Spatial Relationship between a Regional Outbreak and a Higher-than-Expected Incidence of Leishmaniasis in Urban Southern Madrid, Spain.

The largest outbreak of human leishmaniasis in Europe took place in Fuenlabrada, Spain, between 2009 and 2017. The University Hospital "12 de Octubre" in Madrid serves the population residing in three districts of Madrid located just north of the outbreak area (Villaverde, Usera, and Carabanchel). Villaverde and Usera are connected by rail to the outbreak area, unlike Carabanchel. We performed a retrospective study including all cases of leishmaniasis diagnosed between 2011 and 2020. Fifty-one cases were documented. In the districts connected by rail to the outbreak area, a higher-than-expected incidence was observed (13.45-15.55 versus 5.2 per 100,000 inhabitants). Apart from the linear distance from the place of residence to the railway tracks, no differences in terms of demographics or risk factors were detected between the populations of the districts. We hypothesize that the direct connection with the outbreak area by rail could explain the higher incidence observed in Villaverde and Usera.

Fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis: fast detection of the Y132F ERG11p substitution, and a proposed microsatellite genotyping scheme.

OBJECTIVES: We propose fast and accurate molecular detection of the Y132F ERG11p substitution directly on pure-cultured Candida parapsilosis isolates. We also assessed a discriminative genotyping scheme to track circulating genotypes. METHODS: A total of 223 C. parapsilosis isolates (one patient each) from 20 hospitals, located in Spain and Italy were selected. Isolates were fluconazole-resistant (n = 94; harbouring the Y132F ERG11p substitution [n = 85], the G458S substitution [n = 6], the R398I substitution [n = 2], or the wild-type ERG11 gene sequence) or fluconazole-susceptible (n = 129). Two targeted-A395T-mutation PCR formats (conventional and real-time) were engineered and optimized on fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant pure-cultured isolates, thus skipping DNA extraction. Two genotyping schemes were compared: Scheme 1 (CP1, CP4a, CP6, and B markers), and Scheme 2 (6A, 6B, 6C, CP1, CP4a, and CP6 markers). RESULTS: The screening performed using both PCR formats showed 100% specificity (fluconazole-susceptible isolates; n = 129/129) and sensitivity (Y132F isolates; n = 85/85) values; however, results were available in 3 and 1.5 hours with the conventional and real-time PCR formats, respectively. Overall, Scheme 1 showed higher genetic diversity than Scheme 2, as shown by the number of alleles detected (n = 98; mean 23, range 13-38), the significantly higher observed and expected heterozygosity, and the probability of identity index (2.5 × 10-6). Scheme 2 markers did not provide further genotypic discrimination of Y132F fluconazole-resistant genotypes. CONCLUSION: Both proposed PCR formats allow us to speed up the accurate detection of substitution Y132F ERG11p in C. parapsilosis isolates with 100% specificity and sensitivity. In addition, we recommend CP1, CP4a, CP6, and B microsatellite markers for genotyping fluconazole-resistant isolates.

Fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis genotypes from hospitals located in five Spanish cities and one in Italy: Description of azole-resistance profiles associated with the Y132F ERG11p substitution.

BACKGROUND: Fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis is a matter of concern. OBJECTIVES: To describe fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes circulating across hospitals in Spain and Rome and to study their azole-resistance profile associated with ERG11p substitutions. PATIENTS/METHODS: We selected fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates (n = 528 from 2019 to 2023; MIC ≥8 mg/L according to EUCAST) from patients admitted to 13 hospitals located in five Spanish cities and Rome. Additionally, we tested voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole, amphotericin B, micafungin, anidulafungin and ibrexafungerp susceptibility. RESULTS: Of the 53 genotypes found, 49 harboured the Y132F substitution, five of which were dominating city-specific genotypes involving almost half the isolates. Another genotype involved isolates harbouring the G458S substitution. Finally, we found two genotypes with the wild-type ERG11 gene sequence and one with the R398I substitution. All isolates were fully susceptible/wild-type to amphotericin B, anidulafungin, micafungin and ibrexafungerp. The azole-resistance patterns found were: voriconazole-resistant (74.1%) or voriconazole-intermediate (25.2%), posaconazole-resistant (10%) and isavuconazole non-wild-type (47.5%). Fluconazole-resistant and voriconazole non-wild-type isolates were likely to harbour substitution Y132F if posaconazole was wild type; however, if posaconazole was non-wild type, substitution G458S was indicated if isavuconazole MIC was >0.125 mg/L or substitution Y132F if isavuconazole MIC was ≤0.125 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a recent clonal spread of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis across some cities in Spain, mostly driven by dominating city-specific genotypes, which involved a large number of isolates harbouring the Y132F ERG11p substitution. Isolates harbouring substitution Y132F can be suspected because they are non-susceptible to voriconazole and rarely posaconazole-resistant.

