Lessons Learned in Elective Surgeries After 6 Pandemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2. A Single European Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The reported high surgical morbidity and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 prompted preoperative screening and modification of surgical protocols. Although vaccination and treatment of COVID-19 have resulted in lower hospitalization rates and infection severity, publications on postoperative results have not been updated. The aim of the study was to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery in two periods with high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, before and after vaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing surgery in two periods: March-June 2020 (Group2020) and December 2021-February 2022 (Group2022) (after massive vaccination). RESULTS: In total, 618 patients who underwent surgery were included in the analysis (Group2020: 343 vs. Group2022: 275). Significantly more oncological procedures were performed in Group2020, and there were no differences in postoperative complications. Nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 4 patients in Group2020 and 1 patient in Group2022. In Group 2022, 70 patients (25.4%) had COVID-19 prior to surgery, and 68 (97.1%) were vaccinated. Comparative analysis between patients with past COVID-19 and those without showed no difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality. According to the time elapsed between SARS-CoV-2 infection and surgery (≤ 7 or > 7 weeks), comparative analysis showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The establishment of preoperative screening protocols for SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a low incidence of nosocomial infection and optimal postoperative outcomes. Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated patients was not associated with increased postoperative complications, even in shorter periods after infection. In surgical patients, individualized preoperative evaluation after SARS-CoV-2 infection may be more important than strict time limitation.

Appendiceal diverticulitis diagnosed by ultrasound.

Appendiceal diverticulitis is a rare entity that may present clinically simulating appendicitis. The importance of its diagnosis lies in the higher risk of complications including malignant transformation. The presence of small cystic appendicular peripheral images with thickened wall and hyperechoic surrounding fat are the diagnostic key.

[Analysis of the broadcasting and perceived utility through the implementation of a virtual training platform during the pandemic]. / Análisis de la difusión y utilidad percibida a través de la implementación de una plataforma de formación virtual durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected training opportunities for healthcare professionals partly because face to face courses were cancelled. This study analyzes the results of participation and satisfaction of the AEC Virtual Classroom sessions during the first year. Methods: The AEC Virtual Classroom includes a combined format of weekly Webinar broadcast live that can be viewed on a delayed basis in a virtual platform. In this study, the results in its first year are evaluated considering the number of live participants, the delayed views and the global reach; as well as the results of the satisfaction survey in each of the sessions (0-10). Results: From 16/04/2020 to 15/04/2021, 50 sessions of the Virtual Classroom AEC were held. The average scope of the sessions was 509 ± 288 views with a range between 196 and 149. At the times of highest incidence of cases during the pandemic, a decrease in live participants was observed 275 ± 135 vs. 391 ± 233 (p = 0.032). The mean score on the format was 8.46 ± 0.31/10. The best-scored sessions were those of the subject related to coloproctology with a statistically significant difference in the mean score 8.79 ± 0.42 vs. 8.39 ± 0.27 (p = 0.035). 90% of users considered the sessions useful. 97.2% of respondents believe that the sessions should be maintained after the pandemic. Conclusions: The AEC Virtual Classroom has a very good results in the first year, proving to be a useful surgical teaching tool that will foreseeably survive once the pandemic is over.

Hepatic reactive lymphoid hyperplasia: a difficult differential diagnosis with hepatocarcinoma.

