Factors associated with referrals for directly observed treatment and unsuccessful treatment.

To describe the characteristics of people indicated for directly observed treatment (DOT) in Spain, and the factors associated with unsuccessful treatment.This was a multicentre observational study based on a prospective follow-up of patients over 18 years old diagnosed with TB between 2006 and 2019 from the registry of the Programa Integrado de Investigación en Tuberculosis (PII-TB). Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated for the indication of DOT and for having an unsuccessful treatment.A total of 7,883 patients were included. The indication of DOT was associated with being homeless (aOR 5.93, 95% CI 3.03-11.59), inactivity status (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 2.02-3.23), alcohol consumption (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.51-2.48), parenteral drug use (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.06-2.95) and HIV diagnosis (aOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.16-3.29). Unsuccessful treatment was associated with having an HIV diagnosis (aPR 2.31, 95% CI 1.31-4.08), having a worse clinical and radiological evolution (clinical progression: APR 15.59, 95% CI 8.21-29.60; radiological progression: aPR 12.84, 95% CI 6.46-25.52), need for hospitalisation (aPR 1.73, 95% CI 1.10-2.73), unsatisfactory tolerability (aPR 2.82, 95% CI 1.49-5.29), the existence of difficulties in understanding the prescribed treatment (aPR 1.92, 95% CI 1.21-3.06), as well as worse treatment satisfaction (aPR 7.27, 95% CI 4.32-12.24).The prioritisation of vulnerable populations is a key aspect to carry out the new Global Plan to End TB 2023-2030. In these groups DOT indication should be increased to ensure adherence and patient follow-up and outcomes..

Two simultaneous botulism outbreaks in Barcelona: Clostridium baratii and Clostridium botulinum.

Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disorder that can be potentially life-threatening. In Barcelona, Spain, no outbreaks had been reported in the past 25 years. However, in September 2011, two outbreaks occurred involving two different families. A rare case of Clostridium baratii which produced a neurotoxin F outbreak was detected in five family members who had shared lunch, and several days before that another family was affected by C. botulinum toxin A which was probably present in homemade pâté.

Lymphogranuloma venereum: a hidden emerging problem, Barcelona, 2011.

From the beginning of 2007 until the end of 2011, 146 cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) were notified to the Barcelona Public Health Agency. Some 49% of them were diagnosed and reported in 2011, mainly in men who have sex with men. Almost half of them, 32 cases, were reported between July and September. This cluster represents the largest since 2004. This article presents the ongoing outbreak of LGV in Barcelona.

[Powdered infant formulae preparation guide for hospitals based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles]. / Guía para la elaboración de fórmulas infantiles en polvo en el medio hospitalario. Sistema de análisis de peligros y puntos de control crítico.

This guide for the preparation of powdered infant formulae in hospital environments is a collaborative work between several hospital services and is based on national and European regulations, international experts meetings and the recommendations of scientific societies. This guide also uses the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles proposed by Codex Alimentarius and emphasises effective verifying measures, microbiological controls of the process and the corrective actions when monitoring indicates that a critical control point is not under control. It is a dynamic guide and specifies the evaluation procedures that allow it to be constantly adapted.