Malaria diagnosis using a combined system of a simple and fast extraction method with a lyophilised Dual-LAMP assay in a non-endemic setting.

Malaria is a parasitic disease distributed in tropical areas but with a high number of imported cases in non-endemic countries. The most specific and sensitive malaria diagnostic methods are PCR and LAMP. However, both require specific equipment, extraction procedures and a cold chain. This study aims to solve some limitations of LAMP method with the optimization and validation of six LAMP assays, genus and species-specific, using an easy and fast extraction method, the incorporation of a reaction control assay, two ways (Dual) of result reading and reagent lyophilization. The Dual-LAMP assays were validated against the Nested-Multiplex Malaria PCR. A conventional column and saline extraction methods, and the use of lyophilized reaction tubes were also assessed. A new reaction control Dual-LAMP-RC assay was designed. Dual-LAMP-Pspp assay showed no cross-reactivity with other parasites, repeatability and reproducibility of 100%, a significant correlation between parasite concentration and time to amplification and a LoD of 1.22 parasites/µl and 5.82 parasites/µl using column and saline extraction methods, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the six Dual-LAMP assays reach values of 100% or close to this, being lower for the Dual-LAMP-Pm. The Dual-LAMP-RC assay worked as expected. Lyophilized Dual-LAMP results were concordant with the reference method. Dual-LAMP malaria assays with the addition of a new reaction control LAMP assay and the use of a fast and easy saline extraction method, provided low limit of detection, no cross-reactivity, and good sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, the reagent lyophilization and the dual result reading allow their use in most settings.

Trends in antifungal resistance in Candida from a multicenter study conducted in Madrid (CANDIMAD study): fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis spreading has gained traction in 2022.

We previously conducted a multicenter surveillance study on Candida epidemiology and antifungal resistance in Madrid (CANDIMAD study; 2019-2021), detecting an increase in fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis. We here present data on isolates collected in 2022. Furthermore, we report the epidemiology and antifungal resistance trends during the entire period, including an analysis per ward of admission. Candida spp. incident isolates from blood cultures and intra-abdominal samples from patients cared for at 16 hospitals in Madrid, Spain, were tested with the EUCAST E.Def 7.3.2 method against amphotericin B, azoles, micafungin, anidulafungin, and ibrexafungerp and were molecularly characterized. In 2022, we collected 766 Candida sp. isolates (686 patients; blood cultures, 48.8%). Candida albicans was the most common species found, and Candida auris was undetected. No resistance to amphotericin B was found. Overall, resistance to echinocandins was low (0.7%), whereas fluconazole resistance was 12.0%, being higher in blood cultures (16.0%) mainly due to fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis clones harboring the Y132F-R398I ERG11p substitutions. Ibrexafungerp showed in vitro activity against the isolates tested. Whereas C. albicans was the dominant species in most hospital wards, we observed increasing C. parapsilosis proportions in blood. During the entire period, echinocandin resistance rates remained steadily low, while fluconazole resistance increased in blood from 6.8% (2019) to 16% (2022), mainly due to fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis (2.6% in 2019 to 36.6% in 2022). Up to 7 out of 16 hospitals were affected by fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis. In conclusion, rampant clonal spreading of C. parapsilosis fluconazole-resistant genotypes is taking place in Madrid.

