Active shooter in emergency departments in Guanajuato State, Mexico.

Mass violence events, especially in healthcare settings, have devastating consequences and long-lasting effects on the victims and the community. The rate of violent events in Mexico, especially in hospital settings, has increased since 2006, but has become more evident in 2018. Guanajuato State, located in central Mexico, is among the states most affected by the wave of violence, especially active shooter events. The year 2019 had the highest number of incidents. Therefore, the Silver Code and the components of Safe Hospitals, in accordance with the Hartford consensus and PAHO guidelines, were implemented in the hospitals of the Institute of Public Health of the State of Guanajuato, with a focus on the actions of healthcare personnel to prevent collateral damage. Although subsequently there were still fatalities and injuries in the events involving active shooters in the hospitals, there were no casualties among healthcare personnel, according to data from the Institute of Public Health, Guanajuato State. This paper presents information from the data from General Directorate of Epidemiology to describe the hospital mass violence situation in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico and recounts the step taken to effectively manage and prevent these situations moving forward. Specific recommendations based on international consensus and our experience provided include increasing the level of security checks for people entering the hospital premises, training healthcare personnel on violence-related preparedness and improving management of active shooter events consistent with published evidence, to reduce the possibility of casualties.

Exploring the Role and Functionality of Ingredients in Plant-Based Meat Analogue Burgers: A Comprehensive Review.

The development of plant-based meat analogues has become a significant challenge for the food industry in recent years due to the increasing demand for sustainable and healthier proteins in the context of a global protein transition. Plant-based meat analogues imitate the visual, textural, and chemical properties of traditional meat products and are required to closely resemble meat to appeal to consumers. In addition, consumers demand natural, clean-label, and nutritional, and healthy products. To address these challenges, the food industry must develop highly healthy, nutritious, and E-number-free meat analogue products. Understanding the functionality of each ingredient and its role in the food matrix is crucial to being a key player in the innovation of the meat analogue market. This review provides updated information on the primary ingredients utilized for the development of plant-based burger meat alternatives and their functionality. The key components of meat analogue burgers are outlined, including plant proteins, binding agents, fats and oils, flavorings, colorings, preservatives, fortificants, and clean-label considerations.

Evaluating Person-Centred Integrated Care to People with Complex Chronic Conditions: Early Implementation Results of the ProPCC Programme.

Introduction: The evaluation of integrated care programmes for high-need high-cost older people is a challenge. We aim to share the early implementation results of the ProPCC programme in the North-Barcelona metropolitan area, in Catalonia, Spain. Methods: We analysed the intervention with retrospective data from May 2018 to December 2021 by describing the cohort complexity and by showing its 6-months pre-post impact on time spent at home and resources used: primary care visits, emergency department visits, hospital admissions and hospital stay. Findings: 264 cases were included (91% at home; 9% in nursing homes). 6-month pre vs. 6-months post results were (mean, p-value): primary care visits 8.2 vs. 11.5 (p < 0.05); emergency department visits 1.4 vs. 0.9 (p < 0.05); hospital admissions 0.7 vs. 0.5 (p < 0.05); hospital stay 12.8 vs. 7.9 days (p < 0.05). Time spent at home was 169.2 vs.174.2 days (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Early implementation of the ProPCC programme results in an increase in time spent at home (up to 3%) and significant reductions in emergency department attendance (-37.2%) and hospital stays (-38.3%). The increased use of primary care resources is compensated by the hospital resources savings, with a result in the average total cost of -46.3%.

HLA-A*02:1093, a variant of HLA-A*02:01:01:01 detected in two Spanish individuals.

A change in one nucleotide in codon 193 of HLA-A*02:01:01:01 results in the new allele HLA-A*02:1093.

High-Flow Oxygen and Other Noninvasive Respiratory Support Therapies in Bronchiolitis: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analyses.

