Detection of dengue in German tourists returning from Ibiza, Spain, related to an autochthonous outbreak, August to October 2022.

In February 2023, German public health authorities reported two dengue cases (one confirmed, one probable) and four possible cases who travelled to Ibiza, Spain, in late summer/autumn 2022; the infection was probably acquired through mosquito bites. Case 1 visited Ibiza over 1 week in late August with two familial companions; all three developed symptoms the day after returning home. Only Case 1 was tested; dengue virus (DENV) infection was confirmed by presence of NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies. Case 2 travelled to Ibiza with two familial companions for 1 week in early October, and stayed in the same town as Case 1. Case 2 showed symptoms on the day of return, and the familial companions 1 day before and 3 days after return; Case 2 tested positive for DENV IgM. The most probable source case had symptom onset in mid-August, and travelled to a dengue-endemic country prior to a stay in the same municipality of Ibiza for 20 days, until the end of August. Dengue diagnosis was probable based on positive DENV IgM. Aedes albopictus, a competent vector for dengue, has been present in Ibiza since 2014. This is the first report of a local dengue transmission event on Ibiza.

Latent factors on the design and adoption of gamified apps in primary education.

The main objective of this research is to determine the perception of teachers about the elements that increases the educational effectiveness of gamified apps in primary education. A methodology based on an importance-performance analysis was daeveloped, using a structural equations model to calcuate the degree of importance of each variable. The sample was formed of 212 Spanish teachers with experience using educational apps in the teaching-learning process. Six categories were identified as precursors of educational effectiveness: (1) curriculum connection, (2) feedback and operational experience, (3) assessment and learning analytics, (4) sustainability (Protection Personal data), (5) equal access and (6) flow. These six categories enhance the three traditional areas of gamification intervention: cognitive, emotional and social. In this sense, the design and adoption of an educational gamified app should: (1) establish a clear link between the game and curricular content and competence development; (2) promote self-regulated learning through individual and collaborative activities; (3) offer adapted learning by integrating differentiated personalized learning pathways; (4) integrate learning analytics that can be consulted by teacher, student and family; (5) comply with data protection regulation and promote a safe, sustainable and ethical use of the information generated; (6) take into account different levels of functional diversity. When the gamified app design incorporates these attributes, primary education teachers perceive that such resources can be integrated effectively into the teaching-learning processes.

[Comparative severity of COVID-19 cases caused by Alpha, Delta or Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants and its association with vaccination]. / Gravedad comparativa de los casos de COVID-19 causados por las variantes Alfa, Delta u Ómicron de SARS-CoV-2 y su asociación con la vacunación.

BACKGROUND: This study compares the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections caused by Alpha, Delta or Omicron variants in periods of co-circulation in Spain, and estimates the variant-specific association of vaccination with severe disease. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 infections notified to the national epidemiological surveillance network with information on genetic variant and vaccination status were considered cases if they required hospitalisation or controls otherwise. Alpha and Delta were compared during June-July 2021; and Delta and Omicron during December 2021-January 2022. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) were estimated using logistic regression, comparing variant and vaccination status between cases and controls. RESULTS: We included 5,345 Alpha and 11,974 Delta infections in June-July and, 5,272 Delta and 10,578 Omicron in December-January. Unvaccinated cases of Alpha (aOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.46-0.69) or Omicron (0.28; 0.21-0.36) had lower probability of hospitalisation vs. Delta. Complete vaccination reduced hospitalisation, similarly for Alpha (0.16; 0.13-0.21) and Delta (June-July: 0.16; 0.14-0.19; December-January: 0.36; 0.30-0.44) but lower from Omicron (0.63; 0.53-0.75) and individuals aged 65+ years. CONCLUSION: Results indicate higher intrinsic severity of the Delta variant, compared with Alpha or Omicron, with smaller differences among vaccinated individuals. Nevertheless, vaccination was associated to reduced hospitalisation in all groups.

An imported case of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, Spain in the context of the ongoing polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern, September 2021.

The monthly retrospective search for unreported acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases conducted as a complementary component of the Spanish AFP surveillance system identified a case of AFP in a child admitted in Spain from Senegal during August 2021. Vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 was identified in the stool in September 2021. We present public health implications and response undertaken within the framework of the National Action Plan for Polio Eradication and the Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Comparative severity of COVID-19 cases caused by Alpha, Delta or Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants and its association with vaccination.

