The UK experienced a national outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) disease that started in May, 2022, as did many other countries worldwide, with case numbers rising rapidly, mainly among ...gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). To control the outbreak, Modified Vaccinia Ankara–Bavaria Nordic (MVA–BN), an attenuated smallpox vaccine, was offered to at-risk GBMSM. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a single MVA–BN dose against symptomatic mpox disease in at-risk GBMSM.
In this case-coverage study, mpox cases in England were sent questionnaires collecting information on demographics, vaccination history, symptoms, and sexual orientation. Returned questionnaires were linked to laboratory data and a public health case management system (HP Zone) to obtain additional information on symptom onset and specimen date. Cases with a rash onset date (or alternative proxy) between July 4 and Oct 9, 2022, were included. Females, heterosexual men, and those with missing vaccination information were excluded. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated using the case-coverage method in which vaccine coverage among cases is compared with coverage in the eligible population, estimated from doses given to GBMSM and the estimated size of at-risk GBMSM. Sensitivity analyses included an increase and decrease of 20% differences in the estimated high-risk GBMSM population size.
By Nov 3, 2022, 1102 people had responded to questionnaires, of which 739 were excluded (52 females or self-declared male heterosexuals, 590 with an index date outside of the study period, and 97 missing a vaccination date). 363 cases were included in the analyses. Vaccine uptake among eligible GBMSM increased steadily from July, 2022, reaching 47% by Oct 9, 2022. Of the 363 confirmed cases, eight cases either did occur or were likely to have occurred at least 14 days after vaccination, 32 within 0–13 days after vaccination, and the rest were unvaccinated. The estimated vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic mpox at least 14 days after a single dose was 78% (95% CI 54 to 89) ranging from 71 to 85 in sensitivity analyses. Vaccine effectiveness within 0–13 days after vaccination was –4% (95% CI –50 to 29).
A single MVA–BN dose was highly protective against symptomatic mpox disease among at-risk GBMSM, making it a useful tool for mpox outbreak control when rapid protection is needed. For cases in which numbers at highest risk of infection exceed vaccine supply, there might be benefit in prioritising delivery of first doses.
UK Health Security Agency.
After community transmission of monkeypox virus was identified in Europe, interviews of 45 case-patients from England indicated transmission in international sexual networks of gay and bisexual men ...since April 2022. Interventions targeting sex-on-premises venues, geospatial dating applications, and sexual health services are likely to be critical for outbreak control.
Surveillance data from sexual health clinics indicate recent increases in sexually transmitted infections, particularly among men who have sex with men. The largest annual increase in syphilis ...diagnoses in a decade was reported in 2014. Less condom use may be the primary reason for these increases.
After lifting of all COVID-19 preventive measures in England in July 2021, marked, widespread increases in gonorrhea diagnoses, but not testing numbers, were observed, particularly in persons 15-24 ...years of age. Continued close surveillance and public health messaging to young persons are needed to control and prevent gonorrhea transmission.
During the 2022 multicountry mpox outbreak, the United Kingdom identified cases beginning in May. UK cases increased in June, peaked in July, then rapidly declined after September 2022. Public health ...responses included community-supported messaging and targeted mpox vaccination among eligible gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Using data from an online survey of GBMSM during November-December 2022, we examined self-reported mpox diagnoses, behavioral risk modification, and mpox vaccination offer and uptake. Among 1,333 participants, only 35 (2.6%) ever tested mpox-positive, but 707 (53%) reported behavior modification to avoid mpox. Among vaccine-eligible GBMSM, uptake was 69% (95% CI 65%-72%; 601/875) and was 92% (95% CI 89%-94%; 601/655) among those offered vaccine. GBMSM self-identifying as bisexual, reporting lower educational qualifications, or identifying as unemployed were less likely to be vaccinated. Equitable offer and provision of mpox vaccine are needed to minimize the risk for future outbreaks and mpox-related health inequalities.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global concern. Phylogenetic analyses resolve uncertainties regarding genetic relatedness of isolates with identical phenotypes and inform ...whether AMR is due to new mutations and clonal expansion or separate introductions by importation. We sequenced 1,277 isolates with associated epidemiologic and antimicrobial susceptibility data collected during 2013-2016 to investigate N. gonorrhoeae genomic variability in England. Comparing genetic markers and phenotypes for AMR, we identified 2 N. gonorrhoeae lineages with different antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and 3 clusters with elevated MICs for ceftriaxone, varying mutations in the penA allele, and different epidemiologic characteristics. Our results indicate N. gonorrhoeae with reduced antimicrobial susceptibility emerged independently and multiple times in different sexual networks in England, through new mutation or recombination events and by importation. Monitoring and control for AMR in N. gonorrhoeae should cover the entire population affected, rather than focusing on specific risk groups or locations.
