COVID-19 among workers of a comprehensive cancer centre between first and second epidemic waves (2020): a seroprevalence study in Catalonia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with cancer are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 surveillance of workers in oncological centres is crucial to assess infection burden and prevent transmission. We estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a comprehensive cancer centre in Catalonia, Spain, and analyse its association with sociodemographic characteristics, exposure factors and behaviours. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (21 May 2020-26 June 2020). SETTING: A comprehensive cancer centre (Institut Català d'Oncologia) in Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All HCWs (N=1969) were invited to complete an online self-administered epidemiological survey and provide a blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence (%) and 95% CIs of seropositivity together with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% CI were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 1266 HCWs filled the survey (participation rate: 64.0%) and 1238 underwent serological testing (97.8%). The median age was 43.7 years (p25-p75: 34.8-51.0 years), 76.0% were female, 52.0% were nursing or medical staff and 79.0% worked on-site during the pandemic period. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 8.9% (95% CI 7.44% to 10.63%), with no differences by age and sex. No significant differences in terms of seroprevalence were observed between onsite workers and teleworkers. Seropositivity was associated with living with a person with COVID-19 (aPR 3.86, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.98). Among on-site workers, seropositive participants were twofold more likely to be nursing or medical staff. Nursing and medical staff working in a COVID-19 area showed a higher seroprevalence than other staff (aPR 2.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.52). CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among Institut Català d'Oncologia HCW was lower than the reported in other Spanish hospitals. The main risk factors were sharing household with infected people and contact with COVID-19 patients and colleagues. Strengthening preventive measures and health education among HCW is fundamental.

High HIV incidence among men who have sex with men attending a community-based voluntary counselling and testing service in Barcelona, Spain: results from the ITACA cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the HIV incidence and its associated factors (AFs) of the ITACA, a community-based cohort of HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) established in Barcelona, Spain from 2008 to 2011. METHODS: Participants were men aged 18 years or older, having a negative HIV test result at baseline and agreeing to participate. Bio-behavioural data were collected by peers in each visit. HIV incidence rates using person-time measures and 95% CIs were calculated. Cox logistic regression models were used to identify AFs to seroconversion. RESULTS: Over the period, 3544 participants with at least one follow-up visit or those who had a first visit no longer than a year prior to the date of data censoring were included in the analysis contributing 3567.09 person-year (p-y) and 85 MSM seroconverted for an overall HIV incidence of 2.4 per 100 p-y (95% CI 1.9 to 2.9) ranging from 1.21/100 (2009) to 3.1/100 p-y (2011). Independent AF included: foreign origin, having more than five HIV tests at baseline, reporting in the preceding 6 months the following: condomless anal sex with the last steady partner of unknown serostatus, more than 10 casual partners, condomless anal sex with casual partner, self-reported gonorrhoea and entered in the cohort in 2010 or 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The ITACA cohort revealed a high and increasing HIV incidence among MSM, especially important among foreign-born men. The findings underscore the need to implement multilevel interventions for MSM taking into account different types of partners, cultural origins and the exposure to other sexually transmitted infections.

Recursos diagnósticos para las infecciones de transmisión sexual en los laboratorios de Cataluña (España) / Diagnostic resources for sexually-transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)

ObjetivoDescribir la capacidad y organización de los laboratorios de Cataluña (España) para el diagnóstico de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Para ello, entre noviembre de 2005 y marzo de 2006 se realizó un estudio transversal incluyendo 140 laboratorios.Resultados98 realizan alguna prueba diagnóstica, 45 reciben más de 50 muestras vaginales al mes, 42 diagnostican Chlamydia trachomatis, pero solo 6 mediante amplificación de ácidos nucleicos. Ninguno diagnostica el linfogranuloma venéreo. 80 detectan la Neisseria gonorrhoeae (n 1/4 80), 76 de ellos mediante cultivo y 63 analizan su sensibilidad antimicrobiana. En total 23, 22, 22 y 14 laboratorios reciben más de 500 peticiones al mes, respectivamente de hepatitis B, hepatitis C, VIH y sífilis. 84 disponen de pruebas no treponémicas parala sífilis y 51 disponen de pruebas treponémicas.ConclusionesLa actividad de los laboratorios cubre prácticamente todo el espectro patológico, pero es necesario introducir nuevas técnicas y mejorar la eficiencia de los circuitos de muestras(AU)