Hepatic reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (HRLH) is an uncommon lesion. We present the case of a 58-year-old patient with a liver nodule incidentally found by abdominal ultrasonography (US). Liver function, tumor markers, viral serology and immunology were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 16 mm nodule in segment VI-VII, with hypervascular enhancement in the arterial phase, wash-out in late phases, without contrast-retention in the hepatobiliary phase and restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging, suggestive of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Safety and feasibility of cholecystectomy in octogenarians. Analysis of a single center series of 316 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, outcomes for patients over 80years of age are not well studied. The primary aim of this study was to describe the safety and feasibility of cholecystectomy, including in the acute setting, in a cohort of patients≥80 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients aged≥80 years submitted to cholecystectomy at a single institution from January 2013 to January 2018 was performed. Severity of acute cholecystitis was graded according to the updated Tokyo Guidelines 18. Early cholecystectomy was defined as being performed within the first 48h after admission and delayed when performed beyond 48h of the admission. RESULTS: In total 316 patients underwent cholecystectomy. The indication was acute cholecystitis in 113 (36%) patients. Of the 316 patients 289 (92%) were attempted laparoscopically and 30 (10%) were converted to open. Major complications occurred in 44 patients (14%) and mortality rate was 4%. No bile duct injuries were observed. For those patients with mild or moderate acute cholecystitis (n = 103), there was no differences in outcomes when comparing early vs delayed surgery. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy in patients≥80 years of age is safe and feasible. Outcomes did not differ between early and delayed surgery for mild/moderate acute cholecystitis.

Analysis of the broadcasting and perceived utility through the implementation of a virtual training platform during the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected training opportunities for healthcare professionals partly because face to face courses were cancelled. This study analyzes the results of participation and satisfaction of the AEC Virtual Classroom sessions during the first year. METHODS: The AEC Virtual Classroom includes a combined format of weekly Webinar broadcast live that can be viewed on a delayed basis in a virtual platform. In this study, the results in its first year are evaluated considering the number of live participants, the delayed views and the global reach; as well as the results of the satisfaction survey in each of the sessions (0-10). RESULTS: From 16/04/2020 to 15/04/2021, 50 sessions of the Virtual Classroom AEC were held. The average scope of the sessions was 509 ± 288 views with a range between 196 and 149. At the times of highest incidence of cases during the pandemic, a decrease in live participants was observed 275 ± 135 vs. 391 ± 233 (P = 0.032). The mean score on the format was 8.46 ± 0.31/10. The best-scored sessions were those of the subject related to coloproctology with a statistically significant difference in the mean score 8.79 ± 0.42 vs. 8.39 ± 0.27 (P = 0.035). 90% of users considered the sessions useful. 97.2% of respondents believe that the sessions should be maintained after the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The AEC Virtual Classroom has had very good results in the first year, proving to be a useful surgical teaching tool that will foreseeably survive once the pandemic is over.

Recommendations on intervention for hepatobiliary oncological surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Recomendaciones de actuación en cirugía oncológica hepatobiliopancreática durante la pandemia COVID-19.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic requires an analysis in the field of oncological surgery, both on the risk of infection, with very relevant clinical consequences, and on the need to generate plans to minimize the impact on possible restrictions on health resources. The AEC is making a proposal for the management of patients with hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) malignancies in the different pandemic scenarios in order to offer the maximum benefit to patients, minimising the risks of COVID-19 infection, and optimising the healthcare resources available at any time. This requires the coordination of the different treatment options between the departments involved in the management of these patients: medical oncology, radiotherapy oncology, surgery, anaesthesia, radiology, endoscopy department and intensive care. The goal is offer effective treatments, adapted to the available resources, without compromising patients and healthcare professionals safety.

CD133 + cell infusion in patients with colorectal liver metastases going to be submitted to a major liver resection (CELLCOL): A randomized open label clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma is surgical resection. However, only 10-15% of the patients in this context will be candidate for curative resection arising other 10-13% after response to neoadyuvant chemotherapy. In order to perform the liver metastases surgery, it is necessary to have a sufficient remnant liver volume (RLV) which allows maintaining an optimal liver function after resection. Studies on liver regeneration have determined that CD133 + stem cells are involved in liver hypertrophy developed after an hepatectomy with encouraging results. As presented in previous studies, CD133 + stem cells can be selected from peripheral blood after stimulation with G-CSF, being able to obtain a large number of them. We propose to treat patients who do not meet criteria for liver metastases surgery because of insufficient RLV (<40%) with CD133 + cells together with portal embolization, in order to achieve enough liver volume which avoids liver failure. METHODS: /Design: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative PVE plus the administration of CD133 + mobilized from peripheral blood with G-CSF compared to PVE only. SECONDARY AIMS ARE: to compare the grade of hypertrophy, speed and changes in liver function, anatomopathological study of hypertrophied liver, to determine the safety of the treatment and analysis of postoperative morbidity and surveillance. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized longitudinal phase IIb clinical trial, open, to evaluate the efficacy of portal embolization (PVE) together with the administration of CD133 + cells obtained from peripheral blood versus PVE alone, in patients with hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma (CCRHM). DISCUSSION: The number of CD133 + obtained from peripheral blood after G -CSF stimulation will be far greater than the number obtained with direct puncture of bone marrow. This will allow a greater intrahepatic infusion, which could have a direct impact on achieving a larger and quicker hypertrophy. Consequently, it will permit the treatment of a larger number of patients with an increase on their survival. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT03803241.

