Robert Steffen
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View article: Evolution and Impact of Hepatitis A Epidemiology in Europe—Systematic Literature Review of the Last 20 Years
Evolution and Impact of Hepatitis A Epidemiology in Europe—Systematic Literature Review of the Last 20 Years Open
While globally hepatitis A (hepA) infections occur in 150 million people annually, European high‐income countries now have a low endemicity. However, this results in a more susceptible adult population which is prone to severe illness. To …
View article: A combined cross-sectional analysis and case-control study evaluating tick-borne encephalitis vaccination coverage, disease and vaccine effectiveness in children and adolescents, Switzerland, 2005 to 2022
A combined cross-sectional analysis and case-control study evaluating tick-borne encephalitis vaccination coverage, disease and vaccine effectiveness in children and adolescents, Switzerland, 2005 to 2022 Open
Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe, vaccine-preventable viral infection of the central nervous system. Symptoms are generally milder in children and adolescents than in adults, though severe disease does occur. A better u…
View article: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of European Healthcare Professionals towards Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccination in at-Risk Adults
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of European Healthcare Professionals towards Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccination in at-Risk Adults Open
Despite the occurrence of several hepatitis A (hepA) and hepatitis B (hepB) outbreaks in Europe in the last few decades, not all European countries have implemented hepA and hepB vaccinations in their national immunization programs, especi…
View article: Influenza: seasonality and travel-related considerations
Influenza: seasonality and travel-related considerations Open
Rationale for review This review aims to summarize the transmission patterns of influenza, its seasonality in different parts of the globe, air travel- and cruise ship-related influenza infections and interventions to reduce transmission. …
View article: Travel vaccines—priorities determined by incidence and impact
Travel vaccines—priorities determined by incidence and impact Open
Background Infectious disease epidemiology is continuously shifting. While travel has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel-related epidemiological research experienced a pause, further shifts in vaccine-preventable diseases (…
View article: B-21 | Coronary Angiography Within 30 days from Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Indications, Findings and Outcomes
B-21 | Coronary Angiography Within 30 days from Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Indications, Findings and Outcomes Open
The incidence, indications, and outcomes of coronary angiography performed within 30 days following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) have received limited study. We reviewed patients who underwent coronary angiography within 30 …
View article: Norovirus acute gastroenteritis amongst US and European travellers to areas of moderate to high risk of travellers’ diarrhoea: a prospective cohort study
Norovirus acute gastroenteritis amongst US and European travellers to areas of moderate to high risk of travellers’ diarrhoea: a prospective cohort study Open
Background Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major medical condition for travellers worldwide, particularly travellers to low- and middle-income countries. Norovirus (NoV) is the most common cause of viral AGE in older children and adults, …
View article: Development of a new travellers’ diarrhoea clinical severity classification and its utility in confirming rifamycin-SV efficacy
Development of a new travellers’ diarrhoea clinical severity classification and its utility in confirming rifamycin-SV efficacy Open
Background travellers’ diarrhoea (TD) is frequently reported with incidence up to 40% in high-risk destinations. Previous studies showed that the number of loose stools alone is inadequate to holistically predict the severity of TD. To imp…
View article: Hepatitis A occurrence and outbreaks in Europe over the past two decades: A systematic review
Hepatitis A occurrence and outbreaks in Europe over the past two decades: A systematic review Open
Hepatitis A (HA) is a vaccine‐preventable liver disease with >170 million new cases occurring yearly. In recent outbreaks in the USA, hospitalization and case‐fatality ratios were >60% and ~1%, respectively. In Europe, endemicity persists …
View article: Chikungunya: risks for travellers
Chikungunya: risks for travellers Open
Rationale for review Chikungunya outbreaks continue to occur, with changing epidemiology. Awareness about chikungunya is low both among the at-risk travellers and healthcare professionals, which can result in underdiagnosis and underreport…
View article: Vaccine co-administration in adults: An effective way to improve vaccination coverage
Vaccine co-administration in adults: An effective way to improve vaccination coverage Open
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights that complications and mortality associated with infectious diseases increase with age. Various vaccines are recommended for adults, but coverage rates remain suboptimal. Although co-administration …
View article: 1239. Hepatitis A Epidemiology in Europe: A Systematic Literature Review of the Last 20 Years
1239. Hepatitis A Epidemiology in Europe: A Systematic Literature Review of the Last 20 Years Open
Background Hepatitis A (HepA) global burden is estimated to be > 100 million new cases/year. HepA is vaccine-preventable, but outbreaks still occur in regions with low endemicity such as Europe. Guidelines for HepA vaccination in adult …
View article: Bacterial travellers’ diarrhoea: A narrative review of literature published over the past 10 years
Bacterial travellers’ diarrhoea: A narrative review of literature published over the past 10 years Open
Travellers' diarrhoea (TD) is the most frequent illness experienced by international travellers to lower-income countries with bacterial agents considered to account for 80-90% of cases. In this review, we summarise evidence published on b…
View article: Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine—a wave of news
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine—a wave of news Open
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine efficacy approximates 90% after the initial two doses, but the duration of protection is unknown. Emerging evidence indicates that vaccine effectiveness does not depend on the seropersistence of antibodies b…
View article: The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox—A potential threat? A systematic review
The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox—A potential threat? A systematic review Open
Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, results in a smallpox-like disease in humans. Since monkeypox in humans was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it has spread to other regions…
View article: The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox – a potential threat? A systematic review
The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox – a potential threat? A systematic review Open
Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, results in a smallpox-like disease in humans. Since monkeypox in humans was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it has spread to other regions…
View article: COVID-19 health passes: current status and prospects for a global approach
COVID-19 health passes: current status and prospects for a global approach Open
COVID-19 vaccination is contributing to restarting travel but documentation of vaccination, test status, and immunity are inconsistent. Vaccine availability and access remain limited in many countries. We recommend a globally-accepted docu…
View article: Mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring: tips, tricks, and outcomes
Mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring: tips, tricks, and outcomes Open
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now a mainstay of treatment in patients with aortic stenosis who are considered intermediate, high and prohibitive risk for surgery. Extended use of this innovative platform in treating other cond…
View article: Reintervention with Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Reintervention with Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Open
Background: Despite expanding indications, data regarding the long-term durability of transcatheter heart valves (THV) are limited. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published studies with ≥5years of follow…
View article: SARS-CoV-2 testing to assure safety in air travel
SARS-CoV-2 testing to assure safety in air travel Open
To support the resumption of travel, rational and consistent testing and quarantine guidelines will be critical. Uniformity in the documentation of COVID-19 test results and vaccination will also be important. We discuss evidence to suppor…
View article: Tick-borne encephalitis — Need to eliminate misconceptions
Tick-borne encephalitis — Need to eliminate misconceptions Open
Background: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is associated with sequelae the proportion increasing with growing age. Thus it is considered to be a health risk mainly for adults residing in endemic areas. Methods and materials: First, a system…
View article: Travel restrictions and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic—impact on notified infectious diseases in Switzerland
Travel restrictions and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic—impact on notified infectious diseases in Switzerland Open
Based on notification data the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in Switzerland was assessed. While the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis almost doubled as compared to 2016-2019, a reduction in all other infectious diseases was recorded. …
View article: Tick-borne Encephalitis—Need to know for Professionals outside Endemic Areas
Tick-borne Encephalitis—Need to know for Professionals outside Endemic Areas Open
Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) is an arboviral infection widespread in Europe and northern parts of Asia. Ticks transmit the associated flavivirus usually between March and November to people with outdoor activities in the countryside, in g…