BACKGROUND: This study compares the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections caused by Alpha, Delta or Omicron variants in periods of co-circulation in Spain, and estimates the variant-specific association of vaccination with severe disease. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 infections notified to the national epidemiological surveillance network with information on genetic variant and vaccination status were considered cases if they required hospitalisation or controls otherwise. Alpha and Delta were compared during June-July 2021; and Delta and Omicron during December 2021-January 2022. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using logistic regression, comparing variant and vaccination status between cases and controls. RESULTS: We included 5,345 Alpha and 11,974 Delta infections in June-July and 5,272 Delta and 10,578 Omicron in December-January. Unvaccinated cases of Alpha (aOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.46-0.69) or Omicron (0.28; 0.21-0.36) had lower probability of hospitalisation vs. Delta. Complete vaccination reduced hospitalisation, similarly for Alpha (0.16; 0.13-0.21) and Delta (June-July: 0.16; 0.14-0.19; December-January: 0.36; 0.30-0.44) but lower from Omicron (0.63; 0.53-0.75) and individuals aged 65+ years. CONCLUSION: Results indicate higher intrinsic severity of the Delta variant, compared with Alpha or Omicron, with smaller differences among vaccinated individuals. Nevertheless, vaccination was associated to reduced hospitalisation in all groups.

Labeled dataset for training despeckling filters for SAR imagery.

When training Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning models, especially by using Supervised Learning techniques, a labeled dataset is required to have an input with data and its corresponding labeled output data. In the case of images, for classification, segmentation, or other processing tasks, a pair of images is required in the same sense, one image as an input (the noisy image) and the desired (the denoised image) one as an output. For SAR despeckling applications, the common approach is to have a set of optical images that then are corrupted with synthetic noise, since there is no ground truth available. The corrupted image is considered the input and the optical one is the noiseless one (ground truth). In this paper, we provide a dataset based on actual SAR images. The ground truth was obtained from SAR images of Sentinel 1 of the same region in different instants of time and then they were processed and merged into one single image that serves as the output of the dataset. Every SAR image (noisy and ground truth) was split into 1600 images of 512 × 512 pixels, so a total of 3200 images were obtained. The dataset was also split into 3000 for training and 200 for validation, all of them available in four labeled folders.

Cell cycle dependence of ACE-2 explains downregulation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Alveolar epithelial type II cells, a major source of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 in the adult lung, are normally quiescent but actively proliferate in lung fibrosis and downregulate this protective enzyme. It was, therefore, hypothesised that ACE-2 expression might be related to cell cycle progression. To test this hypothesis, ACE-2 mRNA levels, protein levels and enzymatic activity were examined in fibrotic human lungs and in the alveolar epithelial cell lines A549 and MLE-12 studied at postconfluent (quiescent) versus subconfluent (proliferating) densities. ACE-2 mRNA, immunoreactive protein and enzymatic activity were all high in quiescent cells, but were severely downregulated or absent in actively proliferating cells. Upregulation of the enzyme in cells that were progressing to quiescence was completely inhibited by the transcription blocker actinomycin D or by SP600125, an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In lung biopsy specimens obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, immunoreactive enzyme was absent in alveolar epithelia that were positive for proliferation markers, but was robustly expressed in alveolar epithelia devoid of proliferation markers. These data explain the loss of ACE-2 in lung fibrosis and demonstrate cell cycle-dependent regulation of this protective enzyme by a JNK-mediated transcriptional mechanism.

Spatio-temporal visualization and forecasting of [Formula: see text] in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Air pollution due to air contamination by gases, liquids, and solid particles in suspension, is a great environmental and public health concern nowadays. An important type of air pollution is particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less ([Formula: see text]) because one of the determining factors that affect human health is the size of particles in the atmosphere due to the degree of permanence and penetration they have in the respiratory system. Therefore, it is extremely interesting to monitor and understand the behavior of [Formula: see text] concentrations so that they do not exceed the established critical levels. In this work, we will study the [Formula: see text] concentrations in all available monitoring stations in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. To better understand its behavior, we will provide a spatio-temporal visualization of the [Formula: see text] concentrations. Besides the descriptive and visualization analysis, we consider six standard and advanced time series models that will be used to fit and forecast [Formula: see text] concentrations, with application to three locations, one in Belo Horizonte, the Minas Gerais state capital, and the monitoring stations with the lowest and highest average [Formula: see text] concentration levels.

Graphic Model of Virtual Teaching Supervision through Fuzzy Logic in Non-University Educational Centers.

