Legionnaires’ disease is a severe and often fatal pneumonia primarily caused by the inhalation of aerosols contaminated with the waterborne pathogen Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. While conventional culture-based detection is often standard for monitoring evaporative cooling systems, the required 10-day cultivation period delays necessary risk assessments. To overcome this time barrier, we applied a novel approach to the flow-based chemiluminescence sandwich microarray immunoassay using cryopreserved Legionella pneumophila standards for rapid and culture-independent serotyping. The microarray features nine monoclonal and one polyclonal capture antibodies and successfully characterized the highly virulent Pontiac group at a concentration down to 105 total cells per 100 mL and specifically identified the highly infectious Philadelphia subtype at lower concentrations as a strain of the Pontiac group. However, some limitations of direct subtyping remain. To address the challenge, a novel workflow combining immunomagnetic separation and flow cytometry with the chemiluminescence sandwich microarray immunoassay was developed. Since viability is maintained after flow cytometric quantification, the cells can be subsequently cultured for a brief period, and single colonies can be used for subtyping. As before, we spiked real process water samples containing complex mixtures of four different subtypes using the cryopreserved Legionella pneumophila standards. This combined approach demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity, and successful reduction of the total processing time. The method enables both the precise, early quantification of Legionella pneumophila and detailed subtyping for demanded and exceeded action limits within real and complex process water matrices.

Emphasizing on noise-related self-efficacy, this study offers a novel, comprehensive examination of the complex interactions between noise sensitivity, annoyance, strain, and coping. Self-efficacy and coping as central psychological constructs have been understudied in this context. A quantitative online survey with 820 Germann school teachers, recruited through direct outreach and online advertising, was conducted and data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Results indicate that individual noise sensitivity has only a limited influence on annoyance and coping. In contrast, noise-related self-efficacy significantly reduces annoyance and strongly predicts behavioural coping, suggesting that self-effective teachers actively manage school noise. High noise sensitivity is associated with avoidance behaviour, while cognitive coping is used less frequently. None of the three identified coping styles significantly predicted noise-related strain, partly in line with previous findings. The study highlights the need for noise-focused interventions that strengthen cognitive coping strategies and enhance teachers’ self-efficacy in managing school noise.

In the Northern Hemisphere, annual waves of influenza disease with varying degrees of spread and severity are observed each winter. With wastewater-based surveillance (WBS), including both centralized (one wastewater treatment plant, WWTP) and decentralized (three sewers) sampling, we aimed to detect differences in influenza viral copy numbers in wastewater over time, to investigate (sub)-community transmission within a city. A total of 313 grab/spot and composite samples were collected in Munich, Germany, during three consecutive influenza seasons (2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25) and were analyzed for influenza A virus (IAV) and influenza B virus (IBV) nucleic acids using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). IAV and IBV wastewater copy numbers and citywide reported influenza cases showed strong correlations in both sampling approaches, suggesting the decentralized approach to be a reliable indicator of infection trends across the city. The three influenza seasons analyzed differed significantly in terms of their seasonal distribution, for example, exhibiting a strong co-circulation of IAV and IBV only in the 2024/25 season. Only with wastewater analysis, we reveal a reporting delay of influenza A cases at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. Higher influenza copy numbers were detected in sewer samples compared to the WWTP influent, likely due to viral decay. The study underscores the potential of influenza WBS to enable detection of seasonal onset early, identify local transmission patterns, and reveal underreporting in routine surveillance systems.

Die Pettenkofer School of Public Health ist ein modellhafter Zusammenschluss von Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Helmholtz Munich und dem Bayerischen Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit. Unter ihrem Dach sind Masterstudiengänge in Epidemiologie und Public Health verankert, die Umsetzung findet verzahnt mit dem Amtsarztlehrgang statt. Gesundheitswissenschaftler*innen, Mediziner*innen und weitere Disziplinen promovieren im Ph.D. Programm Epidemiology and Public Health.

