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This article summarizes a genomic investigation of a 4-fold increase in disseminated gonococcal infections in Minnesota, USA, in 2024. We detected the emergence of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain of a rarely observed sequence type, which carries a porB1a allele previously associated with disseminated disease and lacks a gonococcal genetic island.

Existing literature suggests that influenza C typically causes mild respiratory tract disease. However, clinical and epidemiological data are limited. Four outpatient clinics and 3 hospitals submitted clinical data and respiratory specimens through a surveillance network for acute respiratory infection (ARI) from May 2013 through December 2016. Specimens were tested using multitarget nucleic acid amplification for 19-22 respiratory pathogens, including influenza C. Influenza C virus was detected among 59 of 10 202 (0.58%) hospitalized severe ARI cases and 11 of 2282 (0.48%) outpatients. Most detections occurred from December to March, 73% during the 2014-2015 season. Influenza C detections occurred among patients of all ages, with rates being similar between inpatients and outpatients. The highest rate of detection occurred among children aged 6-24 months (1.2%). Among hospitalized cases, 7 required intensive care. Medical comorbidities were reported in 58% of hospitalized cases and all who required intensive care. At least 1 other respiratory pathogen was detected in 40 (66%) cases, most commonly rhinovirus/enterovirus (25%) and respiratory syncytial virus (20%). The hemagglutinin-esterase-fusion gene was sequenced in 37 specimens, and both C/Kanagawa and C/Sao Paulo lineages were detected in inpatients and outpatients. We found seasonal circulation of influenza C with year-to-year variability. Detection was most frequent among young children but occurred in all ages. Some cases that were positive for influenza C, particularly those with comorbid conditions, had severe disease, suggesting a need for further study of the role of influenza C virus in the pathogenesis of respiratory disease.

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes seasonal outbreaks peaking from October to April in the United States. While symptoms are typically mild and limited to the upper respiratory tract in older children and adults, RSV can cause severe lower respiratory disease, hospitalization and death, particularly among younger children, the immunocompromised and the elderly. During summer 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received a report of a cluster of severe respiratory illness in children with RSV-B infection admitted at an urban county hospital. Methods MDH conducts surveillance for RSV in Minneapolis-St. Paul with collection of respiratory specimens and clinical and demographic data. We compared characteristics of cases reported in summer 2017 with the previous 4 summer seasons. To understand the genetic relatedness among viruses, we performed complete genome sequencing from primary specimens using an Illumina MiSeq platform employing both a sequence-independent sequencing method and an RSV-specific, overlapping PCR-based approach. Results From May to September 2017, 58 cases of RSV (48 RSV-B) were reported to MDH compared with 18 (7 RSV-B) during the same period in 2016, 27 in 2015, and 29 in 2014. The median age and frequency of co-morbidities were similar across years; however, 50% required ICU admission in 2017 compared with 12% in preceding 3 years. The RSV-B genome was sequenced from 10 specimens from March to May 2016, 20 specimens from May to September 2017 and 30 specimens from October 2017-January 2018. Phylogenic analysis revealed that 15 cases from May to September. 2017 formed a unique clade distinct from the lineage encompassing 2016 cases from Minnesota and 35 representative complete RSV genomes in GenBank isolated from 6 continents over 13 years. From October 2017 to January 2018, we detected co-circulation of viruses from both lineages among older adults and children. Conclusion We identified an outbreak of RSV-B associated with severe disease among urban Minnesota children during a time of expected low RSV circulation. Complete genome sequencing data suggested emergence of a new lineage distinct from viruses circulating in Minnesota during the previous season. Genomic characterization can provide useful insights into epidemiologic variations. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Abstract Background Hospital testing for respiratory pathogens is nonsystematic, leading to potential missed detection of clinically relevant pathogens. The Minnesota Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance program monitors hospitalizations due to acute respiratory illness and conducts systematic testing for several respiratory pathogens. We assessed viruses detected by the hospital and additional detections identified by expanded testing. Methods Residual upper respiratory specimens collected from patients hospitalized for suspected respiratory illness for routine diagnostic testing at three hospitals, including one children’s hospital, were submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Specimens were tested for 18 respiratory viruses by RT-PCR. Clinical and hospital test data were collected through medical record review. Results From September 2015 to August 2016, 2,351 hospitalized SARI patients were reported, with the following age distribution: 57% <5 years, 13% 5–17 years, 30% ≥18 years. Among all SARI patients, 97% (2,273) had hospital-based, clinician-directed testing for viral pathogens. Viruses were detected among 47% (1,077) of tested patients, among which testing methods included PCR (85%), rapid antigen (13%), and culture (2%); 74% were tested on the day of admission. Most common viruses detected by clinical testing included respiratory syncytial virus (41%), rhinovirus/enterovirus (31%), and influenza (15%) (Figure 1). Systematic RT–PCR testing at MDH identified 1,600 (68%) patients positive for ≥1 respiratory virus, identifying previously unknown detections among 35% (820) of SARI patients (Figure 2). Of 1,272 patients with no virus identified at the hospital, 46% (586) had a viral detection at MDH. Patients aged <18 years were significantly more likely to have an additional pathogen detected by MDH testing than those aged ≥18 years (P < 0.01), including rhinovirus/enterovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, and coronaviruses. Conclusion Systematic, expanded testing at MDH identified a higher proportion of respiratory pathogens among SARI patients compared with clinical laboratory testing. Additional testing for clinically relevant respiratory pathogens may inform medical decision-making. Figure 1. Figure 2. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Abstract Background Due to marked variability in circulating influenza viruses each year, annual evaluation of the vaccine’s effectiveness against severe outcomes is essential. We used the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance to evaluate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against influenza-associated hospitalization over three influenza seasons. Methods Residual respiratory specimens from patients admitted with SARI were sent to the MDH laboratory for influenza RT-PCR testing. Medical records were reviewed to collect patient data. Vaccination history was verified using the state immunization registry. We included patients aged ≥6 months to < 13 years, after which immunization reporting is not required, hospitalized from the earliest influenza detection after July through April each year. We defined vaccinated patients as those ≥1 dose of influenza vaccine in the current season. Children aged < 9 years with no history of vaccination were considered vaccinated if 2 were doses given a month apart. Partially vaccinated children were excluded. We estimated VE as 1 minus the adjusted odds ratio (x100%) of influenza vaccination among influenza cases vs. negative controls, controlling for age, race, days from onset to admission, comorbidities, and admission month. Results Among 2198 SARI patients, 763 (35%) were vaccinated for influenza, 180 (8.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 1255 (57%) were unvaccinated. Influenza was detected among 202 (9.2%) children, and significantly more frequently among children aged ≥5 years (17%) compared with younger children (7.4%). The adjusted VE in 2013–14 was 68% (95% Confidence Interval: 34, 85), but was non-significant during the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons (Figure). Estimates of VE by influenza A subtypes varied substantially by year; VE against influenza B viruses was significant, but could not be stratified by year. VE was impacted when live attenuated influenza vaccine recipients were excluded. Conclusion We report moderately high influenza VE in 2013–14 and a point estimate higher than other published estimates from outpatient data in 2014–15. These results, underscore the importance of influenza vaccination to prevent severe outcomes such as hospitalization. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.