OBJECTIVES: We present a systematic review on the effectiveness of noninvasive respiratory support techniques in bronchiolitis. DATA SOURCES: Systematic review with pairwise meta-analyses of all studies and network meta-analyses of the clinical trials. STUDY SELECTION: Patients below 24 months old with bronchiolitis who require noninvasive respiratory support were included in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCT, and cohort studies in which high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was compared with conventional low-flow oxygen therapy (LFOT) and/or noninvasive ventilation (NIV). DATA EXTRACTION: Emergency wards and hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 3,367 patients were analyzed in 14 RCTs and 8,385 patients in 14 non-RCTs studies. Only in nonexperimental studies, HFNC is associated with a lower risk of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) than NIV (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.42-0.58), with no differences in experimental studies. There were no differences between HFNC and NIV in other outcomes. HFNC is more effective than LFOT in reducing oxygen days and treatment failure. In the network meta-analyses of clinical trials, NIV was the most effective intervention to avoid invasive MV (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA], 57.03%) and to reduce days under oxygen therapy (SUCRA, 79.42%), although crossover effect estimates between interventions showed no significant differences. The included studies show methodological heterogeneity, but it is only statistically significant for the reduction of days of oxygen therapy and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental evidence does not suggest that high-flow oxygen therapy has advantages over LFOT as initial treatment nor over NIV as a rescue treatment.

Effectiveness of high-flow oxygen therapy in a second-level hospital in bronchiolitis.

INTRODUCTION: To estimate the impact of the incorporation of high-flow nasal cannule (HFNC) in patients admitted with acute bronchiolitis in a hospital without pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohort study with historical control of bronchiolitis in a second-level hospital, before (2009-2012) and after (2015-2020) the implementation of HFNC. The main outcome was the need for admission to the PICU. RESULTS: 301 patients were included. Respiratory syncytial viruses were identified in 64.7% of them and influenza viruses in 0.3%. No differences in age nor comorbility between periods were observed. The average stay was 3.67 days (standard deviation [SE] 2.10) in the first period and 4.00 days (SE 2.35) in the second. Three patients were transferred to UCIP (2.6%) before the availability of HFCN and 13 patients (9.4%) after, which supposed an important increase of the risk (relative risk 3.58; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.04-12.27), although not significant in adjusted analyses (Odds ratio 3.48; IC95% 0.95-12.72). A significant increase in readmission risk was also observed (from 5.3%-13.7%) and a shortening of the time to transfer. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of HFNC was not associated with a lower risk of transfer to PICU nor a shorter length of oxygen therapy. In the absence of evidence, that supports the effectiveness and efficiency of the HFNC and establishes its indications, we must reassess its use.

Sarcopenia and associated factors according to the EWGSOP2 criteria in older people living in nursing homes: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) updated the original definition of sarcopenia, establishing new criteria to be used globally. Early diagnosis of sarcopenia in nursing home residents and the identification of contributing factors would target interventions to reduce the incidence of malnutrition, social isolation, functional decline, hospitalization and mortality. AIM: Verify the prevalence and the degree of severity of sarcopenia according to the new EWSGOP2 criteria and to analyse its associated factors in residents living in nursing homes in Central Catalonia (Spain). DESIGN: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in 4 nursing homes. SARC-F test was applied as the initial screening, muscle strength was measured by a dynamometer, skeletal muscle mass by bioimpedance analysis and physical performance by Gait Speed. Four categories were used: total probable sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia, confirmed sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia. RESULTS: Among the total sample of 104 nursing home residents (mean age 84.6, ± 7.8; median 86, IQR 110), 84.6% were women and 85 (81.7%) (95% confidence interval [CI] 73.0-88.0) had total probable sarcopenia, 63 (60.5%) had probable sarcopenia, 19 (18.3%) had confirmed sarcopenia and 7 (6.7%) had severe sarcopenia. In the bivariate analysis, obesity was negatively associated and total time in sedentary behavior positively associated with all sarcopenia categories. In addition, malnutrition and urinary continence were positively associated with total and probable sarcopenia. Urinary incontinence was a positive associated factor of total and probable sarcopenia. In the multivariate analysis, obesity represented a negative associated factor: OR = 0.13 (0.03 - 0.57), p = 0.007 and OR = 0.14 (0.03 - 0.60), p = 0.008 with total and probable sarcopenia, respectively, adjusted by urinary incontinence status. For confirmed sarcopenia, obesity also represented a negative associated factor OR = 0.06 (0.01 - 0.99), p = 0.049 and the total time in sedentary behavior a positive associated factor OR = 1.10 (1.00- 1.20), p = 0.040. CONCLUSIONS: According the EWGSOP2 criteria, high prevalence of sarcopenia was found in institutionalized older people, ranging from 6.7 to 81.7% depending on the category. Malnutrition, urinary incontinence and total time in sedentary behavior were associated with sarcopenia, whilst obesity represented a protective factor in this population.

