We report the near coding-complete genomes of 12 DENV serotype 2 strains collected during the 2023 dengue outbreak in Bangladesh. Analyses showed that all 12 strains were closely related and belonged to genotype II-Cosmopolitan.

UNASSIGNED: Among Streptococcus suis serotypes, S. suis serotype 2 is the most significant serotype that causes serious diseases in pigs and humans worldwide. The present study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 isolated from pigs, determine its trend, and explore the factors associated with this serotype.
UNASSIGNED: We retrieved relevant published studies from PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science. The retrieved citations were screened for possible inclusion. Relevant data were then extracted from the included studies. The random-effects model was used for all meta-analyses. A subgroup meta-analysis was used to assess the heterogeneity of the prevalence for four characteristics (continents, sampling organs, reporting unit, and pig\'s health status). A cumulative meta-analysis was performed to determine the cumulative prevalence over time. Meta-regression analysis was used to determine the trend of pooled prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 over time.
UNASSIGNED: Of 600 articles retrieved, 36 studies comprising a total sample size of 6939 isolates or samples from 16 countries of four continents were included for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 isolated from pigs was 13.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.7%-17.1%), with high heterogeneity among the included studies (Cochran\'s Q, 431.6; p < 0.001; I2 = 91.9%; Table-1). No statistical significance was observed among subgroups of the four characteristics examined. However, the pooled prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 was as high as 16.0% (95% CI, 12.5%-20.3%; n = 16) in diseased pigs compared with 9.9% (95% CI, 5.6%-17.0%; n = 15) in healthy pigs. The pooled prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 isolated from pigs did not significantly decrease over time [regression coefficient = -0.020 (95% CI, 0.046-0.006, p = 0.139)]. The pooled prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 isolated from pigs fluctuated slightly between 13.2% and 17.8% from 2007 to 2023, although the pooled prevalence gradually decreased from 30.6% in 1987 to over 20% in 2003.
UNASSIGNED: The global prevalence of S. suis serotype 2 isolated from pigs was estimated to be 13.6% (approximately 10% in healthy pigs and around 16% in diseased pigs). S. suis serotype 2 isolated from pigs did not change significantly over time. These results indicate that S. suis serotype 2 remains a problem for the pig industry and poses a threat to human health.

Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most significant vector-borne pathogens worldwide. In this report, we describe clinical features and laboratory detection of dengue in a 45-year-old traveler to Nicaragua on return home to the United States in 2019. Clinical presentation was mild, with rash, headache, and fatigue, with only low-grade transient fever. Infection dynamics were documented by serology and PCR of serially collected body fluids. DENV serotype 2 was detected in whole blood 1 day after symptoms emerged, with viral RNA isolated to the red cell fraction, and remained detectable through day 89. DENV-2 RNA was detected in serum only on day 4, and IgM was undetectable on day 4 but evident by day 13. Viral RNA was also detected in urine. This report of DENV-2 RNA persistence in blood cells but only transient appearance in serum, supports the potential diagnostic value of whole blood over serum for PCR and opportunity of an expanded testing window. Informed testing approaches can improve diagnostic accuracy and inform strategies that preserve individual and public health.

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important swine bacterial pathogen causing sudden death, septic shock, and meningitis. However, serotype 2 strains are phenotypically and genotypically heterogeneous and composed of a multitude of sequence types (STs) whose distributions greatly vary worldwide. It has been previously shown that the lipoprotein (LPP) maturation enzymes diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt) and signal peptidase (Lsp) significantly modulate the inflammatory host response and play a differential role in virulence depending on the genetic background of the strain. Differently from Eurasian ST1/ST7 strains, the capsular polysaccharide of a North American S. suis serotype 2 ST25 representative strain only partially masks sub-capsular domains and bacterial wall components. Thus, our hypothesis is that since LPPs would be more surface exposed in ST25 strains than in their ST1 or ST7 counterparts, the maturation enzymes would play a more important role in the pathogenesis of the infection caused by the North American strain. Using isogenic Δlgt and Δlsp mutants derived from the wild-type ST25 strain, our studies suggest that these enzymes do not seem to play a role in the interaction between S. suis and epithelial and endothelial cells, regardless of the genetics background of the strain used. However, a role in the formation of biofilms (also independently of the STs) has been demonstrated. Moreover, the involvement of LPP dendritic cell activation in vitro seems to be somehow more pronounced with the ST25 strain. Finally, the Lgt enzyme seems to play a more important role in the virulence of the ST25 strain. Although some differences between STs could be observed, our original hypothesis that LPPs would be significantly more important in ST25 strains due to a better bacterial surface exposition could not be confirmed.

Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic bacterium causing septicemia and meningitis in humans. Due to rapid disease progression, high mortality rate, and many underdiagnosed cases by time-consuming routine identification methods, alternative diagnostic testing is essential. Among 29 broadly accepted S. suis serotypes, serotypes 2 and 14 are high prevalent; however, many PCR assays showed an inability to differentiate serotype 2 from 1/2, and 1 from 14. In this study, we developed and validated a new multiplex PCR assay that facilitates the identification of only the 29 true serotypes of S. suis and simultaneously differentiates serotypes 1, 1/2, 2, and 14 within a single reaction. Importantly, the multiplex PCR could detect S. suis directly from positive hemocultures and CSF. The results revealed high sensitivity, specificity, and 100% accuracy with almost perfect agreement (κ = 1.0) compared to culture and serotyping methods. Direct detection enables a decrease in overall diagnosis time, rapid and efficient treatment, reduced fatality rates, and proficient disease control. This multiplex PCR offers a rapid, easy, and cost-effective method that can be applied in a routine laboratory. Furthermore, it is promising for developing point-of-care testing (POCT) for S. suis detection in the future.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is a mosquito born disease associated with self-limited to life threatening illness. First detected in Senegal in the nineteenth century, and despite its growing incidence this last decade, significant knowledge gaps exist in our knowledge of genetic diversity of circulating strains. This study highlights the circulating serotypes and genotypes between January 2017 and December 2018 and their spatial and temporal distribution throughout all regions of Senegal.
METHODS: We used 56 dengue virus (DENV) strains for the analysis collected from 11 sampling areas: 39 from all regions of Senegal, and 17 isolates from Thiès, a particular area of the country. Two real time RT-qPCR systems were used to confirm dengue infection and corresponding serotypes. For molecular characterization, CprM gene was sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis for serotypes and genotypes assignment.
RESULTS: Three dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1-3) were detected by all used methods. DENV-3 was detected in 50% (28/56) of the isolates, followed by DENV-1 and DENV-2, each representing 25% (14/56) of the isolates. DENV-3 belongs to genotype III, DENV-1 to genotype V and DENV-2 to Cosmopolitan genotype. Serotype 3 was detected in 7 sampling locations and a co-circulation of different serotypes was observed in Thiès, Fatick and Richard-toll.
CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the need of continuous DENV surveillance in Senegal to detect DENV cases, to define circulating serotypes/genotypes and to prevent the spread and the occurrence of severe cases.

Intrahost genetic diversity is thought to facilitate arbovirus adaptation to changing environments and hosts, and it might also be linked to viral pathogenesis. Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) has circulated in Brazil since 1990 and is associated with severe disease and explosive outbreaks. Intending to shed light on the viral determinants for severe dengue pathogenesis, we sought to analyze the DENV-2 intrahost genetic diversity in 68 patient cases clinically classified as dengue fever (n = 31), dengue with warning signs (n = 19), and severe dengue (n = 18). Unlike previous DENV intrahost diversity studies whose approaches employed PCR, here we performed viral whole-genome deep sequencing from clinical samples with an amplicon-free approach, representing the real intrahost diversity scenario. Striking differences were detected in the viral population structure between the three clinical categories, which appear to be driven mainly by different infection times and selection pressures, rather than being linked with the clinical outcome itself. Diversity in the NS2B gene, however, showed to be constrained, irrespective of clinical outcome and infection time. Finally, 385 non-synonymous intrahost single-nucleotide variants located along the viral polyprotein, plus variants located in the untranslated regions, were consistently identified among the samples. Of them, 124 were exclusively or highly detected among cases with warning signs and among severe cases. However, there was no variant that by itself appeared to characterize the cases of greater severity, either due to its low intrahost frequency or the conservative effect on amino acid substitution. Although further studies are necessary to determine their real effect on viral proteins, this heightens the possibility of epistatic interactions. The present analysis represents an initial effort to correlate DENV-2 genetic diversity to its pathogenic potential and thus contribute to understanding the virus\'s dynamics within its human host.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen that causes serious systemic infections in pigs and occupation-related infections in humans who contact with pigs or pork products. In China, it has caused two outbreaks of human infection and surveillance for S.suis has been ongoing since last time.
METHODS: Two cases of meningitis and sepsis caused by S. suis were reported in this study. Both patients work in relation to the pork trade, a risk factor for S. suis infection. The outcome was favorable after a prolonged ceftriaxone therapy but one patient was left with mild hearing loss. Two isolates were identified as sequencing type (ST) 7, S. suis serotype 2 (SS2), which is one the most prevalent and cause two outbreaks in China. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that a high degree identity was noted in the genome organizations and sequences between two sporadic ST7 SS2 isolates in this study and representative epidemic virulent isolates. Major differences among them are two sporadic ST7 SS2 isolates lacked a virulence factor called agglutinin receptor and an 89 K pathogenicity island (PAI), which plays important role in the pathogenesis of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). A summary about STs of human infection with S. suis in China was completed. The result showed ST1 and ST7 were still the major STs and several novel STs were successfully discovered in different provinces.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results enhanced the understanding of the ability to cause life-threatening infections in humans and the distribution and evolution of the S. suis in China.

