Polyserositis: a diagnostic challenge.

BACKGROUND: Polyserositis (PS) is the inflammation, with effusion, of different serous membranes. It has been associated with different aetiologies, but the aetiology of PS remains unknown in a high percentage of patients. AIMS: The general objective of this retrospective study was to analyse the aetiology of PS cases seen at Son Llàtzer Hospital in an 11-year period. Other objectives were to determine the epidemiological, clinical and analytical characteristics of these patients. METHODS: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study to analyse the aetiology of PS cases seen at Son Llàtzer Hospital. The inflammation of two or more serous membranes confirmed by an imaging test was required and at least one of the serous fluid should be an exudate. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients was included in the study. The most common diagnosis was neoplasm (nearly one-third of cases) followed by infectious and autoimmune diseases. PS aetiology was unknown in more than one-third. Pleura and pericardium were the most common sites of serosal involvement (83%). Antinuclear antibodies' positivity in serum and increased levels of adenosine deaminase in pleural effusion were significantly associated with a final diagnosis of autoimmune disease. Increased pleural lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly associated with a final diagnosis of neoplasm. In 9 of 14 patients with a previous cancer, PS represented a recurrence of their cancer. Cases of unknown aetiology presented most frequently as pleural and pericardial involvement, and the majority resolved. In very few patients, an infectious aetiology could be proven. CONCLUSION: PS is a frequent clinical entity that is associated with different diseases and its diagnosis could be challenging, with a high rate of unknown aetiologies.

Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living with HIV: Data from the Balearic cohort (EVHIA).

INTRODUCTION: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living with HIV (PLWH) has been a matter of research. We evaluated the incidence and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis among PLWH. We also assessed factors related to vaccination coverage in the Balearic Islands. METHODS: A retrospective analytical study was performed, including patients from the Balearic cohort (EVHIA) who were visited at least twice between 1st January 2020 and 31st March 2022. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare categorical and continuous variables respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were estimated to identify risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 3567 patients with HIV were included. The median age was 51 years (IQR 44-59). Most of them were male (77,3%), from Europe (82,1%) or South America (13,8%). During the study period 1036 patients were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection (29%). The incidence rate was 153,24 cases per 1000 person-year. After multivariable analysis, men who have sex with men (MSM) were associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio 1,324, 95% CI 1,138-1,540), whereas African origin, tobacco use and complete or booster vaccination coverage were negatively related. Overall, complete vaccination or booster coverage was recorded in 2845 (79,75%) patients. When analysing vaccination uptake, older patients (adjusted hazard ratio 5,122, 95% CI 3,170-8,288) and those with a modified comorbidity index of 2-3 points (adjusted hazard ratio 1,492, 95% CI 1,056-2,107) had received more vaccine doses. CONCLUSIONS: In our study no HIV related factor was associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, except for differences in the transmission route. Possible confounding variables such as mask wearing or social interactions could not be measured. Vaccines were of utmost importance to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Efforts should be made to encourage vaccination in those groups of PLWH with less coverage.