COVID -19: On the threshold of the fifth year. The situation in Spain / COVID-19: A las puertas del quinto año

Despite having emerged from pandemic status, the incidence of COVID-19 episodes has recently increased in Spain, including pediatric cases and admissions to Intensive Care Units. Several recombinant variants are circulating among us, particularly XBB arising from two Omicron BA.2 sublineages with mutations in the genes encoding the spicule proteins that could increase binding to the ACE2 receptor and be more prone to immune escape. Faced with these, 3 pharmaceutical companies have developed vaccines adapted to the XBB.1.5 sublineage that are already available for administration in our setting with risks that should not be different from those of previous mRNA vaccines and with clearly favorable benefit/risk ratios. They should be applied to patients with potential for poor COVID-19 evolution and to collectives that have a particular relationship of proximity with them. Their application should be understood not only from a perspective of individual convenience but also from that of collective responsibility. The most convenient seems to be a simultaneous immunization of COVID-19 and influenza in our environment. In the therapeutic aspect, there is little to expect right now from antisera, but the already known antiviral drugs are still available and indicated, although their efficacy will have to be reevaluated due to their impact on populations that are mostly immunized and with a better prognosis than in the past. In our opinion, it is necessary to continue to make a reasonable and timely use of masks and other non-pharmacological means of protection. (AU)

Pese a haber salido de la situación de pandemia, la incidencia de episodios de COVID-19 ha aumentado recientemente en España, incluidos los casos pediátricos y los ingresos en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Circulan entre nosotros diversas variantes recombinantes, particularmente la XBB surgidas de dos sublinajes Omicron BA.2 con mutaciones en los genes que codifican las proteínas de la espícula y que pudieran aumentar la unión al receptor ACE2 y ser más propensas al escape inmune. Frente a ellas, 3 empresas farmacéuticas han elaborado vacunas adaptadas al sublinaje XBB.1.5 que ya se encuentran disponibles para su administración en nuestro medio con riesgos que no deben ser diferentes a los de las vacunas mRNA previas y con relaciones beneficio/riesgos claramente favorables. Deben aplicarse a pacientes con potencial de mala evolución de COVID-19 y a los colectivos que tienen una particular relación de proximidad con ellos. Su aplicación debe ser entendida no sólo desde una perspectiva de conveniencia individual sino desde la de la responsabilidad colectiva. Lo más conveniente parece hacer una inmunización simultánea de COVID-19 y gripe en nuestro medio. En el aspecto terapéutico hay poco que esperar ahora mismo de los antisueros pero siguen estando disponibles e indicados los fármacos antivirales ya conocidos aunque su eficacia tendrá que reevaluarse por su impacto en poblaciones mayoritariamente inmunizadas y con pronóstico mejor que las de tiempos pasados. A nuestro juicio, es necesario seguir haciendo un uso razonable y puntual de mascarillas y otros medios no farmacológicos de protección. (AU)

Respiratory syncytial virus: A new era / Virus respiratorio sincitial: un nuevo tiempo