ObjectiveWith the aim of describing both the capacity and organization of the laboratories in Catalonia to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2005 and March 2006, which included 140 laboratories.ResultsNinety-eight laboratories performed some STI tests, 45 received more than 50 vaginal swabs per month, 42 diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis, but only six used polymerase chain reaction techniques. None diagnosed venereal lymphogranuloma. Eighty were able to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 76 by means of culture and 63 analyzed its antibiotic resistance. A total of 23, 22, 22 and 14 laboratories received more than 500 blood samples for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis, respectively. Non-treponemic and treponemic tests were available in 84 and 52 laboratories, respectively.ConclusionsIn Catalonia, most STIs can be diagnosed but new technologies need to be introduced. Moreover, the efficiency of biological sample circuits should be improved(AU)

[Diagnostic resources for sexually transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)]. / Recursos diagnósticos para las infecciones de transmisión sexual en los laboratorios de Cataluña (España).

OBJECTIVE: With the aim of describing both the capacity and organization of the laboratories in Catalonia to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2005 and March 2006, which included 140 laboratories. RESULTS: Ninety-eight laboratories performed some STI tests, 45 received more than 50 vaginal swabs per month, 42 diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis, but only six used polymerase chain reaction techniques. None diagnosed venereal lymphogranuloma. Eighty were able to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 76 by means of culture and 63 analyzed its antibiotic resistance. A total of 23, 22, 22 and 14 laboratories received more than 500 blood samples for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis, respectively. Non-treponemic and treponemic tests were available in 84 and 52 laboratories, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Catalonia, most STIs can be diagnosed but new technologies need to be introduced. Moreover, the efficiency of biological sample circuits should be improved.

[Reemergence of infectious syphilis among homosexual men and HIV coinfection in Barcelona, 2002-2003]. / Reemergencia de la sífilis infecciosa en varones homosexuales y coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en Barcelona, 2002-2003.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An increase in syphilis infections since the mid 1990s has been documented, especially in homosexual men, in different European and North American cities. We intended to describe the characteristics of newly diagnosed cases of syphilis at the Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit of Barcelona in 2002 and 2003. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Descriptive analysis of cases with infectious syphilis and multivariate analysis of factors associated with HIV coinfection. RESULTS: 102 cases were diagnosed with infectious syphilis, 98 males (88 homosexual men). HIV coinfection was present in 34% of cases. Predictive factors of HIV coinfection were age > 30 years (p = 0.003) and having a HIV positive partner (p = 0.044). Clinically, there were no differences between cases coinfected or not with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a recent increase of syphilis in Barcelona, especially among some core groups of homosexual men with high rates of HIV coinfection.

Reemergencia de la sífilis infecciosa en varones homosexuales y coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en Barcelona, 2002-2003 / Reemergence of infectious syphilis among homosexual men and HIV coinfection in Barcelona, 2002-2003

Fundamento y objetivos: Se ha documentado un incremento de casos de sífilis infecciosa desde mediados de 1990, sobre todo en varones homosexuales, en distintas ciudades europeas y norteamericanas. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las características de los nuevos casos de sífilis infecciosa diagnosticados en la Unidad de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual de Barcelona en 2002 y 2003. Pacientes y método: Análisis descriptivo de los diagnósticos de sífilis infecciosa y análisis multivariante de los factores asociados a la coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Resultados: Se diagnosticó 102 casos de sífilis infecciosa, de los que 98 eran varones (88 de ellos homosexuales). En el 34% de los casos los individuos estaban coinfectados por el VIH. Los factores predictores de coinfección fueron la edad superior a 30 años (p = 0,003) y tener pareja infectada por el VIH (p = 0,044). Clínicamente no hubo diferencias entre los casos según la coinfección VIH. Conclusiones: En Barcelona también se ha detectado un incremento reciente de casos de sífilis infecciosa, especialmente en determinados grupos nucleares de varones homosexuales con elevadas tasas de coinfección por el VIH

Background and objectives: An increase in syphilis infections since the mid 1990s has been documented, especially in homosexual men, in different Europen and North American cities. We intended to describe the characteristics of newly diagnosed cases of syphilis at the Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit of Barcelona in 2002 and 2003. Patients and method: Descriptive analysis of cases with infectious syphilis and multivariate analysis of factors associated with HIV coinfection. Results: 102 cases were diagnosed with infectious syphilis, 98 males (88 homosexual men). HIV coinfection was present in 34% of cases. Predictive factors of HIV coinfection were age >30 years (p = 0.003) and having a HIV positive partner (p = 0.044). Clinically, there were no differences between cases coinfected or not with HIV. Conclusions: There has been a recent increase of syphilis in Barcelona, especially among some core groups of homosexual men with high rates of HIV coinfection