Urinary Incontinence and Its Association with Physical and Psycho-Cognitive Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Older People Living in Nursing Homes.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common geriatric syndrome affecting bladder health and is especially prevalent in nursing homes (NHs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of UI and its associated factors in five Spanish NHs. UI (measured with Minimum Data Set 3.0), sociodemographic, and health-related variables were collected. Chi-square (or Fisher's) or Student's t-test (or Mann Whitney U) for bivariate analysis were used, with Prevalence Ratio (PR) as an association measure. The prevalence of UI was 66.1% (CI:95%, 53.6-77.2) in incontinent (n = 45, mean age 84.04, SD = 7.7) and continent (n = 23, mean age 83.00, SD = 7.7) groups. UI was significantly associated with frailty (PR = 1.84; 95%CI 0.96-3.53), faecal incontinence (PR = 1.65; 95%CI 1.02-2.65), anxiety (PR = 1.64; 95%CI 1.01-2.66), physical performance (PR = 1.77; 95%CI 1.00-3.11), and cognitive state (PR = 1.95; 95%CI 1.05-3.60). Statistically significant differences were found between incontinent and continent NH residents for limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, quality of life, sedentary behaviour, and handgrip strength. It can be concluded that two out of three of the residents experienced UI, and significant associated factors were mainly physical (sedentary behaviour, frailty, physical performance, ADL limitations, mobility, faecal incontinence, and handgrip strength) followed by psycho-cognitive factors (cognition, anxiety, and quality of life).

Genital Prolapse in Pregnant Woman as a Presentation of Aggressive Angiomyxoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare entity within mesenchymal cell neoplasms, especially in pregnant women. Its main characteristic is the ability to infiltrate neighboring structures and to recur. Case Presentation: We present the case of a pregnant woman who debuted with a genital prolapse in the second trimester of pregnancy. She was diagnosed with bilateral ovarian teratomas and a pelvic mass of which the diagnosis could not be established until delivery. The route of delivery used was cesarean section since the genital prolapse behaved as a previous tumor. After the puerperium, the patient was referred for consultation to complete the study of the mass. The extension study was carried out with a negative result. The patient underwent surgery for tumor exeresis. Hormonal treatment was not administered according to the patient's preferences. Conclusions: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a benign neoplasm that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic tumors in women. In pregnant women, the vaginal route of delivery is not contraindicated as long as the tumor does not obstruct the birth canal. The definitive treatment is surgery, preferably performed in a second stage after delivery.

Urinary incontinence and sedentary behaviour in nursing home residents in Osona, Catalonia: protocol for the OsoNaH project, a multicentre observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have shown that physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour (SB) are independent risk factors for many health-related issues. However, there is scarce evidence supporting the relationship between SB and urinary incontinence (UI) in community-dwelling older adults, and no information on any possible association in institutionalised older adults. Stage I of this project has the main objective of determining the prevalence of UI and its associated factors in nursing home (NH) residents, as well as analysing the association between UI (and its types) and SB. Stage II aims to investigate the incidence and predictive factors of functional and continence decline, falls, hospitalisations, mortality and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among NH residents. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Stage I is an observational, multicentre, cross-sectional study with mixed methodology that aims to explore the current status of several health-related outcomes in NH residents of Osona (Barcelona, Spain). The prevalence ratio will be used as an association measure and multivariate analysis will be undertaken using Poisson regression with robust variance. Stage II is a 2-year longitudinal study that aims to analyse functional and continence decline, incidence of falls, hospitalisations, mortality and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these outcomes. A survival analysis using the actuarial method for functional decline and continence, evaluated every 6 months, and the Kaplan-Meier method for falls, hospitalisations and deaths, and Cox regression for multivariate analysis will be undertaken. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study received the following approvals: University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia Ethics and Research Committee (92/2019 and 109/2020), Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Osona Foundation for Health Research and Education (FORES) (code 2020118/PR249). Study results will be disseminated at conferences, meetings and through peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04297904.