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major public health problem that has undergone significant changes in recent years. First of all, it has become easier to diagnose with highly reliable and rapidly available confirmatory tests. This has led to a better understanding of its epidemiology and RSV has gone from being a disease of the pediatric age group, severe only in infants and immunosuppressed children, to being a common disease in people of all ages, particularly important in patients of advanced age or with immunosuppressive diseases. Recent therapeutic and prophylactic advances, both with long-lasting monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, are another reason for satisfaction. For these reasons, the COVID and Emerging Pathogens Committee of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) has considered it pertinent to review this subject in the light of new knowledge and new resources for dealing with this infection. We have formulated a series of questions that we believe will be of interest not only to members of the College but also to any non-expert in this subject, with a particular focus on the situation of RSV infection in Spain. (AU)

El Virus Respiratorio Sincitial (VRS), es un problema de salud pública de primera magnitud que en años recientes ha experimentado cambios muy importantes. En primer lugar, se ha producido una mayor facilidad diagnóstica con pruebas confirmatorias altamente fiables y rápidamente disponibles. Esto ha permitido conocer mejor su epidemiología y VRS ha pasado de ser una enfermedad de la edad pediátrica, grave sólo en lactantes y niños inmunodeprimidos, a ser una enfermedad común en personas de toda edad, particularmente importante en pacientes de edades avanzadas o con enfermedades que inmunodeprimen. Los avances terapéuticos y profilácticos, recientes, tanto con anticuerpos monoclonales de larga duración como con vacunas, constituyen otro motivo de satisfacción. Por estos motivos, el Comité de COVID y de patógenos emergentes del Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid (ICOMEM) ha considerado pertinente revisar este tema, a la luz de los nuevos conocimientos y de los nuevos recursos para afrontar esta infección. Hemos formulado una serie de preguntas que creemos de interés no sólo para los colegiados si no para cualquier persona no experta en este tema, con una vista particular en la situación de la infección por VRS en España. (AU)

Prophylactic closure of trocar orifices with an intraperitoneal mesh (ventralex) in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery reduces, but not eliminates, the rate of incisional hernia. It is accepted that large trocar orifices should be sutured, in order to prevent future herniation. In morbidly obese patients, the closure of the anterior fascia is a very difficult job, and it does not prevent from preperitoneal herniation. Ventralex composite mesh is a very easy-to-place device, which closes satisfactorily both the peritoneal opening and the subcutaneous trocar pathway. We recommend its use for large diameter orifices and Hasson orifices in bariatric patients.

Insights for COVID-19 in 2023 / Perspectivas de COVID-19 para 2023

Predictions for a near end of the pandemic by the World Health Organization should be interpreted with caution. Current evidence indicates that the efficacy of a fourth dose of classical mRNA vaccines (BT162b2 or mRNA-1273) is low and short-lived in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in its predominant variant (Omicron). However, its efficacy is high against severe symptomatic infection, hospitalization and death. The new vaccines being introduced are bivalent and active against the Omicron variants. Potential new vaccines to be introduced in the coming year include a vaccine based on a recombinant protein that emulates the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein under development by the Spanish company Hipra, as well as vaccines for nasal or oral administration. Available information suggests that vaccines against COVID-19 can be administered in association with influenza vaccination without particular complications. New drugs against COVID-19, both antiviral and anti-inflammatory, are under investigation, but this does not seem to be the case with monoclonal antibodies. The indication to use masks in some circumstances will be maintained next year in view of the accumulation of scientific data on their efficacy. Finally, the long COVID or Post-COVID syndrome may continue to affect a very high proportion of patients who have had the disease, requiring combined diagnostic and therapeutic resources. (AU)

