Genetic Load of SARS-CoV-2 in Aerosols Collected in Operating Theaters.

After the outbreak of COVID-19, additional protocols have been established to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 from the patient to the health personnel and vice versa in health care settings. However, in the case of emergency surgeries, it is not always possible to ensure that the patient is not infected with SARS-CoV-2, assuming a potential source of transmission of the virus to health personnel. This work aimed to evaluate the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 and quantify the viral load in indoor air samples collected inside operating rooms, where emergency and scheduled operations take place. Samples were collected for 3 weeks inside two operating rooms for 24 h at 38 L/min in quartz filters. RNA was extracted from the filters and analyzed using RT-qPCR targeting SARS-CoV-2 genes E, N1 and N2 regions. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 11.3% of aerosol samples collected in operating rooms, despite with low concentrations (not detected at 13.5 cg/m3 and 10.5 cg/m3 in the scheduled and emergency operating rooms, respectively). Potential sources of airborne SARS-CoV-2 could be aerosolization of the virus during aerosol-generating procedures and in open surgery from patients that might have been recently infected with the virus, despite presenting a negative COVID-19 test. Another source could be related to health care workers unknowingly infected with the virus and exhaling SARS-CoV-2 virions into the air. These results highlight the importance of reinforcing preventive measures against COVID-19 in operating rooms, such as the correct use of protective equipment, screening programs for health care workers, and information campaigns. IMPORTANCE Operating rooms are critical environments in which asepsis must be ensured. The COVID-19 pandemic entailed the implementation of additional preventative measures in health care settings, including operating theaters. Although one of the measures is to operate only COVID-19 free patients, this measure cannot be always implemented, especially in emergency interventions. Therefore, a surveillance campaign was conducted during 3 weeks in two operating rooms to assess the level of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material detected in operating theaters with the aim to assess the risk of COVID-19 transmission during operating procedures. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was detected in 11% of aerosol samples collected in operating rooms, despite with low concentrations. Plausible SARS-CoV-2 sources have been discussed, including patients and health care personnel infected with the virus. These results highlight the importance of reinforcing preventive measures against COVID-19 in operating rooms, such as the correct use of protective equipment, screening programs for health care workers and information campaigns.

[Study of the current status of Schistosoma haematobium infection in the European Union. An approach to the possible risk in Spain]. / Estudio de la situación actual de la infección por Schistosoma haematobium en la Unión Europea. Una aproximación al posible riesgo en España.

OBJECTIVE: In Europe, urogenital schistosomiasis was not endemic, however in 2014 the first cases of a European autochthonous infection outbreak appeared in Corsica (France). In this work a search and description of cases, both import and native urogenital schistosomiasis, published in the European Union (EU) during the last 20 years was made. In addition, a qualitative risk assessment in Spain was carried out. METHODS: A bibliographic search of European Union published cases over the last 20 years (1997-2017) was performed using PubMed. Works that evidenced the presence of intermediate hosts Bulinus truncatus and Planorbarius metidjensis in our country were searched in PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Finally, a risk assessment of urogenital schistosomiasis in Spain using the 2011 ECDC guide was made. RESULTS: 481 cases in the EU were found. 328 were imported and 152 autochthonous. All from the autochthonous cases were focused in Corsica, where people from different nationalities got sicked. The presence of two potential host species was documented in different locations of our geography. The result of the risk assessment in Spain was low risk. CONCLUSIONS: Although the risk assessment in Spain was low risk, several factors as the presence of intermediate hosts in Spain, the increase on migratory flows, and the role that the S. haematobium-bovis hybrid had in the outbreak of Corsica, must alert community and health authorities about the possibility that autochthonous cases in our country appear.