Genetic variation among Aedes aegypti populations can greatly influence their vector competence for human pathogens such as the dengue virus (DENV). While intra-species transcriptome differences ...remain relatively unstudied when compared to coding sequence polymorphisms, they also affect numerous aspects of mosquito biology. Comparative molecular profiling of mosquito strain transcriptomes can therefore provide valuable insight into the regulation of vector competence. We established a panel of A. aegypti strains with varying levels of susceptibility to DENV, comprising both laboratory-maintained strains and field-derived colonies collected from geographically distinct dengue-endemic regions spanning South America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. A comparative genome-wide gene expression microarray-based analysis revealed higher basal levels of numerous immunity-related gene transcripts in DENV-refractory mosquito strains than in susceptible strains, and RNA interference assays further showed different degrees of immune pathway contribution to refractoriness in different strains. By correlating transcript abundance patterns with DENV susceptibility across our panel, we also identified new candidate modulators of DENV infection in the mosquito, and we provide functional evidence for two potential DENV host factors and one potential restriction factor. Our comparative transcriptome dataset thus not only provides valuable information about immune gene regulation and usage in natural refractoriness of mosquito populations to dengue virus but also allows us to identify new molecular interactions between the virus and its mosquito vector.
We rapidly assessed the health of Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors in Kenema, Sierra Leone, by reviewing medical charts of all patients attending the Survivor Clinic of Kenema Government Hospital. ...Data were abstracted on signs and symptoms at every attendance. As of November 2015, a total of 621 attendances by 115 survivors with laboratory-confirmed EVD were made to the Survivor Clinic. Most (60.9%) survivors were women. Survivors' median age was 28 years (range 0.25-70 years). Survivors attended the clinic a median of 5 times (range 1-21 times) each, and the median time from EVD discharge to attendance was 261 days (range 4-504 days). The most commonly reported signs and symptoms among the 621 attendances were headache (63.1%), fever (61.7%), and myalgia (43.3%). Because health needs of EVD survivors are complex, rapid chart reviews at survivor clinics should be repeated regularly to assess the extent of illness and prioritize service delivery.
Of the 58,186 coronavirus deaths among adults in England during March-December 2020, 77% occurred in hospitals, 93% were in patients >60 years, and 91% occurred within 28 days of positive specimen. ...Cumulative mortality rates were highest among persons of Black, Asian, other, or mixed ethnicities and in socioeconomically deprived areas.
In England, people of Black Caribbean (BC) ethnicity are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but it is unclear whether this varies by their region of birth.
To ...examine differences in STI diagnoses among UK- and Caribbean-born BC people.
Data on STI diagnoses in BC people attending specialist sexual health services (SHSs) during 2015 and living in England were obtained from the GUMCAD STI surveillance system, the national surveillance system for STIs in England. Associations between being UK- or Caribbean-born and each of several STI diagnoses were examined, using univariate and multivariable generalised estimated equations logistic regression models adjusted for sexual orientation, place of residence (London vs. non-London), HIV status, area-level deprivation, and STI diagnosis in the last year. All analyses were stratified by age (<25 vs. ≥25 years).
In 2015, 63,568 BC people made 108,881 attendances at specialist SHSs; 81.9% of these attendances were made by UK-born BCs. The median age (years) was 26 for UK-born and 35 for Caribbean-born people (p≤0.001). Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and non-specific genital infection (NSGI) were the most commonly diagnosed STIs among UK- (5.8%, 2.1% and 2.8%) and Caribbean-born people (4.5%, 1.7% and 3.5%) respectively. Among BCs aged under 25, no significant differences in STIs were found between UK- and Caribbean-born people. Among BCs aged ≥25, compared to Caribbean-born people, those who were UK-born were more likely to be diagnosed with chlamydia (AOR 1.15 95%C.I. 1.04-1.27); gonorrhoea (AOR 1.23 95%C.I. 1.06-1.45) and genital herpes (AOR 1.23 95% C.I. 1.10-1.56) and less likely to be diagnosed with NSGI (AOR 0.89 95% C.I. 0.80-0.99) and Trichomoniasis (AOR 0.84 95% C.I. 0.71-0.99).
STI diagnoses in BC people aged ≥25 attending specialist SHSs vary by region of birth. Country of birth may have an influence on social and sexual networks and therefore transmission of STIs.
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