Las predicciones para un próximo fin de la pandemia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud deben interpretarse con precaución. La evidencia actual indica que la eficacia de una cuarta dosis de las vacunas clásicas ARNm (BNT162b2 o mRNA-1273) es baja y de corta duración para prevenir la infección de SARS-CoV-2 en su variante predominante (Omicron). No obstante, su eficacia es alta frente a la infección sintomática grave, hospitalización y muerte. Las nuevas vacunas que están siendo introducidas son bivalentes y activas frente a las variantes Omicron. Entre las potenciales nuevas vacunas que se introducirán en el próximo año, se encuentra una vacuna basada en una proteína recombinante que emula el dominio de unión al receptor de la proteína Spike en desarrollo por la compañía española Hipra, así como vacunas de administración nasal u oral. La información disponible apunta a que las vacunas frente al COVID-19 podrán administrarse asociadas a la vacunación antigripal sin particulares complicaciones. Se encuentran en investigación nuevos fármacos frente a COVID-19 tanto antivirales como anti-inflamatorios pero no parece ocurrir lo mismo con los anticuerpos monoclonales. La indicación de utilizar mascarillas en algunas circunstancias se mantendrá el próximo año en vista a la acumulación de datos científicos sobre su eficacia. Finalmente, el síndrome del COVID largo o Post-COVID puede que siga afectando a una proporción muy elevada de los pacientes que sufrieron la enfermedad, requiriendo recursos diagnósticos y terapéuticos combinados. (AU)

Tuberculosis in Spain: An opinion paper / Tuberculosis en España: Un documento de opinión

This document is the result of the deliberations of the Committee on Emerging Pathogens and COVID-19 of the Il lustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) regarding the current situation of tuberculosis, particularly in Spain. We have reviewed aspects such as the evolution of its incidence, the populations currently most exposed and the health care circuits for the care of these patients in Spain. We have also discussed latent tuberculosis, the reality of extrapul monary disease in the XXI century and the means available in daily practice for the diagnosis of both latent and active forms. The contribution of molecular biology, which has changed the perspective of this disease, was another topic of discussion. The paper tries to put into perspective both the classical drugs and their resistance figures and the availability and indications of the new ones. In addition, the reality of direct observa tion in the administration of antituberculosis drugs has been discussed. All this revolution is making it possible to shorten the treatment time for tuberculosis, a subject that has also been reviewed. If everything is done well, the risk of relapse of tuberculosis is small but it exists. On the other hand, many special situations have been discussed in this paper, such as tuberculosis in pediatric age and tuberculosis as a cause for concern in surgery and intensive care. The status of the BCG vaccine and its present indications as well as the future of new vaccines to achieve the old dream of eradicating this disease have been discussed. Finally, the ethical and medicolegal impli cations of this disease are not a minor issue and our situation in this regard has been reviewed (AU)

El presente documento es el resultado de las deliberacio nes del Comité sobre Patógenos Emergentes y COVID-19 del Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid (ICOMEM) en re lación a la situación actual de la tuberculosis, particularmente en España. Hemos revisado aspectos tales como la evolución de su incidencia, las poblaciones actualmente más expuestas y los circuitos sanitarios para la atención a estos pacientes en España. Se ha discutido también la tuberculosis latente, la rea lidad de la enfermedad extrapulmonar en el siglo XXI y los me dios de que en la práctica diaria se dispone para el diagnóstico tanto de las formas latentes como de las activas. La aportación de la biología molecular que ha cambiado la perspectiva de es ta enfermedad ha constituido otro de los temas de debate. El documento trata de poner en perspectiva tanto los fármacos clásicos y sus cifras de resistencia como la disponibilidad e in dicaciones de los nuevos. Junto a esto, se ha discutido la rea lidad de la observación directa en la administración de fárma cos antituberculosos. Toda esta revolución está posibilitando el acortamiento del tiempo de tratamiento de la tuberculosis tema que ha sido igualmente revisado. Si todo se hace bien, el riesgo de recaída de la tuberculosis es pequeño pero existen te. Por otra parte, muchas situaciones especiales han merecido discusión en este documento como por ejemplo la tuberculosis en edad pediátrica y la tuberculosis como causa de preocupa ción en cirugía y cuidados intensivos. Se ha discutido tanto la situación de la vacuna BCG y sus indicaciones presentes, co mo el futuro de nuevas vacunas que permitan alcanzar el viejo sueño de erradicar esta enfermedad. Finalmente, las implica ciones éticas y medicolegales que esta enfermedad plantea no son un tema menor y se ha revisado nuestra situación en este particular (AU)

