%) and pathways (30/44; 68.2%) for patient admission, as well as protocols for disinfection of ambulances (34/47; 72.3%) and equipment (30/43; 69.8%) exist in most centres. In conclusion, the availability and technical specifications of ambulances broadly differ, reflecting different preparedness levels within the European Union. Hence, regulations for technical specifications and operational procedures should be harmonized to promote patient and healthcare worker safety.

Effect of ethnicity on care pathway and outcomes in patients hospitalized with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in the UK.

Data were extracted from the case records of UK patients admitted with laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. White and non-White patients were characterized by age, sex, socioeconomic status, pandemic wave and indicators of pre-morbid health status. Logistic regression examined differences by ethnicity in patient characteristics, care pathway and clinical outcomes; multivariable models controlled for potential confounders. Whites (n = 630) and non-Whites (n = 510) differed by age, socioeconomic status, pandemic wave of admission, pregnancy, recorded obesity, previous and current smoking, and presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After adjustment for a priori confounders non-Whites were less likely to have received pre-admission antibiotics [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0·43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·28-0·68, P < 0·001) but more likely to receive antiviral drugs as in-patients (aOR 1·53, 95% CI 1·08-2·18, P = 0·018). However, there were no significant differences by ethnicity in delayed admission, severity at presentation for admission, or likelihood of severe outcome.

Infection control practices in facilities for highly infectious diseases across Europe.

BACKGROUND: The management of patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) is a challenge for healthcare provision requiring a high level of care without compromising the safety of other patients and healthcare workers. AIM: To study the infection control practice in isolation facilities participating in the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases (EuroNHID) project. METHODS: A survey was conducted during 2009 of 48 isolation facilities caring for patients with HIDs in 16 European countries. Checklists and standard evaluation forms were used to collect and interpret data on hand hygiene, routine hygiene and disinfection, and waste management. FINDINGS: Forty percent of HIDs had no non-hand-operated sinks or alcohol-based antiseptic distributors, while 27% did not have procedures for routine hygiene, final disinfection, or safe discarding of non-disposable objects or equipment. There was considerable variation in the management of waste and in the training of housekeeping personnel. EuroNHID has developed recommendations for hand hygiene, disinfection, routine hygiene, and waste management. CONCLUSIONS: Most aspects of hand hygiene, routine hygiene and disinfection, and waste management were considered at least partially adequate in the majority of European isolation facilities dedicated for the care of patients with HIDs. But considerable variability was observed, with management of waste and training of housekeeping personnel being generally less satisfactory.

Isolation rooms for highly infectious diseases: an inventory of capabilities in European countries.

Isolation of patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) in hospital rooms with adequate technical facilities is essential to reduce the risk of spreading disease. The European Network for Infectious Diseases (EUNID), a project co-funded by European Commission and involving 16 European Union member states, performed an inventory of high level isolation rooms (HIRs, hospital rooms with negative pressure and anteroom). In participating countries, HIRs are available in at least 211 hospitals, with at least 1789 hospital beds. The adequacy of this number is not known and will depend on prevailing circumstances. Sporadic HID cases can be managed in the available HIRs. HIRs could also have a role in the initial phases of an influenza pandemic. However, large outbreaks due to natural or to bioterrorist events will need management strategies involving healthcare facilities other than HIRs.

EuroNHID checklists for the assessment of high-level isolation units and referral centres for highly infectious diseases: results from the pilot phase of a European survey.

Healthcare settings have been identified as preferential for the transmission of many agents causing highly infectious diseases (HIDs). Infection control procedures strongly reduce the risk of transmission of HIDs in hospital settings, when adequately applied. The main objective of the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases (EuroNHID), a network co-funded by the European Commission, is to assess the current capabilities for dealing with HIDs in Europe, specifically in the context of infection control and healthcare worker (HCW) safety, through conducting an on-the-field survey of high-level isolation units (HLIUs)/referral centres for the management of HIDs in participating countries. During the first year of the project's activities, specifically designed, evidence-based checklists were developed. This review introduces the EuroNHID checklists as a standard tool for the assessment of hospital capabilities concerning infection control and HCW safety in the management of patients with HIDs, and presents preliminary results from five HLIUs.

Training health care workers to face highly infectious diseases.