Prevalence of Chagas disease in Latin American pregnant women in Madrid, Spain: A multicentre cross-sectional study from 2011 to 2016.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess Trypanosoma cruzi infection prevalence among pregnant migrants living in Madrid according to the country of origin and to assess screening coverage in this at-risk population. METHODS: Retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study conducted from January 2011 to December 2016 in eight Madrid hospitals. Each hospital reviewed their microbiology data records to assess the screening coverage and serological diagnosis in all pregnant women coming from endemic areas. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2016, 149,470 deliveries were attended at the eight hospitals, and 11,048 pregnant women were screened for Chagas disease. Most cases (93.5%) were in women from Bolivia, who also showed the highest prevalence (12.4%, 95% confidence interval: 9.9-15.0). Pooled prevalence amongst the screened women was 2.9% (95% CI: 1.8-4.1). Chagas disease screening coverage varied greatly between centres, with a pooled mean coverage of 47% (95% CI: 37%-57%; 73% [95% CI: 63%-82%] for those centres with universal screening vs. 10% [95% CI: 6%-15%] for those with a selective screening approach; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study provides useful data for policy makers and epidemiologists in a non-endemic area without congenital Chagas screening programmes.

Enhancing screening adherence for strongyloides infection in latinx inpatients with COVID-19: a local protocol implementation study.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome has been observed in immunosuppressed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Detecting and treating asymptomatic Strongyloides infection in individuals from endemic areas can effectively prevent hyperinfection. Unfortunately, many clinicians are unaware of this neglected infection. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether including Strongyloides screening in COVID-19 management protocols would encourage this practice. To accomplish this, we conducted a retrospective single-center study at 'Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre' in Madrid, Spain, comparing two consecutive cohorts. The first cohort comprised all Latinx patients over 18 years old who were admitted for COVID-19 between March 1st and April 30th, 2020. The second cohort consisted of Latinx patients admitted between July 1st and December 31st, 2020, following an amendment to the COVID-19 management protocol that recommended screening for strongyloidiasis in at-risk patients. We identified 559 and 795 patients in the first and second periods, respectively. The percentage of individuals screened increased significantly from 8.8% to 51.6% after the screening recommendation was included in the protocol (odds ratio [OR] 11.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.01-15.33). In both periods, the screening rate was significantly higher among those receiving immunosuppression than those who did not receive steroids and/or tocilizumab. No other factors influenced the screening rate. In conclusion, including strongyloidiasis screening recommendations in COVID-19 management protocols led to its increased implementation. However, the overall screening rate remained low, emphasizing the need for further efforts to enhance screening practices.

Antifungal resistance in Candida spp within the intra-abdominal cavity: study of resistance acquisition in patients with serial isolates.

OBJECTIVES: Antifungal susceptibility testing is mostly conducted on blood-cultured Candida spp isolates. Because the intra-abdominal cavity has been highlighted as a hidden echinocandin-resistant C. glabrata reservoir, we assessed whether testing sequential isolates from a given patient might increase the chances of detecting antifungal resistance. METHODS: Intra-abdominal initial and sequential isolates from the same species from patients included in the CANDIdaemia in MADrid study (January 2019 to June 2022) were studied. We assessed antifungal susceptibility to amphotericin B, azoles, anidulafungin, micafungin, and ibrexafungerp using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) methodology and molecularly characterized resistant isolates. RESULTS: We collected 308 isolates (C. albicans [n = 179/308; 58.1%], C. glabrata [n = 101/308; 32.8%], C. tropicalis [n = 17/308; 5.5%], and C. parapsilosis [n = 11/308; 3.6%]) from 112 patients distributed as incident (n = 125/308) and sequential (n = 183/308). Per patient resistance rates of fluconazole (13.4% [15/112] vs. 8% [9/112]); 5.4% proportions difference (95% CI, -2.7% to 13.5%, p 0.09) and echinocandins (8.9% [10/112] vs. 1.8% [2/112]); 7.1% proportions difference (95% CI; 1.2-12.9%; p 0.01) were higher when considering all available isolates than only incident isolates. Resistance was detected in 18 of 112 patients and would have been overlooked in 11 of 18 (61.1%) patients if only incident isolates had been studied. Of the patients who harboured fluconazole or echinocandin-resistant isolates, 14 of 15 and 8 of 10 had received or were receiving fluconazole or echinocandins, respectively. DISCUSSION: Testing sequential Candida isolates from intra-abdominal samples is required to detect antifungal resistance, particularly to echinocandins, in patients whose incident isolates turned out to be susceptible. Furthermore, patients with echinocandin-resistant infections had frequently used echinocandins and had common secondary resistance acquisition.

