Asthma and COVID-19 among healthcare workers from a Mexican Hospital: is there an association?

Background: Asthma does not appear to be a risk factor for developing COVID-19. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the role of asthma as a factor associated with COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HW). Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in HW from a Mexican hospital. Data were obtained through an epidemiological survey that included age, sex, and history of COVID-19. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with COVID-19. Results: In total, 2295 HW were included (63.1% women; mean age 39.1 years); and 1550 (67.5%) were medical personnel. The prevalence of asthma in HW with COVID-19 was 8.3%; for the group without COVID-19, the prevalence was 5.3% (p = 0.011). The multivariate analyses suggested that asthma was associated with COVID-19 (OR 1.59, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our study suggests that asthma could be a factor associated with COVID-19 in HW.

Incidencia y factores asociados con las reacciones adversas tras la primera dosis de la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech en trabajadores de la salud.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of adverse reactions (AR) after the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and to identify some factors associated with AR. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Data were obtained through an epidemiological survey answered online. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with early (< 2 h) and late (≥ 2 h) AR. RESULTS: A total of 2295 health care workers were included; in them, the cumulative incidence of AR was 18.2% (95% confidence interval: 16.6-19.8), where the majority were late (78.2%). The associated factors that increased the risk of early AR were being female (odds ratio [OR]: 2.23, p = 0.002) and belonging to the medical staff (OR: 1.56; p = 0.041). In late AR were being female (OR: 1.94; p < 0.0001); on the other hand, diabetes (OR: 0.46; p = 0.021), asthma (OR: 0.53; p = 0.040) and smoking (OR: 0.44, p = 0.002) were inversely associated factors. Interestingly, history of COVID-19 was not associated with either early or late AR. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of presenting some type of AR due to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in health care workers is < 20%.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la incidencia de reacciones adversas (RA) tras la primera dosis de la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech e identificar algunos factores asociados con ellas. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva. Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante una encuesta epidemiológica contestada en línea. Se realizaron análisis multivariados para identificar factores asociados con las RA tempranas (< 2 h) y tardías (≥ 2 h). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 2295 trabajadores de la salud; en ellos, la incidencia acumulada de RA fue del 18.2% (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 16.6-19.8%) y la mayoría fueron tardías (78.2%). Las RA tempranas más frecuentes fueron dolor local, cefalea y mareo; en las tardías fueron dolor local, cefalea y fatiga. No se documentaron casos de anafilaxia; sin embargo, en el grupo de RA tempranas y tardías hubo un caso y tres casos, respectivamente, con síntomas sistémicos que afectaron a dos órganos diferentes. Los factores asociados que incrementaron el riesgo de RA tempranas fueron ser mujer (odds ratio [OR]: 2.23; p = 0.002) y pertenecer al personal médico (OR: 1.56; p = 0.041). En las RA tardías fue ser mujer (OR: 1.94; p < 0.0001); por su parte, la diabetes (OR: 0.46; p = 0.021), el asma (OR: 0.53; p = 0.040) y el tabaquismo (OR: 0.44; p = 0.002) fueron factores asociados inversamente. Es interesante que la historia de COVID-19 no se asoció con RA tempranas ni tardías. CONCLUSIONES: El riesgo de presentar algún tipo de RA debido a la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech en trabajadores de la salud es < 20%.

Asthma and COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers from a Mexican Hospital: Is There an Association?

ABSTRACT Background: Asthma does not appear to be a risk factor for developing COVID-19. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the role of asthma as a factor associated with COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HW). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in HW from a Mexican hospital. Data were obtained through an epidemiological survey that included age, sex, and history of COVID-19. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with COVID-19. Results: In total, 2295 HW were included (63.1% women; mean age 39.1 years); and 1550 (67.5%) were medical personnel. The prevalence of asthma in HW with COVID-19 was 8.3%; for the group without COVID-19, the prevalence was 5.3% (p = 0.011). The multivariate analyses suggested that asthma was associated with COVID-19 (OR 1.59, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our study suggests that asthma could be a factor associated with COVID-19 in HW.

Orchid Diversity of the Palizada-del Este Fluvial Deltaic Lagoon System, in the Area de Protectión de Flora y Fauna Laguna de Términos, Campeche, Mexico / Diversidad de orquídeas del sistema fluvio lagunar deltaico palizada-del este, en el área de protección de flora y fauna laguna de términos, campeche, méxico

RESUMEN Se contribuye al conocimiento de la diversidad florística de la familia Orchidaceae presente en el sistema fluvio-lagunar-deltaico Palizada-del Este (SFLD-PE) a partir de los datos obtenidos de 15 recolectas realizadas en diez sitios, durante agosto 2013 a febrero 2014. El listado incluye 27 especies en 17 géneros. Ocho especies son nuevos registros para el SFLD-PE: Bletia purpurea, Catasetum integerrimum, Habenaria pringlei, H. repens, Laelia (Schomburgkia) rubescens, Myrmecophila tibicinis, Ornithocephalus inflexus y Rhetinantha friedrichsthalii. Los géneros con el mayor número de especies son Epidendrum (4) y Prosthechea (4). En lo que respecta al hábito de crecimiento, 23 especies son epífitas (85 %), tres especies son terrestres o semiacuáticas (12 %) y una especie es exclusivamente terrestre (3 %). Las especies mejor representadas en los sitios son Brassavola grandiflora (8), Bletia purpurea (7) y Habenaria repens (6). Los hospederos con mayor número de especies son Pachira aquatica (20) y Zygia latifolia (7). Epidendrum isthmi fue la única especie que se encuentra en alguna categoría de riesgo, de acuerdo a la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. Diversas acciones antrópicas inciden negativamente en el SFLD-PE: deforestación, incendios y apertura de canales de agua provocan el deterioro y fragmentación de los hábitats, lo que pone en peligro el futuro de este grupo taxonómico y de otros grupos de plantas, por lo que el conocimiento de la biodiversidad de esta área es necesario para establecer estrategias de conservación, restauración y manejo sustentable.

ABSTRACT This paper is a contribution to the knowledge of the diversity of Orchidaceae in the Palizada del Este (SFLD-PE) fluvial-lagoon-deltic system based upon data generated from 15 collection events at ten sites conducted August 2012 through February 2014. The checklist includes 27 species in 17 genera. Eight species are new records for the SFLD-PE: Bletia purpurea, Catasetum integerrimum, Habenaria pringlei, H. repens, Laelia (Schomburgkia) rubescens, Myrmecophila tibicinis, Ornithocephalus inflexus, and Rhetinantha friedrichsthalii. The genera with the largest number of species are Epidendrum (4) and Prosthechea (4). As regards to life form, 23 species are epiphytic (85 %), three species are terrestrial or semiaquatic (12 %), and one species is terrestrial (3 %). The species present in more sites are Brassavola grandiflora (8), Bletia purpurea (7), and Habenaria repens (6). The hosts with the largest number of species are Pachira aquatica (20) and Zygia latifolia (7). Epidendrum isthmi is found in a risk category according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. Several anthropic actions negatively affect the SFLD-PE: deforestation, fires, and open water channels lead to deterioration and fragmentation of habitats, which threatens the future of this taxonomic group as well as that of other groups of plants. Thus, knowledge of the biodiversity of this area is necessary for developing sound strategies for conservation, restoration, and sustainable management.