Sexually transmitted infections in Spain: Current status / Infecciones de transmisión sexual en España: Situación actual

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are a major public health problem. The problems inherent to their diagnosis, treatment and prevention have to do not only with their nature, but also with organizational issues and overlapping competencies of the different health authorities in Spain. The real situation of STI in Spain, at present, is poorly known. For this reason, the Scientific Committee on COVID and Emerging Pathogens of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) has formulated a series of questions on this subject which were distributed, not only among the members of the Committee, but also among experts outside it. The central health authorities provide very high and increasing figures for gonococcal infection, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis infection and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). Both HIV infection and Monkeypox are two important STI caused by viruses in our environment, to which it should be added, mainly, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Emerging microorganisms such as Mycoplasma genitalium pose not only pathogenic challenges but also therapeutic problems, as in the case of N. gonohrroeae. The pathways that patients with suspected STI follow until they are adequately diagnosed and treated are not well known in Spain. Experts understand that this problem is fundamentally managed in public health institutions, and that Primary Care and Hospital Emergency Services, together with some institutions that deal monographically with this problem, are the recipients of most of these patients (AU)

Las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual (ITS) constituyen un problema de Salud Pública de primera magnitud. Los prob lemas inherentes a su diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención tienen que ver no solo con la naturaleza de las mismas, sino también con problemas de organización y de solapamiento de competencias de las distintas autoridades sanitarias. La situación real de las ITS en España no se conoce bien en el momento actual. Por este motivo, el Comité Científico sobre COVID y Patógenos emergentes del Ilustre Colegio Ofi cial de Médicos de Madrid (ICOMEM) se ha formulado una se rie de preguntas sobre este tema que ha distribuido, no sólo entre los miembros del Comité, sino también entre expertos ajenos al mismo. Las autoridades ministeriales aportan cifras muy elevadas y crecientes de infección gonocócica, sífilis, in fección por Chlamydia trachomatis y Linfogranuloma venéreo. Tanto la infección por VIH como Monkeypox son en nuestro medio dos importantes ITS causadas por virus a las que deben añadirse, principalmente, las infecciones por el Virus herpes simplex (VHS) y el Virus del Papiloma Humano (HPV). Emer gen patógenos como Mycoplasma genitalium que plantean no sólo retos patogénicos si no también problemas terapéuticos, como ocurre en el caso de N. gonohrroeae. Los caminos que siguen los pacientes con sospecha de ITS hasta su adecuado diagnóstico y tratamiento no se conocen bien en España. Los expertos entienden que este problema es fundamentalmente manejado en instituciones sanitarias de titularidad pública, y que los servicios de Atención Primaria y de Urgencias Hospitalarias, junto con algunas instituciones monográficamente destinadas a este problema, son los re ceptores de la mayor parte de estas enfermedades. Una de las dificultades más serias de las ITS estriba en la disponibilidad de las pruebas microbiológicas necesarias para su diagnóstico, particularmente en esta época de externalización de servicios de Microbiología (AU)

Advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the mandatory use of masks in health centers and nursing homes in Spain. How and when is it justified to maintain it? / Ventajas e inconvenientes de mantener la obligatoriedad del uso de las mascarillas en centros sanitarios y sociosanitarios en España. ¿Cómo y cuándo está justificado mantenerla?