[Malnutrition prevalence at admission to Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado, Talavera de la Reina]. / Prevalencia de la desnutrición al ingreso en los pacientes del Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado, Talavera de la Reina.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: malnutrition is a global problem. In developed countries, malnutrition due to alterations in the population's eating habits or the presence of disease cannot be ignored, and affects hospitalized patients in particular. Objective: to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk upon admission to Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain). Methods: this was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study. From September 2017 to October 2018 all patients admitted to hospital who met the selection criteria were assessed for nutritional status using the NRS-2002® test. Anthropometric and clinical data were collected from patients at nutritional risk (NRS-2002® score ≥ 3). The malnutrition observed was diagnosed according to type and severity, and nutritional indications were given, which were recorded in the report to the clinician and in the discharge report. Results: a total of 476 patients took the NRS-2002® test, which detected risk of malnutrition upon admission in 137 (28.8 %; 95 % CI: 24.8 % to 33.0 %). Average BMI (SD) was 24.6 (5.4) kg/m2. The dietitian-nutritionist recommended nutritional supplementation for 78.4 % of patients, and coding of nutritional status (ICD-10) for 82.1 %. In the discharge report, more than 70 % of these recommendations were omitted. Conclusions: in all, 28.8 % of the patients analyzed were at risk of malnutrition or undernourished on admission. Hospital malnutrition continues to be a problem, so it is vitally important that screening methods be included at admission to allow early nutritional intervention in hospitalized patients, and that trained healthcare personnel be incorporated to this end.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la malnutrición es un problema global. En los países desarrollados no puede ignorarse la desnutrición debida a las alteraciones en los hábitos alimentarios de la población o a la presencia de enfermedades, lo que afecta de forma destacable a los pacientes hospitalizados. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia del riesgo de desnutrición al ingreso en el Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado de Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, España). Métodos: estudio observacional, transversal y descriptivo. Desde septiembre de 2017 a octubre de 2018, a todos los pacientes que ingresaban en el hospital y cumplían los criterios de selección se les realizó un cribado nutricional mediante el test NRS-2002®. Se recogieron datos antropométricos y clínicos de los pacientes en riesgo nutricional (puntuación NRS-2002® ≥ 3). Se diagnosticó la desnutrición observada según su tipología y gravedad, emitiendo indicaciones nutricionales recogidas en el informe al clínico y en el informe al alta. Resultados: en total, 476 pacientes realizaron el test NRS-2002®, detectándose riesgo de desnutrición al ingreso en 137 (28,8 %; IC 95 %: 24,8 % a 33,0 %). El IMC promedio (DE) de estos fue de 24,6 (5,4) kg/m2. La dietista-nutricionista recomendó al 78,4 % de los pacientes una suplementación nutricional, y en el 82,1 % de los casos la codificación del estado nutricional (CIE-10). En el informe de alta se omitieron más del 70 % de estas recomendaciones. Conclusiones: el 28,8 % de los pacientes analizados estaban en riesgo de desnutrición o desnutridos al ingreso. La desnutrición hospitalaria continúa siendo un problema en la actualidad, por lo que resulta de vital importancia incluir métodos de cribado al ingreso que permitan una intervención nutricional precoz en el paciente hospitalizado, así como la incorporación de personal sanitario formado para su realización.

Impact of previous admission to an intensive care unit on stem cell transplantation outcome.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of an admission to ICU before stem cell transplantation (SCT) on post-SCT outcome is not well established. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who had received a first SCT between 2000 and 2016 in our institution. The outcome of 22 patients who required ICU admission during chemotherapy prior to SCT (ICU group) was compared with 44 matched patients (1:2) who did not need it (NO-ICU group). RESULTS: There were no differences in transplant complications, in time to neutrophil and platelet recovery or in the length of hospital stay during SCT between the ICU and NO-ICU groups. However, microbiologically documented infections were more common in the ICU group (16/20) than in the NO-ICU group (18/39) (p=.027). The 5-yr overall survival probability (CI 95%) was 49% (28-70%) in the ICU vs. 45% (29-61%) in the NO-ICU group (p=.353), while the 5-yr incidence of non-relapse mortality was 32% (14-52%) and 24% (12-38%) (p=.333), respectively. Six patients (27%) in the ICU group and 8 (18%) in the NO-ICU group required admission to the ICU during or after the SCT procedure (p=.293). Twelve (54%) patients in the ICU and 22 (50%) in the NO-ICU group died, the causes of death were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our results show that admission to the ICU prior to SCT does not have a negative impact on patient outcomes following SCT and should not be considered as an exclusion criterion for SCT.