Correction: Díaz-García et al. Candida Genotyping of Blood Culture Isolates from Patients Admitted to 16 Hospitals in Madrid: Genotype Spreading during the COVID-19 Pandemic Driven by Fluconazole-Resistant C. parapsilosis. J. Fungi 2022, 8, 1228.

In the original publication [...].

Candida Genotyping of Blood Culture Isolates from Patients Admitted to 16 Hospitals in Madrid: Genotype Spreading during the COVID-19 Pandemic Driven by Fluconazole-Resistant C. parapsilosis.

BACKGROUND: Candidaemia and invasive candidiasis are typically hospital-acquired. Genotyping isolates from patients admitted to different hospitals may be helpful in tracking clones spreading across hospitals, especially those showing antifungal resistance. METHODS: We characterized Candida clusters by studying Candida isolates (C. albicans, n = 1041; C. parapsilosis, n = 354, and C. tropicalis, n = 125) from blood cultures (53.8%) and intra-abdominal samples (46.2%) collected as part of the CANDIMAD (Candida in Madrid) study in Madrid (2019-2021). Species-specific microsatellite markers were used to define the genotypes of Candida spp. found in a single patient (singleton) or several patients (cluster) from a single hospital (intra-hospital cluster) or different hospitals (widespread cluster). RESULTS: We found 83 clusters, of which 20 were intra-hospital, 49 were widespread, and 14 were intra-hospital and widespread. Some intra-hospital clusters were first detected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of clusters increased during the pandemic, especially for C. parapsilosis. The proportion of widespread clusters was significantly higher for genotypes found in both compartments than those exclusively found in either the blood cultures or intra-abdominal samples. Most C. albicans- and C. tropicalis-resistant genotypes were singleton and presented exclusively in either blood cultures or intra-abdominal samples. Fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates belonged to intra-hospital clusters harboring either the Y132F or G458S ERG11p substitutions; the dominant genotype was also widespread. CONCLUSIONS: the number of clusters-and patients involved-increased during the COVID-19 pandemic mainly due to the emergence of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA).

COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) have been documented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of these patients do not meet the classic EORTC/MSGERC criteria for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The question arises as to whether there may have been an over-diagnosis of this disease. Here we review our experience and analyze the evolution of 27 patients who were diagnosed with CAPA during hospital admission. Surviving patients were followed-up for a mean time of 15 months (SD 3.78) by a group of experts and clinical records of diseased patients were reviewed. After expert evaluation and follow-up, 10 patients were finally assumed as CAPA according to expert opinion. These cases represent 40% of the initially CAPA assumed cases. Our data suggest the need to reconsider actual diagnosis criteria for CAPA what could drive to better identification of these patients.

Blood and intra-abdominal Candida spp. from a multicentre study conducted in Madrid using EUCAST: emergence of fluconazole resistance in Candida parapsilosis, low echinocandin resistance and absence of Candida auris.

OBJECTIVES: We prospectively monitored the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. from blood cultures and intra-abdominal samples in patients admitted to hospitals in the Madrid area. METHODS: Between 2019 and 2021, we prospectively collected incident isolates [one per species, patient and compartment (blood cultures versus intra-abdominal samples)] from patients admitted to any of 16 hospitals located in Madrid. We studied the antifungal susceptibilities to amphotericin B, triazoles, micafungin, anidulafungin and ibrexafungerp following the EUCAST E.Def 7.3.2 procedure. RESULTS: A total of 2107 Candida spp. isolates (1895 patients) from blood cultures (51.7%) and intra-abdominal samples were collected. Candida albicans, the Candida glabrata complex, the Candida parapsilosis complex, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei accounted for 96.9% of the isolates; in contrast, Candida auris was undetected. Fluconazole resistance in Candida spp. was higher in blood cultures than in intra-abdominal samples (9.1% versus 8.2%; P > 0.05), especially for the C. parapsilosis complex (16.6% versus 3.6%, P < 0.05), whereas echinocandin resistance tended to be lower in blood cultures (0.5% versus 1.0%; P > 0.05). Resistance rates have risen, particularly for fluconazole in blood culture isolates, which increased sharply in 2021. Ibrexafungerp showed in vitro activity against most isolates. Species distributions and resistance rates varied among hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas no C. auris isolates were detected, fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates have been spreading across the region and this has pulled up the rate of fluconazole resistance. In contrast, the rate of echinocandin resistance continues to be low.