We address the advantages and disadvantages of main taining the mandatory use of masks in health centers and nursing homes in the current epidemiological situation in Spain and after the declaration of the World Health Organiza tion on May 5, 2023 of the end of COVID-19 as public health emergency. We advocate for prudence and flexibility, respect ing the individual decision to wear a mask and emphasizing the need for its use when symptoms suggestive of a respira tory infection appear, in situations of special vulnerability (such as immunosuppression), or when caring for patients with those infections. At present, given the observed low risk of se vere COVID-19 and the low transmission of other respiratory infections, we believe that it is disproportionate to maintain the mandatory use of masks in a general way in health centers and nursing homes. However, this could change depending on the results of epidemiological surveillance and it would be necessary to reconsider returning to the obligation in periods with a high incidence of respiratory infections (AU)

Abordamos las ventajas e inconvenientes de mantener la obligatoriedad del uso de las mascarillas en centros sani tarios y sociosanitarios en la situación epidemiológica actual de España y tras la declaración de la Organización Mundial de la Salud el 5 de mayo de 2023 del fin de la COVID-19 como emergencia de salud pública. Propugnamos prudencia y flexi bilidad, respetando la decisión individual de usar mascarilla y enfatizando la necesidad de su uso ante la aparición de sín tomas sugestivos de infección respiratoria, en situaciones de especial vulnerabilidad (como inmunodepresión) o al attender pacientes con dichas infecciones. En la actualidad, dado el ba jo riesgo observado de COVID-19 grave y la baja transmisión de otras infecciones respiratorias, creemos que es despropor cionado mantener el uso obligatorio de mascarillas de forma generalizada en centros sanitarios y sociosanitarios. No obs tante, esto podría cambiar en función de los resultados de la vigilancia epidemiológica y habría que reconsiderar volver a la obligatoriedad en periodos con alta incidencia de infecciones respiratorias (AU)

Status of Herpes Zoster and Herpes Zoster Vaccines in 2023: A position paper / Situación del herpes zóster y de las vacunas contra el mismo en 2023: Un documento de opinión

Herpes zoster infection (HZ) is an important public health problem due to its high incidence and frequent complications, especially post-herpetic neuropathy . The incidence of HZ increases with age and is more frequent in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that at least 60,000 people develop HZ each year in Spain.The usual forms of HZ are so clinically characteristic that they do not usually require microbiological confirmation, which is reserved for cases without cutaneous manifestations or with atypical presentation.There are currently two vaccines approved by the regulatory agencies and marketed in Spain to prevent the onset of HZ and its complications. The first (Zostavax®) was marketed by the company MSD and licensed in Europe in 2006 and is a live attenuated virus vaccine that is administered in a single dose, while the second (Shingrix®) is a recombinant vaccine, marketed in 2017 and requires two doses. While the former cannot be administered to immunocompromised persons, the latter can be prescribed to any group of adults.The criteria for the indication and financing of these vaccines have not been uniform in the various autonomous communities of Spain.These and other aspects of HZ have been discussed by a group of experts from the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) whose criteria and opinions are included in this paper. (AU)

La infección por herpes zoster (HZ) es un importante problema de salud pública, por su elevada incidencia y frecuentes complicaciones; en especial la neuropatía post herpética. La incidencia de HZ aumenta con la edad y es más frecuente en inmunodeprimidos. Se calcula que, al menos, 60.000 personas desarrollan HZ cada año en España. Las formas habituales de HZ son tan características clínicamente que no suelen requerir confirmación microbiológica que se reserva para casos sin manifestaciones cutáneas o con manifestaciones atípicas En la actualidad, existen en España dos vacunas aprobadas por las agencias reguladoras y comercializadas para prevenir la aparición de HZ y sus complicaciones. La primera (Zostavax®) fue comercializada por la compañía MSD y autorizada en Europa en 2006 y es una vacuna de virus vivos atenuados que se administra en dosis única, mientras que la segunda (Shingrix®) es una vacuna recombinante, comercializada en 2017 y requiere dos dosis. Mientras la primera no puede ser administrada a inmunodeprimidos, la segunda puede administrarse a cualquier grupo de personas. Los criterios de indicación y de financiación de estas vacunas no han sido uniformes en las diversas comunidades autónomas de España. Estos y otros aspectos sobre HZ han sido discutidos por un grupo de expertos del Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid (ICOMEM) cuyo criterio y opinión recogemos en este trabajo. (AU)