Assessment of out-of-field doses in radiotherapy treatments of paediatric patients using Monte Carlo methods and measurements.

PURPOSE: To assess out-of-field doses in radiotherapy treatments of paediatric patients, using Monte Carlo methods to implement a new model of the linear accelerator validated against measurements and developing a voxelized anthropomorphic paediatric phantom. METHODS: CT images of a physical anthropomorphic paediatric phantom were acquired and a dosimetric planning using a TPS was obtained. The CT images were used to perform the voxelization of the physical phantom using the ImageJ software and later implemented in MCNP. In order to validate the Monte Carlo model, dose measurements of the 6 MV beam and Linac with 120 MLC were made in a clinical setting, using ionization chambers and a water phantom. Afterwards TLD measurements in the physical anthropomorphic phantom were performed in order to assess the out-of-field doses in the eyes, thyroid, c-spine, heart and lungs. RESULTS: The Monte Carlo model was validated for in-field and out-of-field doses with average relative differences below 3%. The average relative differences between TLD measurements and Monte Carlo is 14,3% whilst the average relative differences between TLD and TPS is 55,8%. Moreover, organs up to 22.5 cm from PTV center show TLD and MCNP6 relative differences and TLD and TPS relative differences up to 21.2% and 92.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a novel model that could be used in clinical research, namely in dose evaluation outside the treatment fields. This is particularly relevant, especially in pediatric patients, for studying new radiotherapy treatment techniques, since it can be used to estimate the development of secondary tumours.

RELINF: prospective epidemiological registry of lymphoid neoplasms in Spain. A project from the GELTAMO group.

Lymphomas are a large, heterogeneous group of neoplasms with well-defined characteristics, and this heterogeneity highlights the importance of epidemiological data. Knowledge of local epidemiology is essential to optimise resources, design clinical trials, and identify minority entities. Given there are few published epidemiological data on lymphoma in Spain, the Spanish Lymphoma and Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant Group created the RELINF project. The aim of this project is to determine the frequencies and distribution of lymphoid neoplasms in Spain and to analyse survival. We developed an online platform for the prospective collection of data on newly diagnosed cases of lymphoma in Spain between January 2014 and July 2018; 11,400 patients were registered. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) were the most frequent lymphomas in our series. Marginal B cell lymphoma frequency was higher than that reported in other studies, representing more than 11% of mature B cell lymphomas. Peripheral T cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) was the most common subtype of T cell lymphoma, and NK/T cell lymphomas were more frequent than expected (5.4% of total). Hodgkin's lymphoma accounted for 12% of lymphoproliferative syndromes. Overall survival was greater than 90% at 2 years for indolent B cell lymphomas, and approximately 60% for DLBCL, somewhat lower than that previously reported. Survival was poor for PTCL-NOS and angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma, as expected; however, it was somewhat better than that in other studies for anaplastic large cell anaplastic lymphoma kinase lymphomas. This is the first prospective registry to report the frequencies, distribution, and survival of lymphomas in Spain. The frequencies and survival data we report here are globally consistent with that reported in other Western countries. These updated frequencies and survival statistics are necessary for developing appropriate management strategies for neoplasias in the Spanish population.

AFM Manipulation of Gold Nanowires To Build Electrical Circuits.