This research analyzes the supervision of non-university virtual training due to the unexpected non-face-to-face teaching scenario caused by COVID-19 with a graphic model using the SULODITOOL® instrument. It arises as a research line of the Chair of Education and Emerging Technologies, Gamification and Artificial Intelligence of the Pablo de Olavide University (Seville) and is developed under the auspices of other assessment instruments within the framework of the functions and attributions of the Education Inspectorate of Spain. The aforementioned instrument is made up of 10 weighted supervisory indicators using fuzzy logic. The aggregation of linguistic variables of 242 expert judges was performed using the probabilistic OR function and defuzzified using the area centroid method to calculate the aforementioned weights. Based on the innovative analytical and graphic methodology used to analyze the supervision of virtual teaching, both synchronous and asynchronous, it stands out from the results obtained that there are certain supervision indicators, such as the training design and the methodology used, which should be considered as factors key in all the scenarios studied (primary education, compulsory secondary education and post-compulsory education).

Different Faces of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis With Preserved Forced Vital Capacity.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is progressive and irreversible. Some discrepancies about IPF staging exists, especially in mild phases. Forced vital capacity (FVC) higher than 80% has been considered early or mild IPF even for the design of clinical trials. METHODS: Spanish multicentre, observational, retrospective study of IPF patients diagnosed between 2012 and 2016, based on the ATS/ERS criteria, which presented FVC greater or equal 80% at diagnosis. Clinical and demographic characteristics, lung function, radiological pattern, treatment, and follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: 225 IPF patients were included, 72.9% were men. The mean age was 69.5 years. The predominant high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) pattern was consistent usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (51.6%). 84.7% of patients presented respiratory symptoms (exertional dyspnea and/or cough) and 33.33% showed oxygen desaturation below 90% in the 6min walking test (6MWT). Anti-fibrotic treatment was initiated at diagnosis in 55.11% of patients. Median FVC was 89.6% (IQR 17) and 58.7% of patients had a decrease of diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) below 60% of theoretical value; most of them presented functional progression (61.4%) and higher mortality at 3 years (20.45%). A statistically significant correlation with the 3-years mortality was observed between DLCO <60% and consistent UIP radiological pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with preserved FVC but presenting UIP radiological pattern and moderate-severe DLCO decrease at diagnosis associate an increased risk of progression, death or lung transplantation. Therefore, in these cases, preserved FVC would not be representative of early or mild IPF.

Socioeconomic Effects in Cyberbullying: Global Research Trends in the Educational Context.

Nowadays, cyberbullying has become a problem of social harassment in numerous educational centres worldwide. New communication technologies have provided the perfect support for the development of this type of harassment in peer relationships, in addition to being linked to broad social and economic circumstances. In this study, the global trends of the socioeconomic implications of cyberbullying in the educational context have been analysed, from 2004 to 2019. Thus, a bibliometric analysis has been applied to 1128 articles, obtaining results of the evolution of scientific activity in this period. The articles are mainly associated with the thematic areas of Social Sciences, Psychology, Medicine and Computer Science. Seven main thematic axes have been detected, highlighting those related to the psychological aspect, adolescence, and the school environment. Likewise, the link of the main authors, institutions, and countries to these lines of research has been detected. The evidence has shown the interest and relevance of this topic at the international level. Future research lines propose different analyses about how certain socioeconomic factors influence this psychological harassment inside and outside the classroom.

First national survey of the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in Clinical Microbiology Laboratories in Spain. / Primera encuesta nacional sobre el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en los laboratorios de microbiología clínica en España.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to know, through a national survey, the methods and techniques used for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in the different Clinical Microbiology Services/Laboratories in Spain, as well as antibiotic resistance data. METHODS: The survey requested information about the diagnostic methods performed for Hp detection in Clinical Microbiology laboratories, including serology, stool antigen, culture from gastric biopsies, and PCR. In addition, the performance of antibiotic susceptibility was collected. Data on the number of samples processed in 2016, positivity of each technique and resistance data were requested. The survey was sent by email (October-December 2017) to the heads of 198 Clinical Microbiology Laboratories in Spain. RESULTS: Overall, 51 centers from 29 regions answered the survey and 48/51 provided Hp microbiological diagnostic testing. Concerning the microbiological methods used to diagnose Hp infection, the culture of gastric biopsies was the most frequent (37/48), followed by stool antigen detection (35/48), serology (19/48) and biopsy PCR (5/48). Regarding antibiotic resistance, high resistance rates were observed, especially in metronidazole and clarithromycin (over 33%). CONCLUSION: Culture of gastric biopsies was the most frequent method for detection of Hp, but the immunochromatographic stool antigen test was the one with which the largest number of samples were analyzed. Nowadays, in Spain, it concerns the problem of increased antibiotic resistance to 'first-line' antibiotics.