Heat is associated with an increase in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) operations. However, different heat definitions in research, including outside air temperature (T), Heat Index (HI) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), impair the assessment of heat onthe frequency of EMS operations. Therefore, this study aims to compare (1) the relationship between different heat definitions and the frequency of days defined as heat events, (2) the percentage change in the number of EMS operations per heat definition, and (3) the goodness of model fit of each heat definition. We analyzed data from EMS operations and 106 weather stations in Bavaria, Germany (2018–2020), comparing 40 heat definitions with varying thresholds, percentiles (e.g. 90th percentile), and durations (≥ 1 or ≥ 2 days) based on T, HI, and UTCI. Negative binomial regression models were adjusted for confounders. All definitions indicate significant increased EMS operations during heat events, with effect sizes ranging from 8.3

Current data of actual airborne pollen concentrations is of high value for allergy sufferers and medical practitioners, as allergen avoidance is an important therapeutic approach to allergic rhinitis. In addition, pollen concentrations are important indicators for monitoring climate change, providing information on changes in plant growth, plant reactions to climate change and the arrival of neophytes. The importance of pollen monitoring as well as technical developments and the emergence of electronic pollen monitors led to the establishment of the electronic Pollen Information Network (ePIN) in Bavaria, Germany. ePIN is a fully electronic pollen monitoring network that offers real-time pollen information to the public currently in three-hourly intervals. It consists of eight electronic pollen monitors as well as four Hirst-type pollen traps. The ePIN data is public and free of charge. Consumers can access the information via a website or an app. This article describes ePIN, its establishment, operation and further development.

Die gegenseitige wertschätzende Wahrnehmung und partnerschaftliche Verbindung von Öffentlichem Gesundheitsdienst (ÖGD) und der Multidisziplin Public Health war in Deutschland ein langer Weg mit vielen Schritten. Es bedurfte dafür der wechselseitigen Verankerung und Verschränkung der Themen von „Alter“ und „Neuer“, systemorientierter Public Health in Theorie und Praxis. Die Fortsetzung dieses Weges ist, für beide Seiten wie auch für die Gesundheit der Bevölkerung, absehbar von großem Nutzen.

BACKGROUND:Aim of the study was to investigate the association of IgE sensitizations in serum and self-reported allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthmatic symptoms. METHODS:Between 2015 and 2018, parents of 1190 children in Günzburg, Germany participated in the study by completing a questionnaire. Settings were the Health-Monitoring-Units (HMU) during the obligatory school entry examinations and a medical examination for all German children at the age of 60-64 months (U9). Random serum samples from 340 children were analyzed for IgE-sensitizations. For possible associations of sensitization and six health outcomes (symptoms of AR, dry cough at night, wheeze, asthma diagnosis, physician-diagnosed asthma, and physician-diagnosed AR), a regression analysis was performed. RESULTS:The parents of 1190 children completed the questionnaire. Parental asthma and physician-diagnosed asthma (OR 4.79; 95%-CI [2.16-10.65]) and underweight at birth/preterm delivery showed the highest associations with asthma based on the German ISAAC definition (OR 3.58; 95%-CI [1.77-7.22]). Out of 340 children blood samples 118 children were sensitized against at least one allergen (airborne pollen allergens, non-seasonal airborne allergens, or food allergens). Sensitized children reported more frequently from symptoms of AR, wheeze, and asthma based on the German ISAAC definition than children without sensitization. CONCLUSION:This observational study identified the prevalence of AR, asthma and existing sensitization among the participating children. Parental asthma and underweight at birth were identified as risk factors for allergic symptoms and asthma.