We introduce scanning-probe-assisted nanowire circuitry (SPANC) as a new method to fabricate electrodes for the characterization of electrical transport properties at the nanoscale. SPANC uses an atomic force microscope (AFM) to manipulate nanowires to create complex and highly conductive nanostructures (paths) that work as nanoelectrodes, allowing connectivity and electrical characterization of other nano-objects. The paths are formed by the spontaneous cold welding of gold nanowires upon mechanical contact, leading to an excellent contact resistance of ∼9 Ω/junction. SPANC is an easy to use and cost-effective technique that fabricates clean nanodevices. Hence, this new method can complement and/or be an alternative to other well-established methods to fabricate nanocircuits such as electron beam lithography (EBL). The circuits made by SPANC are easily reconfigurable, and their fabrication does not require the use of polymers and chemicals. In this work, we present a few examples that illustrate the capabilities of this method, allowing robust device fabrication and electrical characterization of several nano-objects with sizes down to ∼10 nm, well below the current smallest size able to be contacted in a device using the standard available technology (∼30 nm). Importantly, we also provide the first experimental determination of the sheet resistance of thin antimonene flakes.

Identification of the DRB4*01:03:01:02N null allele with HLA-DRB1*04 in a Spanish donor.

The association between the DRB4*01:03:01:02N null allele and the HLA-DRB1*07~DQB1*03:03 haplotype has often been reported. Nevertheless, more unusual associations have also been found in other countries, such as its association with HLA-DRB1*04. HLA class I and II antigen typing is currently performed using DNA-based methods, making it more difficult to identify null alleles than if serological methods were used. Furthermore, the DRB3/4/5 loci are not usually studied. However, the identification of non-expressed HLA alleles is of great importance for transplantation so it is necessary to identify HLA antigen associations with null alleles and report these findings. In this paper, we describe the association of DRB4*01:03:01:02N null allele with DRB1*04 for the first time in Spain.

Life expectancy of follicular lymphoma patients in complete response at 30 months is similar to that of the Spanish general population.

The use of immunochemotherapy has improved the outcome of follicular lymphoma (FL). Recently, complete response at 30 months (CR30) has been suggested as a surrogate for progression-free survival. This study aimed to analyse the life expectancy of FL patients according to their status at 30 months from the start of treatment in comparison with the sex and age-matched Spanish general population (relative survival; RS). The training series comprised 263 patients consecutively diagnosed with FL in a 10-year period who needed therapy and were treated with rituximab-containing regimens. An independent cohort of 693 FL patients from the Grupo Español de Linfomas y Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea (GELTAMO) group was used for validation. In the training cohort, 188 patients were in CR30, with a 10-year overall survival (OS) of 53% and 87% for non-CR30 and CR30 patients, respectively. Ten-year RS was 73% and 100%, showing no decrease in life expectancy for CR30 patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that the FL International Prognostic Index was the most important variable predicting OS in the CR30 group. The impact of CR30 status on RS was validated in the independent GELTAMO series. In conclusion, FL patients treated with immunochemotherapy who were in CR at 30 months showed similar survival to a sex- and age-matched Spanish general population.

Plasma Epstein-Barr Virus Load as an Early Biomarker and Prognostic Factor of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-related Lymphomas.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in lymphomagenesis and can be found infecting tumor cells and in plasma at lymphoma diagnosis, especially in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of plasma EBV load as biomarker and prognostic factor in HIV-positive patients with lymphomas. METHODS: EBV loads were measured by polymerase chain reaction in plasma samples of 81 HIV-positive patients' lymphomas at different moments: within 1 year before lymphoma diagnosis, at diagnosis, and at complete response (CR). Control samples included HIV-negative patients with lymphomas and HIV-positive patients without neoplasia or opportunistic infections. RESULTS: HIV-positive patients with lymphomas had more frequently-detectable EBV load at lymphoma diagnosis (53%) than either HIV-negative patients with the same lymphoma type (16%; P < .001) or HIV-positive individuals without neoplasia or opportunistic infection (1.2%; P < .001). HIV-positive lymphoma patients with detectable EBV load in plasma at lymphoma diagnosis had statistically significant decrease of EBV load at CR. High EBV load (>5000 copies/mL) at lymphoma diagnosis was an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival and progression-free survival in HIV-positive patients with lymphomas. Detectable plasma EBV loads identified HIV-positive subjects that would eventually develop lymphoma (area under the curve, 82%; 95% CI: 0.67-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma EBV load can be used as a biomarker and as a prognostic factor in HIV-positive patients with lymphomas. The presence of the EBV load in the plasma of an HIV-positive patient can be an early predictor of lymphoma development.