Trends in imported malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain (+Redivi Collaborative Network).

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in prevention and management strategies for malaria globally. Currently, data analysing trends in travel-related infections during the pandemic years are scarce. The objective of this analysis was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with imported malaria within the +Redivi network in Spain, focusing on yearly trends from pre-pandemic years to date. METHODS: Cases recorded in +Redivi from October 2009 to December 2021 were analysed and patients with a diagnosis of malaria (standard diagnostic methods using thick/thin peripheral blood smears, with/without a malaria rapid diagnostic test and/or Plasmodium spp. polymerase chain reaction) were identified. The total number of malaria cases, cases according to type of patient and severe cases, per year, were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 1751 cases of malaria (1751/26 601, 6.6%) were identified. The majority occurred in males (1041, 59.5%), median age was 36.3 (interquartile range: 27-44.7) years and most occurred in visiting friends and relatives (VFR)-immigrants (872, 49.8%). Most infections were acquired in sub-Saharan Africa (1.660, 94.8%) and were due to Plasmodium falciparum (81.3%). There were 64 cases of severe malaria (3.7%) and 4 patients died (0.2% mortality, all in pre-pandemic years). A significant increase in cases of severe malaria was observed during the study period (P < 0.001) (attributable to the increase in 2021). There were 16/93 severe cases in 2021 (17.2%), all due to Plasmodium falciparum, (compared with ≤ 5% in previous years), which mainly occurred in travellers and VFR-immigrants (10/16, 62.5% and 5/16, 31.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: After an initial decline associated with travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in imported malaria and a significant increase in cases of severe malaria was observed. Patients with imported malaria may present and/or be diagnosed late during this public health crisis and health care professionals should be alerted to the recent increase in severe cases.

Evidence of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida parapsilosis Genotypes Spreading across Hospitals Located in Madrid, Spain and Harboring the Y132F ERG11p Substitution.

We have been monitoring the antifungal resistance in Candida parapsilosis isolates collected from inpatients at Madrid metropolitan area hospitals for the last 3 years. The study aimed to elucidate the presence of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes in Madrid. From January 2019 to December 2021, a total of 354 C. parapsilosis isolates (n = 346 patients) from blood (76.6%) or intraabdominal samples were collected and genotyped using species-specific microsatellite markers. Antifungal susceptibilities to amphotericin B, the triazoles, micafungin, anidulafungin, and ibrexafungerp were performed according to EUCAST E.Def 7.3.2; the ERG11 gene was sequenced in fluconazole-resistant isolates. A total of 13.6% (n = 48/354) isolates (one per patient) were found to be resistant to fluconazole and non-wild-type to voriconazole but fully susceptible to ibrexafungerp. Resistant isolates were mostly sourced from blood (n = 45/48, 93.8%) and were detected in five hospitals. Two hospitals accounted for a high proportion of resistant isolates (n = 41/48). Resistant isolates harbored either the Y132F ERG11p amino acid substitution (n = 43) or the G458S substitution (n = 5). Isolates harboring the Y132F substitution clustered into a clonal complex involving three genotypes (one genotype accounted for n = 39/43 isolates) that were found in four hospitals. Isolates harboring the G458S substitution clustered into another genotype found in a fifth hospital. C. parapsilosis genotypes demonstrating resistance to fluconazole have been spreading across hospitals in Madrid, Spain. Over the last 3 years, the frequency of isolation of such isolates and the number of hospitals affected is on the rise.

Usefulness of a commercial LAMP assay for detection of malaria infection, including Plasmodium knowlesi cases, in returning travelers in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: Main malaria diagnosis is based on microscopic examination combined with rapid diagnostic tests. Both methods have low sensitivity and specificity. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification techniques have shown a sensitivity similar to PCR but with lower times of performance. This study aimed to assess a commercial LAMP for the diagnosis of malaria (Alethia® Malaria) against the Nested-Multiplex-Malaria PCR, including the analytical sensitivity and the operational characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred five samples out of 114 rendered valid results, obtaining 85 positive samples and 18 negative samples with an agreement of 98% compared to the reference method with a sensitivity, specificity and kappa coefficient of 98.84%, 94.74% and 0.94 respectively, with only two discrepant samples. The turnaround time was estimated in 1 h and 30 min, with a cost of 32.67€ per determination. The results showed several advantages of the Alethia® Malaria, as it was easy to perform, minimal training requirement and 40 min run. Moreover, it includes an internal control to avoid false negatives. However, it also showed some limitations such as the need for a specific amplification and detection device, the detection of only Plasmodium spp. and a very high price.

