Key result
Mathematical modeling of EV-D68 seroprevalence in England estimated an approximately two-fold increase in the basic reproduction number and annual probability of infection between 2006 and 2017.
Why the study?
Factors leading to the global emergence of EV-D68 in 2014 as a cause of acute flaccid myelitis in children are unknown.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,586)
The emergence of EV-D68 as a cause of acute flaccid myelitis is likely due to the acquisition of or an increase in neuropathogenicity, rather than just increased transmission.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Suggests rising EV-D68 transmissibility; leaves open its role in AFM emergence.
The factors leading to the global emergence of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in 2014 as a cause of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in children are unknown. To investigate potential changes in virus transmissibility or population susceptibility, we measured the seroprevalence of EV-D68-specific neutralising antibodies in serum samples collected in England in 2006, 2011 and 2017. Using catalytic mathematical models, we estimate an approximately two-fold increase in the basic reproduction number over the 10-year study period, coinciding with the emergence of clade B around 2009. Despite such increase in transmission, the virus was already widely circulating before the AFM outbreaks and the increase of infections by age cannot explain the observed number of AFM cases. Therefore, the acquisition of or an increase in neuropathogenicity would be additionally required to explain the emergence of outbreaks of AFM. Our results provide evidence that changes in enterovirus phenotypes cause major changes in disease epidemiology.
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Pons-Salort et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infection (n=1,586). Time period (2006 to 2017) vs. Earlier time period (pre-2007) was evaluated on Annual probability of infection (using 1:16 seropositivity cut-off) (approximately 2-fold increase). Mathematical modeling of EV-D68 seroprevalence in England estimated an approximately two-fold increase in the basic reproduction number and annual probability of infection between 2006 and 2017.
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