Análisis de la percepción del estudiante universitario sobre el contexto sociotecnológico a través de la innovación didáctica / Analysis of the university student's perception of the sociotechnological context through didactic innovation / Análise da percepção do estudante universitário sobre o contexto sociotecnológico através da inovação didática

Resumen Introducción. En el presente artículo se presenta un estudio diacrónico en el que se analizan 405 concepciones de estudiantes universitarios sobre la Sociedad de la Información implementadas a través de un software social (Word Clouds). Objetivo. El objetivo principal consiste en analizar la funcionalidad didáctica de herramientas de creación y difusión de contenido digital para el desarrollo de contenidos de asignaturas universitarias. Materiales y métodos. La muestra participante está compuesta por estudiantes de dos titulaciones: Doble Grado en Trabajo Social y Educación Social correspondientes a los cursos académicos 2010/11 a 2016/17 y Grado de Educación Social (2013/2017) de la Universidad Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla (España). A través de una metodología descriptiva y cualitativa se realiza la codificación y análisis de frecuencias temáticas de las nubes de palabras creadas por los estudiantes correspondiente al curso académico 2011-12 del doble Grado de Trabajo Social y Educación Social (T.S/E.S) y se comparan con los restantes cursos académicos. Resultados. Los resultados muestran que los términos más representativos para los estudiantes son: Globalización (61,86%), Comunicación (43,85%), Tecnología (43,85%), Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) (41,73%), Información (38,98%), e Internet- Red de redes (25,21%). Por último, cabe resaltar que dieciséis nuevos términos aparecen, dependiendo del año académico, siendo los más mencionados: Desigualdad (19,91%), Crisis (13,13%) y Consumo (8,47%). Conclusión. Esta experiencia universitaria permite mostrar que la utilización educativa de creación de nubes de palabras digitales puede ser un recurso didáctico muy interesante como vehículo para el sedimento reflexivo y repositorio de experiencias de aprendizaje del alumnado universitario.

Abstract Introduction. In the present article a diachronic study is presented in which 405 conceptions of university students about the Information Society are analyzed through a social software resource (Word Clouds). Objective. The main objective is to analyze the didactic functionality of tools for creating and disseminating digital content for the development of content for university subjects. Materials and methods. The participating sample is composed of students of two degrees: Double Degree in Social Work and Social Education corresponding to the academic courses 2010/11 to 2016/17 and Degree in Social Education (2013/2017) of the University of Pablo de Olavide / Seville (Spain). Through a descriptive and qualitative methodology, we code and analyse the thematic frequencies of the word clouds created by the students corresponding to the academic year 2011-12 of the double Degree of Social Work and Social Education (TS / ES). Thus, we compare them with the remaining academic courses. Results. The results show that the most representative terms for students are: Globalization (61.86%), Communication (43.85%), Technology (43.85%), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) (41.73 %), Information (38.98%), and Internet- Network of networks (25.21%). Finally, it should be noted that sixteen new terms appear, depending on the academic year, being the most mentioned: Inequality (19.91%), Crisis (13.13%) and Consumption (8.47%). Conclusion. This university experience shows that the educational use of creating digital content with word clouds resources can be a very interesting didactic resource as a vehicle for reflection and a repository of learning experiences for university students.

