COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2: A test-negative design study based on Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) sentinel surveillance in Spain.

BACKGROUND: With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza surveillance systems in Spain were transformed into a new syndromic sentinel surveillance system. The Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA in Spanish) is based on a sentinel network for acute respiratory infection (ARI) surveillance in primary care and a network of sentinel hospitals for severe ARI (SARI) surveillance in hospitals. METHODS: Using a test-negative design and data from SARI admissions notified to SiVIRA between January 1 and October 3, 2021, we estimated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization, by age group, vaccine type, time since vaccination, and SARS-CoV-2 variant. RESULTS: VE was 89% (95% CI: 83-93) against COVID-19 hospitalization overall in persons aged 20 years and older. VE was higher for mRNA vaccines, and lower for those aged 80 years and older, with a decrease in protection beyond 3 months of completing vaccination, and a further decrease after 5 months. We found no differences between periods with circulation of Alpha or Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants, although variant-specific VE was slightly higher against Alpha. CONCLUSIONS: The SiVIRA sentinel hospital surveillance network in Spain was able to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARI hospitalizations and provide estimates of COVID-19 VE in the population under surveillance. Our estimates add to evidence of high effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against severe COVID-19 and waning of protection with time since vaccination in those aged 80 or older. No substantial differences were observed between SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha vs. Delta).

Tularemia Outbreaks in Spain from 2007 to 2020 in Humans and Domestic and Wild Animals.

In this study, tularemia outbreaks associated with humans and several domestic and wild animals (Iberian hares, wild rabbits, voles, mice, grey shrews, sheep, dogs, foxes, wolves, ticks, and river crayfish) are reported in Spain from 2007 to 2020. Special attention was paid to the outbreaks in humans in 2007-2009 and 2014-2015, when the most important waves occurred. Moreover, positive rates of tularemia in lagomorphs were detected in 2007-2010, followed by negative results in 2011-2013, before again returning to positive rates in 2014 and in 2017 and in 2019-2020. Lagomorphs role in spreading Francisella tularensis in the epidemiological chain could not be discarded. F. tularensis is described for the first time infecting the shrew Crocidura russula worldwide, and it is also reported for the first time infecting wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Spain. Serological positives higher than 0.4% were seen for sheep only from 2007-2009 and again in 2019, while serological rates greater than 1% were revealed in dogs in 2007-2008 and in wild canids in 2016. F. tularensis were detected in ticks in 2009, 2014-2015, 2017, and 2019. Lastly, negative results were achieved for river crayfish and also in environmental water samples from 2007 to 2020.

[Epidemiology of Campylobacteriosis in Castile and Leon, Spain,during the period 2008-2015]. / Epidemiología de la campilobacteriosis en Castilla y León durante el período 2008-2015.

OBJECTIVE: Campylobacter is considered the most frequent agent of gastroenteritis in humans all around the world. The aim of this study was to know the incidence, trend and seasonality of notified campylobacteriosis cases in Castile and Leon, Spain, from 2008 to 2015. In addition, to describe the type of case and source of notification, and study the influence of age, sex and Campylobacter species on the hospitalization of cases. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study with a time series analysis. Data on notified campylobacteriosis cases were collected from the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Castile and Leon (2008-2015). Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios by age, sex and year of notification were calculated. In order to estimate trend and seasonality, a time series analysis was performed using a multiplicative method and adjusted to a linear and exponential model. RESULTS: From 4,330 cases analyzed, 49.4% of children aged under 5 were affected. The ratio of men to women was 1.43 and 61.8% of cases were notified from secondary care. C. jejuni was isolated from 72.3% of samples (n=2,593). Incidence rate ranged from 11.42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2008 to 33.53 in 2015. The seasonality range was from 71.97% (13th four-week period) to 125.54% (9th four-week period). Hospitalization reached 62.5% for people aged 60 or over. CONCLUSIONS: A growing trend of notified campylobacteriosis cases is observed in Castile and Leon (2008-2015), mainly in children aged under 5, with a peak in summer months. Males are more affected than females and hospitalization increases with age.

