Seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and risk of COVID-19 in Navarre, Spain, May to July 2022.

In Navarre, Spain, in May 2022, the seroprevalence of anti-nucleocapsid (N) and anti-spike (S) antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 was 58.9% and 92.7%, respectively. The incidence of confirmed COVID-19 thereafter through July was lower in people with anti-N antibodies (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.13) but not with anti-S antibodies (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.47-2.38). Hybrid immunity, including anti-N antibodies induced by natural exposure to SARS-CoV-2, seems essential in preventing Omicron COVID-19 cases.

[Environmental microbiological control]. / Control microbiológico ambiental.

The environmental microbiological control is necessary to prevent infections associated with certain procedures that are performed at the hospital. In this review the procedures for control of water and dialysis fluids, and air in operating rooms and immunocompromised units are addressed. The dialysis quality management guidelines define the highest levels of chemical, microbiological and endotoxin in purified water and dialysis fluids based on the recommendations of scientific societies. The microbiological control of water and dialysis fluids should include detection of microorganisms and endotoxin levels. Regarding the microbiological air sampling of operating rooms and immunocompromised units the types of clean rooms in which is recommended to perform microbiological air monitoring; the sample collection methods; culture media; incubation conditions; the most common microorganisms, and permissible levels depending on the type of surgery are described.

Identification of CRF89_BF, a new member of an HIV-1 circulating BF intersubtype recombinant form family widely spread in South America.

Circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) contribute substantially to the HIV-1 pandemic. Among 105 CRFs described in the literature, 16 are BF intersubtype recombinants, most of South American origin, of which CRF12_BF is the most widely spread. A BF recombinant cluster identified in Bolivia was suggested to represent a new CRF_BF. Here we find that it belongs to a larger cluster incorporating 39 viruses collected in 7 countries from 3 continents, 22 of them in Spain, most from Bolivian or Peruvian individuals, and 12 in South America (Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru). This BF cluster comprises three major subclusters, two associated with Bolivian and one with Peruvian individuals. Near full-length genome sequence analyses of nine viruses, collected in Spain, Bolivia, and Peru, revealed coincident BF mosaic structures, with 13 breakpoints, 6 and 7 of which coincided with CRF12_BF and CRF17_BF, respectively. In a phylogenetic tree, they grouped in a clade closely related to these CRFs, and more distantly to CRF38_BF and CRF44_BF, all circulating in South America. These results allowed to identify a new HIV-1 CRF, designated CRF89_BF. Through phylodynamic analyses, CRF89_BF emergence was estimated in Bolivia around 1986. CRF89_BF is the fifth CRF member of the HIV-1 recombinant family related to CRF12_BF.

Microbiological monitoring of medical devices after cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation. / Métodos microbiológicos para la monitorización de la limpieza, desinfección y esterilización de dispositivos médicos.

The use of reusable semi-critical devices has been extended in current medical practice for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, reuse of these instruments carries the risk of cross-transmission of microorganisms from one patient to another. The process of cleaning and disinfecting these devices is complex, long, expensive and very error-prone. This paper analyses the epidemiological aspects of infections associated with the reuse of semi-critical devices and the role of the Microbiology laboratory in monitoring the cleaning and disinfecting process through microbiological controls. The recommendations of different scientific societies on the relevance of such controls are reviewed and specific recommendations are proposed for the taking and processing of the samples, interpretation of the results and measures to be taken depending on the results obtained.

[Non-typhoid salmonellosis in in a basic health area of Navarra, Spain]. / Salmonelosis no tifoidea en un Area de Salud de Navarra, España.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella gastro-enteritis is a Zoonoses transmitted by the ingestion of food products and water or fomites contaminated by the faeces of infected people or animals. At present, constitutes a world-wide pandemic. The aim of the present study has been to in progress examine cases of non-typhoidal salmonellosis in the Health Area I of Navarra (376,079 inhabitants). METHODS: 39,697 outpatient specimens submitted for culture during 1993-2000 were analysed retrospectively. Standard procedures to isolate enteropathogens were employed. The Salmonella strains were serotyped. Data was collected on age, sex, specimen date and result of culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for all isolates. RESULTS: 2,924 salmonellae were isolated (7.4%) with the most frequent serotype being Salmonella Enteritidis (62%). The highest isolation rate was associated with children, particularly infants (1,117.3 per 100,000 inhabitants). Salmonella Typhimurium was typically more resistant than Salmonella Enteritidis, although resistance rates in both have increased in recent time. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the socio-economic improvements, the incidence of gastro-enteritis associated with Salmonella spp. has continued to increase in recent years, mainly affecting infants, and constitutes an important public health problem.