Resumo Introdução. No presente artigo, é apresentado um estudo diacrônico em que 405 concepções de estudantes universitários sobre a Sociedade da Informação são analisadas por meio de um recurso de software social (Word Clouds). Objetivo. O objetivo principal é analizar a funcionalidade didática de ferramentas para criação e disseminação de conteúdo digital para o desenvolvimento de conteúdo para disciplinas universitárias. Materiais e métodos. A amostra participante é composta por estudantes de dois graus: Licenciatura Dupla em Serviço Social e Educação Social correspondente aos cursos acadêmicos 2010/11 a 2016/17 e Licenciatura em Educação Social (2013/2017) da Universidade de Pablo de Olavide / Sevilha (Espanha). Por meio de metodologia descritiva e qualitativa, codificamos e analizamos as frequências temáticas das nuvens de palavras criadas pelos alunos correspondentes ao ano acadêmico 2011-12 do duplo Grau de Serviço Social e Educação Social (TS / ES). Assim, comparamos com os demais cursos acadêmicos. Resultados. Os resultados mostram que os termos mais representativos para os alunos são: Globalização (61,86%), Comunicação (43,85%), Tecnologia (43,85%), Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) (41,73%), Informação (38,98%) e Internet-Rede de redes (25,21%). Por fim, cabe destacar que dezesseis novos termos aparecem, dependendo do ano acadêmico, sendo os mais mencionados: Desigualdade (19,91%), Crise (13,13%) e Consumo (8,47%). Conclusão. Essa experiência universitária mostra que o uso educacional da criação de conteúdo digital com recursos de nuvens de palavras pode ser um recurso didático muito interessante como veículo de reflexão e repositório de experiências de aprendizagem para estudantes universitários.

Comparative severity of COVID-19 cases caused by Alpha, Delta or Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants and its association with vaccination / Gravedad comparativa de los casos de COVID-19 causados por las variantes Alfa, Delta u Ómicron de SARS-CoV-2 y su asociación con la vacunación

Background: This study compares the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections caused by Alpha, Delta or Omicron variants in periods of co-circulation in Spain, and estimates the variant-specific association of vaccination with severe disease. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 infections notified to the national epidemiological surveillance network with information on genetic variant and vaccination status were considered cases if they required hospitalisation or controls otherwise. Alpha and Delta were compared during June–July 2021; and Delta and Omicron during December 2021–January 2022. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using logistic regression, comparing variant and vaccination status between cases and controls. Results: We included 5,345 Alpha and 11,974 Delta infections in June–July and 5,272 Delta and 10,578 Omicron in December–January. Unvaccinated cases of Alpha (aOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.46–0.69) or Omicron (0.28; 0.21–0.36) had lower probability of hospitalisation vs. Delta. Complete vaccination reduced hospitalisation, similarly for Alpha (0.16; 0.13–0.21) and Delta (June–July: 0.16; 0.14–0.19; December–January: 0.36; 0.30–0.44) but lower from Omicron (0.63; 0.53–0.75) and individuals aged 65+ years. Conclusion: Results indicate higher intrinsic severity of the Delta variant, compared with Alpha or Omicron, with smaller differences among vaccinated individuals. Nevertheless, vaccination was associated to reduced hospitalisation in all groups.(AU)

Introducción: El objetivo es comprar la gravedad de las infecciones por las variantes Alfa, Delta y Ómicron del SARS-CoV-2 en periodos de co-circulación en España, y estimar la asociación entre vacunación y gravedad en cada variante. Métodos: Las infecciones por SARS-CoV-2 notificadas a la red nacional de vigilancia epidemiológica con información sobre la variante viral y el estado de vacunación se clasificaron como casos si habían requerido hospitalización, o como controles en caso contrario. Alfa y Delta se compararon durante junio-julio de 2021, y Delta y Ómicron durante diciembre de 2021-enero de 2022. Se estimaron odds ratios ajustadas (ORa) mediante regresión logística, comparando la variante y el estado de vacunación entre casos y controles. Resultados: Se incluyeron 5.345 infecciones por variante Alfa y 11.974 por Delta en junio-julio y 5.272 infecciones por Delta y 10.578 por Ómicron en diciembre-enero. Los casos no vacunados por Alfa (aOR: 0,57; IC 95%: 0,46-0,69) u Ómicron (0,28; IC 95%: 0,21-0,36) tuvieron menor probabilidad de hospitalización comparados con Delta. La vacunación completa se asoció a menor hospitalización de forma similar para Alfa (0,16; IC 95%: 0,13-0,21) y Delta (junio-julio: 0,16; IC 95%: 0,14-0,19; diciembre-enero: 0,36; IC 95%: 0,30-0,44) pero menor para Ómicron (0,63; IC 95%: 0,53-0,75) y para individuos con 65+ años. Conclusión: Los resultados indican una mayor gravedad intrínseca de la variante Delta comparada con Alfa u Ómicron, con menor diferencia entre personas vacunadas. La vacunación se asoció a menor hospitalización en todos los grupos.(AU)

Predictors of prolonged weaning and survival during ventilator weaning in a respiratory ICU.