OBJETIVO: En Europa no era endémica la esquistosomiasis urogenital, sin embargo en 2014 aparecieron en Francia los primeros casos de un brote de infección autóctona europea. En este trabajo se hace una búsqueda y descripción de casos de esquistosomiasis urogenital, tanto importados como autóctonos, publicados en la Unión Europea (UE) durante los últimos 20 años. Además se realiza una evaluación cualitativa del riesgo en España. METODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed de casos publicados en la UE durante los últimos 20 años (1997-2017). Se buscaron trabajos en PubMed, ResearchGate y Google Académico que evidenciasen la presencia hospedadores intermediarios Bulinus truncatus y Planorbarius metidjensis en nuestro país. Finalmente se evaluó el riesgo de esquistosomiasis urogenital en España aplicando la guía del ECDC de 2011. RESULTADOS: Se hallaron 481 casos en la UE, 328 eran importados y 152 autóctonos. En todos los casos autóctonos el foco se localizó en Córcega, donde enfermaron personas de diversas nacionalidades. Se documentó la presencia de dos especies hospedadores potenciales en diversas localizaciones de nuestra geografía. El resultado de la evaluación de riesgo en España fue bajo riesgo. CONCLUSIONES: Si bien el resultado de la evaluación de riesgo en España fue bajo riesgo, factores como la presencia de hospedadores intermediarios, el aumento de los flujos migratorios, y el papel que tuvo el híbrido S. haematobium-bovis en el brote de Córcega, deben poner en sobre aviso a la comunidad médica y las autoridades sanitarias ante la posibilidad de que aparezcan casos autóctonos en nuestro país.

Estudio de la situación actual de la infección por Schistosoma Haematobium en la Unión Europea. Una aproximación al posible riesgo en España / Study of the current status of schistosoma haematobium infection in the European Union. An approach to the possible risk in Spain

Fundamentos. En Europa no era endémica la esquistosomiasis urogenital, sin embargo, en 2014 aparecieron en Francia los primeros casos de un brote de infección autóctona europea. En este trabajo se hace una búsqueda y descripción de casos de esquistosomiasis urogenital, tanto importados como autóctonos, publicados en la Unión Europea (UE) durante los últimos 20 años. Además, se realiza una evaluación cualitativa del riesgo en España. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed de casos publicados en la UE durante los últimos 20 años (1997-2017). Se buscaron trabajos en PubMed, ResearchGate y Google Académico que evidenciasen la presencia hospedadores intermediarios Bulinus truncatusy Planorbarius metidjensis en nuestro país. Finalmente se evaluó el riesgo de esquistosomiasis urogenital en España aplicando la guía del ECDC de 2011. Resultados. Se hallaron 481 casos en la UE, 328 eran importados y 152 autóctonos. En todos los casos autóctonos el foco se localizó en Córcega, donde enfermaron personas de diversas nacionalidades. Se documentó la presencia de dos especies hospedadores potenciales en diversas localizaciones de nuestra geografía. El resultado de la evaluación de riesgo en España fue bajo riesgo. Conclusiones. Si bien el resultado de la evaluación de riesgo en España fue bajo riesgo, factores como la presencia de hospedadores intermediarios, el aumento de los flujos migratorios, y el papel que tuvo el híbrido S. haematobium-bovis en el brote de Córcega, deben poner en sobre aviso a la comunidad médica y las autoridades sanitarias ante la posibilidad de que aparezcan casos autóctonos en nuestro país

Background. In Europe, urogenital schistosomiasis was not endemic, however in 2014 the first cases of a European auto-chthonous infection outbreak appeared in Corsica (France). In this work a search and description of cases, both import and native urogenital schistosomiasis, published in the European Union (EU) during the last 20 years was made. In addition, a qualitative risk assessment in Spain was carried out. Methods. A bibliographic search of European Union published cases over the last 20 years (1997-2017) was performed using PubMed. Works that evidenced the presence of intermediate hosts Bulinus truncates and Planorbarius metidjensis in our country were searched in PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Finally, a risk assessment of urogenital schistosomiasis in Spain using the 2011 ECDC guide was made. Results. 481 cases in the EU were found. 328 were imported and 152 autochthonous. All from the autochthonous cases were focused in Corsica, where people from different nationalities got sicked. The presence of two potential host species was documented in different locations of our geography. The result of the risk assessment in Spain was low risk. Conclusions. Although the risk assessment in Spain was low risk, several factors as the presence of intermediate hosts in Spain, the increase on migratory flows, and the role that the S. haematobium-bovis hybrid had in the outbreak of Corsica, must alert community and health authorities about the possibility that autochthonous cases in our country appear