Usefulness of Malachite-Green LAMP for Diagnosis of Plasmodium and Five Human Malaria Species in a Nonendemic Setting.

Molecular methods are necessary to detect low-density malaria infections. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of six malachite-green loop-mediated amplification method (MG-LAMP) assays (MG-LAMP-Pf, MG-LAMP-Pv, MG-LAMP-Po, MG-LAMP-Pm, MG-LAMP-Pk, and MG-LAMP-Pspp) for the species-specific detection of each human Plasmodium, including P. knowlesi, and the Plasmodium genus compared with the nested-multiplex malaria polymerase chain reaction (NM-PCR), using 161 malaria-positive and 274 malaria-negative samples. MG-LAMP-Pspp assay detected the five human Plasmodium species and each species-specific MG-LAMP assay detected only its corresponding species. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of MG-LAMP assays, compared with NM-PCR, were > 90%, except in the case of the MG-LAMP-Pm assay, which dropped to 47%. Limit of detection for MG-LAMP-Pspp assay ranged from 0.1 parasites/µL for P. falciparum to 16.9 parasites/µL for P. malariae samples, and it was similar for the rest of MG-LAMP assays except for the MG-LAMP-Pm assay. Turnaround time was estimated to be 2 hours and 35 minutes for one MG-LAMP assay and 4 hours and 15 minutes if all species-specific MG-LAMP is set up, whereas for the NM-PCR, turnaround time was ∼6 hours and 15 minutes. Costs per determination ranged from 1 to 6 euros for MG-LAMP assays and 5 euros for NM-PCR. Therefore, MG-LAMP assays appear to have good concordance compared with the reference method, except for the MG-LAMP-Pm assay. They can detect low parasitemia and identify malaria species, with lower costs and shorter time to obtain results, and they are suitable tools to be used in endemic and non-endemic countries for malaria detection.

Frequency and characteristics of HTLV in migrants: results from the +Redivi collaborative network in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to describe the main characteristics of migrants diagnosed with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection within the +Redivi Spanish network. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of HTLV type 1 or 2 in +Redivi from October 2009 to December 2020 were included. Diagnosis was based on positive HTLV serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)/chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)) with line immunoassay (LIA)/Western blot with/without polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 107/17 007 cases (0.6%) had a final diagnosis of HTLV infection: 83 (77.67%) HTLV-1 infections, 6 (5.6%) HTLV-2 infections and 18 (16.8%) non-specified. The majority (76, 71%) were female, median age was 42 years and median time from arrival to Spain until consultation was 10 years. The group included 100 (93.5%) immigrants and 7 (6.6%) visiting friends and relatives (VFR)-immigrants. Most patients were from South America (71, 66.4%), followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (15, 14%) and Central America-Caribbean (13, 12.1%). Around 90% of patients were asymptomatic at presentation and diagnosed as part of screening programs. Median duration of follow-up was 5 years (IQR 2-7). Regarding HTLV-associated conditions, 90 patients (84.2%) had none, 7 (6.5%) had tropical spastic paraparesis , 5 (4.7%) had other associated conditions (dermatitis, uveitis, pulmonary disease), 3 (2.8%) had other neurological symptoms and 2 (1.9%) had adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. No patients with HTLV-2 had HTLV-associated conditions. Four patients (3.7%) died. Concomitant diagnoses were found in 41 (38.3%) patients, including strongyloidiasis in 15 (14%) and HIV co-infection in 4 (3.7%). In 70% of patients, screening of potential contacts was not performed/recorded. CONCLUSIONS: HTLV infections (the majority due to HTLV-1) were mainly diagnosed in asymptomatic migrants from Latin America (generally long-settled immigrants and the majority female with the consequent implications for screening/prevention). A high rate of association with strongyloidiasis was found. In the majority, screening of potential contacts was not performed, representing a missed opportunity for decreasing the under diagnosis of this infection.