PURPOSE: An International Consensus Conference proposed classifying weaning into simple, difficult, and prolonged weaning. However, the usefulness of this classification in a respiratory intensive care unit (ICU) is unknown. The aims of the study were: (1) to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients from the three weaning groups in a respiratory ICU; and (2) to assess predictors for prolonged weaning and survival. METHODS: We prospectively studied 181 mechanically ventilated patients (131, 72% with chronic respiratory disorders) in whom weaning had been initiated, divided into simple (78, 43%), difficult (70, 39%), and prolonged (33, 18%) weaning. We compared the characteristics and outcomes among the three groups and determined the factors associated with prolonged weaning and survival in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Patients with simple and difficult weaning had similar characteristics and outcomes. A higher proportion of patients with prolonged weaning had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and these patients also had more complications, a longer stay and lower survival. Increased heart rate (≥105 min(-1), p < 0.001) and PaCO(2) (≥ 54 mmHg, p = 0.001) during the spontaneous breathing trial independently predicted prolonged weaning. In addition, the need for reintubation (p < 0.001) and hypercapnia during the spontaneous breathing trial (p = 0.003) independently predicted a decreased 90-day survival. CONCLUSION: Because of the similar characteristics and outcomes, the differentiation between simple and difficult weaning had no relevant clinical consequences in a respiratory ICU. Patients with prolonged weaning had the worst outcomes. For the overall population, hypercapnia at the end of spontaneous breathing predicts prolonged weaning and a worse survival, and clinicians should implement measures aimed at improving weaning outcome.

Primera encuesta nacional sobre el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en los laboratorios de microbiología clínica en España / First national survey of the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in Clinical Microbiology Laboratories in Spain

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer, mediante una encuesta nacional, los métodos y técnicas empleados para el diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori (Hp) en los distintos servicios/laboratorios de microbiología clínica en España, así como datos de resistencia antibiótica. MÉTODOS: En la encuesta se preguntaba sobre los métodos de diagnóstico realizados (serología, detección de antígeno en heces, cultivo de biopsias gástricas y PCR) y por la realización de pruebas de sensibilidad antibiótica. También fueron solicitados el número de muestras procesadas en 2016, la positividad de cada técnica empleada y porcentajes de resistencia antibiótica. La encuesta fue enviada por correo electrónico entre octubre y diciembre de 2017 a los responsables de 198 laboratorios de microbiología clínica. RESULTADOS: En total, 51 centros de 29 provincias respondieron a la encuesta y 48 de ellos realizaban algún tipo de técnica de diagnóstico de Hp en su laboratorio. En cuanto a las técnicas empleadas, el cultivo de biopsia gástrica fue el más utilizado (37/48), seguido de la detección de antígeno en heces (35/48), la serología (19/48) y la PCR (5/48). Respecto a la sensibilidad antibiótica, se observaron altas tasas de resistencia, especialmente a metronidazol y claritromicina (superiores al 33%). CONCLUSIÓN: El cultivo de biopsia gástrica fue la técnica diagnóstica de Hp utilizada por más centros, mientras que la detección de antígeno en heces mediante inmunocromatografía fue con la que se analizaron el mayor número de muestras. En España, en la actualidad, es preocupante el aumento de resistencia de Hp a antibióticos de «primera línea»

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to know, through a national survey, the methods and techniques used for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in the different Clinical Microbiology Services/Laboratories in Spain, as well as antibiotic resistance data. METHODS: The survey requested information about the diagnostic methods performed for Hp detection in Clinical Microbiology laboratories, including serology, stool antigen, culture from gastric biopsies, and PCR. In addition, the performance of antibiotic susceptibility was collected. Data on the number of samples processed in 2016, positivity of each technique and resistance data were requested. The survey was sent by email (October-December 2017) to the heads of 198 Clinical Microbiology Laboratories in Spain. RESULTS: Overall, 51 centers from 29 regions answered the survey and 48/51 provided Hp microbiological diagnostic testing. Concerning the microbiological methods used to diagnose Hp infection, the culture of gastric biopsies was the most frequent (37/48), followed by stool antigen detection (35/48), serology (19/48) and biopsy PCR (5/48). Regarding antibiotic resistance, high resistance rates were observed, especially in metronidazole and clarithromycin (over 33%). CONCLUSION: Culture of gastric biopsies was the most frequent method for detection of Hp, but the immunochromatographic stool antigen test was the one with which the largest number of samples were analyzed. Nowadays, in Spain, it concerns the problem of increased antibiotic resistance to 'first-line' antibiotics