Journal of Clinical Virology - Volume 82 - Supplement 1 - September 2016

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Abstracts / Journal of Clinical Virology 82S (2016) S1–S142 S109
propose that a VZV IgG level of 100mIU/ml as a cut-off for immunity
is too high. Finally, of our antibody negative patients, all of those
exposed to the rash were infected, whilst none of those exposed
before the rash were. This provides evidence against the currently
held dogma that chickenpox is infectious pre-rash and certainly
demonstrates the need for further study on this topic.
Abstract no: 219
Presentation at ESCV 2016: Poster 178
Low risk of wild poliovirus importation to
Germany via asylum seekers from polio-risk
countries: Results of stool screening and
serology, 2013–2015
K. Neubauer ∗ . Böttcher Beyrer
A. Baillot , S. Diedrich
1 Secretary of the National Commission for Polio
Eradication in Germany, Robert Koch Institute,
Berlin, Germany
2 National Reference Centre for Poliomyelitis and
Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
3 Governmental Institute of Public Health of Lower
Saxony (NLGA), Hannover, Germany
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious, vaccine-preventable disease
caused by poliovirus (PV) 1, 2, or 3 for which there is no cure.
While only one in about 200 infections results in typical acute flac-
cid paralysis, most infected people (>95%) have no or unspecific
symptoms. These persons may still shed virus, thus posing a risk to
unprotected contacts. Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative
was launched in 1988, polio cases have decreased by over 99% to 74
reported cases in 2015 – an historical low. To date, polio remains
endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. However,
polio can easily spread from these to other countries which are still
vulnerable to PV outbreaks due to vaccination gaps, weak health
systems, poor sanitation, insecurity, and refugee flows. Therefore,
theWorld Health Organization declared the international spread of
wild poliovirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
(PHEIC) in May 2014. In Germany, the number of asylum seek-
ers has increased since 2013, with the largest group coming from
Syria experiencing a wild PV outbreak at this time. In order to esti-
mate the risk of wild PV importation, a stool screening for PV was
initiated in asylum seekers from Syria. Furthermore, a seropreva-
lence study was performed testing sera of persons from polio-risk
countries.
(1) FromNovember 2013 to April 2014, 118 refugee centres and
public health offices fromall 16German federal stateswere sending
stool samples for PV diagnostics to the National Reference Centre
for Poliomyelitis and Enteroviruses at RKI (NRZ PE) and three labs
of the German enterovirus laboratory network (LaNED). Samples
from 629 asymptomatic Syrians (71% aged <3 years) were tested
using molecular and virological methods. Of these, 92 (14.6%) were
enterovirus-positive. Vaccine-like PV strains were detected in 12
persons indicating a recent polio immunization (OPV). Wild PV
were not identified.
(2) From May to July 2015, 587 sera from asylum seekers from
Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, and Syria were examined for
PV neutralizing antibodies at the NRZ PE. The median of age in the
study group was 25 years (12–68 years). For all three PV types, the
following seroprevalence rates were found: PV1: 96.8%, PV2: 99.5%,
PV3: 91.5%. Independent from age and country of origin, protecting
antibodies were detected in at least 93% for PV1 and PV2 and 89%
for PV3 of asylum seekers examined.
Results of the stool screening indicated a low risk for wild PV
importation by asylum seekers. Due to OPV vaccination campaigns
implemented in Syria and neighbouring countries, the presence
of vaccine-like PV in asylum seekers was expected. Results of PV
antibody testing in asylum seekers from five polio-risk countries
demonstrated a high seroprevalence against all three PV types,
similar to the population living in Germany. Therefore, a general
screening for PV shedding or PV antibodies is not recommended. In
case of unknown vaccination status, asylum seekers should be vac-
cinated according to the existing recommendations of the German
Standing Committee on Vaccination, giving priority to children.
Abstract no: 274
Presentation at ESCV 2016: Poster 179
National serological survey – Portugal
2015–2016: Study design
P. Palminha ∗, E. Padua , H. Cortes-Martins ,
M.J. Borrego , R. Matos , S. Moura , B. Nunes ,
R. Roquette , C. Cardoso , L. Brum
1 National Institute of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jorge,
Portugal
2 Clinical Laboratory, Dr. Joaquim Chaves, Portugal
3 Labco, Laboratory Network, Portugal
Background: The Portuguese National Vaccination Program
was implemented in 1965. During the last decade, the vaccine cov-
erage in Portugal was higher. However, there are local asymmetries
that may result in pockets of susceptible persons.
Other communicable diseases related to sexually transmitted
agents are considered a major problem in Public Health (PH), also
in Portugal, namely HCV, HIV, Syphilis and Chlamydia infections.
In Portugal, national serological surveys have been conducted on
irregular basis and the lack of essential epidemiological information
to support PH decisions has been considered a major concern. A
national serological survey is an effective way to fulfil these needs.
Aim: To describe the study design of the National Serological
Survey 2015–2016, an ongoing study to assess the prevalence of
antibodies regarding Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) and other
infectious diseases, with major impact in Public Health.
Material and methods:
Type of study: A national cross-sectional study has been planned
with one time specific specimen collection per case. Participation
in the study is voluntary and comprises a signed informed consent
statement, answering a questionnaire and collection of biological
specimens.
Infectious agents studied: Samples collectedwill be tested to the
following agents: Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type
b, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium tetani, HBV, Measles
virus, Mumps virus, Rubella virus and Poliovirus. Additionally are
tested for HCV, HIV,Treponema pallidumand Chlamydia trachomatis.
Estimated sample size: Prevalence data from the previous NSS
was used for VPD sample size estimation. Sample has been stratified
by 8 age groups (starting age = 2 y/o), equally distributed by gender
and assuming at least a precision of 5% and a design effect of 1.5.
To ensure regional representativeness of the population, estimated
sample size was set up to 4543 individuals.
Sample size for HCV, HIV and Syphilis antibodies prevalence
was set up to 2884 individuals (stratified in 5 age groups; start-
ing age = 18y/o) and for Chlamydia trachomatis detection in a total
of 1152 individuals (stratified in 2 age groups; starting age = 18y/o).
Sample size for these agents was calculated assuming 50% preva-
lence with 5% precision and considering a design effect of 1.5.