The safe management and control of an infectious disease emergency (IDE) is early recognition, prompt isolation of the patient(s), and rapid alert of public health authorities. Training has an important role in this context and healthcare professionals, the group most likely to be initially exposed to an IDE and thus responsible for its recognition, should benefit from training that is both targeted and standardized. In September 2006 the National Institute for infectious diseases, L Spallanzani, Rome was awarded a grant from the European Commission for the training of front-line healthcare professionals from EU member states, candidate countries and EEA/EFTA countries. A course was developed in conjunction with experts from five European countries (France, Germany, Greece, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the main partner Italy) with the intention of creating a network of trained specialists which will facilitate communication and collaboration among European Countries in the challenging years to come.

European concepts for the domestic transport of highly infectious patients.

Highly infectious diseases involve clinical syndromes ranging from single to multiorgan infections and pose a constant threat to the public. In the absence of a definite treatment for most causative agents, patients benefit from maximum supportive care as clinical conditions may deteriorate in the short term. Hence, following initial case identification and isolation, rapid transportation to a specialized treatment unit must be considered in order to minimize the risk of secondary infections, but this is limited by available infrastructure, accessible care en route and the patient's clinical condition. Despite the development of consensus curricula for the clinical management of highly infectious patients, medical transportation lacks a common European approach. This article describes, as examples, three current European concepts for the domestic relocation of highly infectious patients by ground vehicles and aircraft with respect to national legislation and geography.

A curriculum for training healthcare workers in the management of highly infectious diseases.

The SARS epidemic, the threat of bioterrorism, and recent examples of imported highly infectious diseases (HID) in Europe have all highlighted the importance of competent clinical and public health management of infectious disease emergencies. Although the European Union of Medical Specialists in Europe and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have developed curricula for training in infectious disease medicine, neither of those mentions training in the management of HIDs. The European Network for Infectious Diseases (EUNID, http://www.eunid.com) is a European Commission co-funded network of experts in HID management, created to help improve the preparedness for HID emergencies within Europe. One of EUNID's agreed tasks is the development of a curriculum for such a training. Between April 2005 and September 2006, EUNID developed a curriculum and accompanying training course on the basis of a questionnaire that was sent to all country representatives and discussion, followed by amendment of drafts shared through the project website, and a final consensus meeting. The resulting curriculum consists of a two-module course covering the core knowledge and skills that healthcare workers need to safely treat a patient who has, or who may have, an HID. The first module introduces theoretical aspects of HID management, including disease-specific knowledge, infection control, and the public health response, through didactic teaching and class-based discussion. The second module involves a "skill station" and a clinical scenario, and equips trainees with relevant practical skills, including the use of specialised equipment and teamwork practice in patient management. Together, the curriculum and course contribute to the creation of a common framework for training healthcare professionals in Europe, and although they are designed primarily for clinicians that are directly involved in patient care, they are relevant also to public health professionals and others who may be involved in HID management and emergency response.

Paradoxical reactions during tuberculosis treatment in patients with and without HIV co-infection.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that deterioration of tuberculosis (TB) during appropriate treatment, termed a paradoxical reaction (PR), is more common and severe in HIV positive individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHOD: A study was undertaken to determine the frequency of PR and its associated features in a population of HIV+TB+ patients and a similar sized group of HIV-TB+ individuals. RESULTS: PR occurred in 28% of 50 HIV+TB+ patients and 10% of 50 HIV-TB+ patients. Disseminated TB was present in eight of 13 HIV+TB+ patients and four of five HIV-TB+ patients with PR. In 28 HIV+TB+ patients starting HAART, PR was significantly associated with commencing HAART within 6 weeks of starting antituberculosis treatment (p = 0.03) and was more common in those with disseminated TB (p = 0.09). No association was found between development of PR and baseline CD4 count or CD4 response to HAART. CONCLUSIONS: PR is common in HIV infected and uninfected individuals with TB. Early introduction of HAART and the presence of disseminated TB appear to be important in co-infected patients.

The public health response to a case of Lassa fever in London in 2000.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the Department of Health 1996 guidance, the Memorandum on the Management and Control of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers. METHODS: Description of the public health management in 2000 of the fifth UK patient confirmed to have Lassa fever. RESULTS: Delayed risk categorisation of the patient occurred for a variety of reasons. DH Guidance was followed once infection control advice was sought. Active surveillance of 125 contacts was extremely resource intense, involving over 3000 communications. Self-monitoring by healthcare workers should be considered in future. Advice on use of ribavirin prophylaxis is not included in the Memorandum, nor advice or templates for information sheets for contacts. Information sheets are now available from the Health Protection Agency in the event of future cases. International aspects not adequately addressed include the need for reliable risk assessment to be carried out before patients are medically evacuated from the country of origin, and the steps required to repatriate UK nationals. Effective and efficient communication is required between national and international organisations involved in such incidents. CONCLUSIONS: If guidelines are unclear or impracticable they will not be followed. It is important that lessons are learned and documented and that national guidance be regularly reviewed.

Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom for 2003.

This updated guidance from the Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention for UK Travellers provides the essential information for healthcare workers who advise travellers. The many personal, visit and location-specific factors that need to be taken into account are discussed. Tables include the available antimalarials for prophylaxis and for standby treatment, appropriate choices of regimen by region and country for malarious areas, and the adjustments needed for children and in concomitant disease. There is greater emphasis on mefloquine, doxycycline and atovaquone/proguanil as the three options for highly chloroquine-resistant falciparum malarious areas, and changes in emergency standby medication.

Malaria prophylaxis for long-term travellers.

These guidelines are designed to assist healthcare workers who are advising long-term travellers on malaria prophylaxis, defined for the purpose of this document as those travelling for longer than 6 months. The document focuses on long-term use of antimalarials for adults, but also identifies specific issues for women and children. However, data on the long-term use of antimalarials is limited for all travellers and few data are available on the incidence of malaria in travellers overseas or, indeed, deaths overseas from malaria. Whilst all available evidence is taken into account, the advice provided also reflects experienced professional opinion. This document has been written on behalf of the Health Protection Agency's Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention for UK Travellers, and is designed to act as a supplement to the 'Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom for 2003'. The latter document contains a more complete description of antimalarials and additional preventive measures, together with recommendations for malaria chemoprophylaxis for individuals countries. Decisions on the terms under which different drugs are licensed for use are the responsibility of the Committee on Safety of Medicines. This paper should also, therefore, be used in conjunction with Summary of Product Characteristics (data sheets).

Trichinellosis acquired in the United Kingdom.

An outbreak of trichinellosis that occurred in the United Kingdom is described. Members of four households consumed pork salami from northern Serbia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Eight cases of trichinellosis occurred. Clinical and laboratory features of the cases were typical with myalgia (7 cases), fever (6), headache (5), periorbital oedema (4), non-specific ST/T wave changes on electrocardiogram (3), Trichinella antibodies (6), eosinophilia (7) and raised serum creatine kinase (3). All recovered. Trichinella larvae were detected in the salami. During pre-travel counselling, travellers should be advised about possible risk from cured pork products which have been produced locally in Trichinella endemic areas.

Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom for 2001.

These guidelines on malaria prevention are designed to aid health care workers who advise travellers, particularly those who will be overseas for less than a year. The present, and any future, revisions are the responsibility of the Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention in UK travellers (ACMP; membership given at the end of the Guidelines). This has replaced the consensus meetings which produced earlier versions from 1980 to the the 1997 version. The guidelines are in three parts. The first part is a summary that emphasises modifications to the advice given in the last set of guidelines, published in 1997. The second part discusses the issues addressed in formulating the guidelines. Oversimplified lists of recommendations by country can be misleading. The second part also addresses the health care worker's consultation with prospective travellers. Doctors, practice nurses and pharmacists are asked to read this section to ensure that due attention is paid to the traveller's history and destination. The third part gives specific recommendations for travellers to specific destinations and some details of individual drugs. Fuller information on some drugs now less used was given in earlier versions of the guidelines. These guidelines reflect experienced professional opinion. Data are inadequate for unequivocal views to be given on several issues, but all available evidence has been taken into consideration. There is often a range of acceptable options, but to meet the requests of general practitioners the guidelines aim to give one recommended option and state the alternatives, suggesting when and how different regimens can be used to good effect. However, there are now several options for effective prophylaxis of highly chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria, and the choice between them will depend on details of the journey and individual preferences. Decisions on the terms under which different drugs are licensed for use are the responsibility of the Licensing Authority, advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and not of the ACMP. The guidelines should therefore be read as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the relevant data sheets. In concept and practice, chemoprophylaxis lies somewhere between vaccinations (for which people expect governments to lay down schedules) and treatment of ill people (which is determined by individual clinical need and choice). The risks of malaria need to be balanced against the risks of the preventive measures, on the basis of the data available. Travellers may ask for an explanation of these risks and doctors and practice nurses need to be well informed and able to present this information to travellers. The second part of these guidelines may also be of use to prospective travellers who wish to read about the options themselves. All readers are recommended to read part two in its entirety to get a balanced picture.