OBJETIVO: El Campylobacter es considerado el agente causal más común en el mundo de gastroenteritis humana. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la incidencia, tendencia y estacionalidad de los casos de campilobacteriosis declarados en Castilla y León (periodo 2008-2015) así como describir el tipo de presentación y nivel asistencial de declaración y estudiar la influencia de la edad, sexo y especie de Campylobacter en la hospitalización de las personas afectadas. METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo con análisis de la serie temporal. Los datos se obtuvieron de los casos notificados al Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Castilla y León (2008-2015). Para cada año, se hallaron tasas de incidencia y razón de tasas de incidencia globales y por edad y sexo. Se analizó la tendencia y estacionalidad de la serie temporal mediante método multiplicativo, ajustándose a un modelo lineal y exponencial. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 4.330 casos, con un 49,4% de afectación en menores de 5 años. La ratio hombre/mujer fue 1,43 y un 61,8% de casos se notificó desde atención especializada. C. jejuni se aisló en un 72,3% de muestras (n=2.593). La tasa de incidencia pasó de 11,42 casos por 100.000 habitantes en 2008 a 33,53 en 2015. El índice de estacionalidad varió entre 71,97% (cuatrisemana 13) y 125,54% (cuatrisemana 9). La hospitalización en ≥60 años alcanzó el 62,5%.

Epidemiología de la campilobacteriosis en Castilla y León durante el período 2008-2015 / Epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in Castile and Leon, Spain, during the period 2008-2015

Fundamentos: El Campylobacter es considerado el agente causal más común en el mundo de gastroenteritis humana. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la incidencia, tendencia y estacionalidad de los casos de campilobacteriosis declarados en Castilla y León (periodo 2008-2015) así como describir el tipo de presentación y nivel asistencial de declaración y estudiar la influencia de la edad, sexo y especie de Campylobacter en la hospitalización de las personas afectadas. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo con análisis de la serie temporal. Los datos se obtuvieron de los casos notificados al Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Castilla y León (2008-2015). Para cada año, se hallaron tasas de incidencia y razón de tasas de incidencia globales y por edad y sexo. Se analizó la tendencia y estacionalidad de la serie temporal mediante método multiplicativo, ajustándose a un modelo lineal y exponencial. Resultados: Se analizaron 4.330 casos, con un 49,4% de afectación en <5 años. La ratio hombre/mujer fue 1,43 y un 61,8% de casos se notificó desde atención especializada. C. jejuni se aisló en un 72,3% de muestras (n=2.593). La tasa de incidencia pasó de 11,42 casos por 100.000 habitantes en 2008 a 33,53 en 2015. El índice de estacionalidad varió entre 71,97% (cuatrisemana 13) y 125,54% (cuatrisemana 9). La hospitalización en ≥60 años alcanzó el 62,5%. Conclusiones: Se observa una tendencia ascendente de los casos notificados de campilobacteriosis en Castilla y León (2008-2015), especialmente en <5 años, con una clara estacionalidad en verano. Predomina en hombres, y la hospitalización aumenta con la edad (AU)

Background: Campylobacter is considered the most frequent agent of gastroenteritis in humans all around the world. The aim of this study was to know the incidence, trend and seasonality of notified campylobacteriosis cases in Castile and Leon, Spain, from 2008 to 2015. In addition, to describe the type of case and source of notification, and study the influence of age, sex and Campylobacter species on the hospitalization of cases. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study with a time series analysis. Data on notified campylobacteriosis cases were collected from the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Castile and Leon (2008-2015). Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios by age, sex and year of notification were calculated. In order to estimate trend and seasonality, a time series analysis was performed using a multiplicative method and adjusted to a linear and exponential model. Results: From 4,330 cases analyzed, 49.4% of children aged under 5 were affected. The ratio of men to women was 1.43 and 61.8% of cases were notified from secondary care. C. jejuni was isolated from 72.3% of samples (n=2,593). Incidence rate ranged from 11.42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2008 to 33.53 in 2015. The seasonality range was from 71.97% (13th fourweek period) to 125.54% (9th four-week period). Hospitalization reached 62.5% for people aged 60 or over. Conclusions: A growing trend of notified campylobacteriosis cases is observed in Castile and Leon (2008-2015), mainly in children aged under 5, with a peak in summer months. Males are more affected than females and hospitalization increases with age (AU)