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an encapsulated bacterium and an important swine pathogen. Opsonizing antibody responses targeting capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) are protective against extracellular pathogens. To elucidate the protective activity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against S. suis serotype 2 CPS, mice were immunized with a serotype 2 CPS-glycoconjugate and three hybridomas were isolated; of which, two were murine IgMs and the other a murine IgG1. Whereas the IgMs (mAbs 9E7 and 13C8) showed different reactivity levels with S. suis serotypes 1, 1/2, 2 and 14, the IgG1 (mAb 16H11) was shown to be serotype 2-specific. All mAbs targeted the sialylated chain of the CPSs. Using an opsonophagocytosis assay, the IgMs were opsonizing towards the S. suis serotypes to which they cross-react, while the IgG1 failed to induce bacterial elimination. In a model of mouse passive immunization followed by a lethal challenge with S. suis serotype 2, the IgG1 and IgM cross-reacting only with serotype 14 (mAb 13C8) failed to protect, while the IgM cross-reacting with serotypes 1, 1/2, and 14 (mAb 9E7) was shown to be protective by limiting bacteremia. These new mAbs show promise as new S. suis diagnostic tools, as well as potential for therapeutic applications.

Community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) is considered a bacterial disease, mainly pneumococcal. CAAP rates markedly declined following 7- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) introductions worldwide. In contrast, non-CAAP lower respiratory tract infections (NA-LRIs) are generally not considered pneumococcal diseases. We assessed CAAP, NA-LRIs, and overall visits with chest radiograph (CXR) examination rates in the pediatric emergency room in southern Israel before and after PCV implementation.
This was an ongoing, prospective observational study. Our hospital serves a captive population of approximately 75 000 children aged <5 years, enabling incidence calculation. PCV7 and PCV13 were implemented in Israel in July 2009 and November 2010, respectively. All CXRs were analyzed according to the World Health Organization Standardization of Interpretation. We calculated CAAP, NA-LRI, and CXR examinations annual incidences from 2004 to 2017 and incidence rate ratios comparing the PCV13 (2014-2017) with the pre-PCV (2004-2008) periods.
Overall, 72 746 CXR examinations were recorded: 14% CAAP and 86% NA-LRI. CAAP, NA-LRI, and CXR examination visit rates declined by 49%, 34%, and 37%, respectively. This pattern was seen in Jewish and Bedouin children (the 2 ethnically distinct populations), with steeper declines observed among Jewish children and children aged >12 months.
PCV7/PCV13 implementation resulted in a marked decline in CAAP and overall visits with CXR examination rates in young children. Overall, approximately 14 750 hospital visits with CXR were prevented annually per 100 000 population aged <5 years. These findings suggest that although NA-LRIs are usually not considered pneumococcal, many can be prevented by PCVs.Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7/PCV13) implementation resulted in significant declines in community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) and overall chest radiography examination rates in young children. Although non-CAAP lower respiratory tract infections are usually not considered pneumococcal, many can be prevented by PCVs.