Comparison of fitness of two isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, one of which had developed multi-drug resistance during the course of treatment.

OBJECTIVES: We report the cases of two patients, brother and sister, both with pulmonary tuberculosis. Both patients complied poorly with treatment. One developed multi-drug resistant disease, whilst the other did not. We aimed to show that the two infecting strains were the same, and then to compare the fitness of the resistant strain to that of the sensitive strain. METHODS: The isolates were typed by RFLP. The fitness of the multi-drug resistant tuberculosis strain was determined by calculating the ratio of generation produced by the drug-resistant and a drug-susceptible strain in a mixed culture. The number of bacteria present in this broth culture was estimated using the Miles and Misra technique. The number of drug-resistant bacteria present was determined by inoculating aliquots of broth onto Middlebrook 7H10 agar with 5mg/l rifampicin. RESULTS: The infecting strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was shown to be the same on RFLP typing in both cases. It was found that the multi-drug resistant organism had decreased fitness compared to the sensitive organism. CONCLUSION: The decreased relative fitness of the resistant strain implies a physiologic cal cost for the development of drug resistance.

Review of 26 years' hospital admissions for chickenpox in North London.

The epidemiology of chickenpox admissions to an Infectious Diseases Unit was studied over 26 years. Risk factors, markers of disease severity, and complications were analysed in patients admitted during the last 5 years. Some 613 patients were admitted with chickenpox over three 5-year periods between 1968 and 1993. There was a 2.23-fold increase in the number of adults admitted from home between the first and last period. Patients of European origin showed a three-fold increase. The mean age of adults rose from 26.2 to 34.3 years. Some 23% of adults had varicella pneumonitis. Smokers were six times more susceptible to pneumonitis than were non-smokers. Adult asthmatics were not at increased risk, whereas 42% of asthmatic children had chest complications. Seventeen of the 18 immunocompromised patients had a relatively uncomplicated course. Of the children, 32% had secondary skin infections, with no excess complications among those with eczema. Thrombocytopenia and elevated aspartate transaminases were four times and twice, more frequent in adults than children, respectively. These features occurred mostly in males. The male-to-female admission ratio was 2:1 in adults, and 1.2:1 in children. Males in both age groups showed a trend to more severe disease and more primary complications than did females. Our data showed an increase in adult chickenpox admissions. We have identified asthma as a risk factor for pulmonary complications in children, but not adults, and male gender as an independent risk factor for severe chickenpox.

A study of the immunology of the chronic fatigue syndrome: correlation of immunologic parameters to health dysfunction.

Surface and intracellular immunologic and apoptotic markers and functional lymphocyte assays after stimulation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were studied in 44 patients fulfilling the Oxford criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Results were then correlated to scores for the Short Form-36 health questionnaire (SF-36), which assesses eight aspects of patient's well-being, and for the general health questionnaire (GHQ), which detects current psychiatric disorder. Patients had significantly increased mean fluorescence intensity readings of HLA-DR in CD4 and CD8 cells (P < 0.05). Expression of the costimulatory receptor CD28 in CD8 cells was significantly reduced, and the apoptosis repressor ratio of bcl-2/bax in both CD4 and CD8 was increased in patients (P < 0.05). Patients with increased HLA-DR expression had significantly lower SF-36 total scores, worse body pains, and poorer general health perception and physical functioning scores. Increased spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation was associated with poor general health perception. PHA proliferative responses were lower in patients with poor emotional and mental health scores, and the anti-CD3/anti-CD28 response was low in those with low general health perception scores. Higher spontaneous proliferation and reduced PHA responses correlated with higher GHQ scores. Similarly, GHQ scores were significantly higher, indicating worse mental health, in those with lower total SF-36 scores and worse general and mental health scores in the SF-36 questionnaire. Finally, higher expression of the costimulatory molecule CD28 correlated with higher total SF-36 scores, general health perception and social functioning scores, and with lower role limitation due to physical health. The increased expression of class II antigens and the reduced expression of the costimulatory receptor CD28, which is a marker of terminally differentiated cells, lend further support to the concept of immunoactivation of T-lymphocytes in CFS and may be consistent with the notion of a viral etiopathogenesis in the illness. We report, for the first time, increased expression of the apoptosis repressor protein bcl-2, which may contribute to enhanced survival of activated lymphocytes. Using the SF-36 health assessment questionnaire and the GHQ, we demonstrated changes in different immunological parameters, each of which correlated with particular aspects of disease symptomatology.