Die Arbeit an Schulen wird häufig als "stressig" wahrgenommen. Die Gründe hierfür sind vielfältig und reichen von schwierigen Gesprächssituationen, unklaren Verantwortlichkeiten, ungünstigen räumlichen Gegebenheiten bis hin zu umfangreichen außerunterrichtlichen Pflichten, die zur regelmäßigen Mehrarbeit führen. Ob und in welchem Ausmaß derartig kritische Arbeitsanforderungen und -bedingungen vorliegen und wie die Arbeitssituation verbessert werden kann, sind Gegenstand der gesetzlich geforderten Gefährdungsbeurteilung zur psychischen Belastung, die Schulleitungen für ihre Schulen durchführen müssen.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals. The present paper describes the analysis of 969 human blood samples collected in South Germany aiming to determine whether there are statistic significant differences in internal PFAS burden between three regions with known PFAS releases in the environment (study regions) and three regions without known PFAS releases in the environment (control regions). Nine environmental relevant PFAS were analyzed, including the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) substitute 3H-perfluoro-3-[(3-methoxy-propoxy)propanoic acid] ammonium salt (ADONA). We found that concentrations of PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were higher than for all other PFAS in all of the six regions, but all medians of PFOA (between 0.8 and 0.9 ng/ml for the study and control regions) and PFOS (between 1.3 and 1.5 ng/ml for the study regions and between 1.4 and 1.5 ng/ml for the control regions) were below the human biomonitoring values (HBM) I for PFOA (2 ng/ml) und for PFOS (5 ng/ml) derived by the German HBM Commission. Concentrations of ADONA were below the limit of quantification in all samples. Minor differences were observed in PFAS blood levels between study and control regions. Especially for PFOS and PFOA the medians for women are slightly lower compared to men. In summary, individuals living in regions with known environmental PFAS contaminations show no higher internal PFAS exposure to controls and in comparison to other studies in the literature.

Legionella pneumophila are pathogenic bacteria that repeatedly occur in high concentrations in the process water of evaporative cooling systems (ECS). When released into the environment, the resulting bioaerosols can cause outbreaks with fatal consequences. The official, internationally accepted detection method for Legionella spp. in water samples is based on cultivation. However, cultivation is time-consuming and may underestimate the total count of viable L. pneumophila in ECS. Therefore, culture-independent methods are receiving attention for rapid monitoring. Cartridge-based immunomagnetic separation (IMS) coupled with flow cytometry (FCM) is an innovative, antibody-based method for the culture-independent quantification of L. pneumophila, using a panel of antibodies against serogroup (Sg) 1–15. We characterized the IMS-FCM method as a quantitative rapid test by general analytical procedures. Viable cryopreserved L. pneumophila standards were used in calibration experiments for the method. We achieved detection limits for Sg 1, Sg 4, and Sg 6 of 100, 105 and 88 viable cells per 100 mL, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated the practical applicability of IMS-FCM with real ECS samples and compared the performance against cultivation. Cultivation showed here no positive results, but IMS-FCM evidenced L. pneumophila in a range of 0–80,000 viable cells per 100 mL. This work demonstrates that IMS-FCM is a suitable, culture-independent, quantitative method for rapidly monitoring L. pneumophila.

Hintergrund: In den vergangenen Jahren ist Freizeitlärm als möglicher Risikofaktor für Gehörschäden verstärkt in das Blickfeld der Öffentlichkeit gelangt. Insbesondere Diskotheken-, Konzertbesuche und Musikkonsum über tragbare Musikabspielgeräte (Portable Listening Devices/PLD) wie Smartphones oder MP3-Player stehen im Verdacht, für Gehörschäden unter Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen verantwortlich zu sein.

OBJECTIVE To examine risky leisure noise exposure from listening to music via headphones and to identify potential determinants with special focus on portable listening devices (PLDs) among adolescents over a period of 7.5-years. DESIGN Data were collected by questionnaires at four equidistant time points (O1-O4). Music exposure via headphones was calculated based on self-reported volume setting and listening duration. Exceeding 85 dB(A) equivalent for a 40-hour working week was defined as risky noise exposure. Determinants of risky headphone and PLD exposure were investigated using generalised estimating equations and accounting for missing data by multiple imputation. STUDY SAMPLE Closed cohort of 2148 students attending 9th grade of any secondary school type in Regensburg (Germany), during 2009 to 2011. RESULTS Risky noise exposure from headphone usage was almost twice as high in wave O1 and O2 (at age 15 or 18) compared with 20-23-year-olds in O3 and O4. Risky exposure to headphones and PLDs were associated with younger age, low and medium education, single-parent household and smoking, whereas good self-rated hearing showed a protective effect. Additionally, not being born in Germany was associated with risky PLD exposure. CONCLUSION Before harmful behaviours become entrenched, starting preventive efforts at a young age is essential.