Brote de transmisión comunitaria de COVID-19 en un municipio de La Habana (marzo-abril, 2021)

Introducción: Una oportuna investigación de los eventos epidemiológicos de la COVID-19 garantiza minimizar la propagación de la enfermedad en la población. Objetivos: Caracterizar el brote de transmisión comunitaria de COVID-19 en un municipio de La Habana. Métodos: Estudio transversal de casos positivos de infección por SARS-CoV-2 del brote Catedral en La Habana Vieja, en 2021. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, manzana de residencia, fecha de inicio de síntomas, fecha de diagnóstico, forma clínica, tipo de caso. Se utilizó la metodología para el estudio de brotes. Se calcularon porcentajes, diferencias de proporciones, tasas, número reproductivo efectivo y parámetro de dispersión con intervalos de confianza de 95 %. Resultados: Se notificó el brote el 23 de marzo y se cerró el 22 de abril con 106 casos (tasa de ataque 4,51 %), el pico en la notificación se produjo el 29 de marzo con 40 casos (37,73 %). La edad media fue de 43 años. Resultaron más afectados los adultos de 60 y más años (30,18 %), las mujeres (58,49 %) y la manzana 0024 (45,28 % de los casos). El 77,3 % no presentó síntomas, entre ellos dos superdispersores; los sintomáticos fueron leves y no hubo fallecidos. El número reproductivo efectivo global fue de 0,94 (IC: 0,70-1,21); superior en los asintomáticos (11,43 versus 4,00); y el parámetro de dispersión de 0,89 (IC: 0,51-2,09), superior en los sintomáticos (1,06 versus 0,69). Conclusiones: El control epidemiológico oportuno ante cada caso permitió la corta duración del brote y que no hubiesen fallecidos.

Introduction: A timely investigation of COVID-19 epidemiological events guarantees to minimize the spread of the disease in the population. Objective: To characterize the COVID-19 outbreak of community transmission in a municipality in Havana. Methods: Cross-sectional study of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the "Cathedral" outbreak in Old Havana in 2021. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, city block of residence, date of symptom onset, date of diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and type of case. The methodology for the study of outbreaks was used. Percentages, differences in proportions, rates, effective reproductive number, and dispersion parameter with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: The outbreak was reported on March 23 and closed on April 22 with 106 cases (attack rate of 4.51%). The peak was notified on March 29 with 40 cases (37.73%). The mean age was 43 years. Adults aged 60 years and older (30.18%), women (58.49%), and block 0024 (45.28% of cases) were most affected. A total of 77.3% were asymptomatic, including two superspreaders; symptomatic cases were mild and there were no deaths. The overall effective reproductive number was 0.94 (CI: 0.70-1.21); higher in asymptomatic cases (11.43 versus 4.00); and the dispersion parameter was 0.89 (CI: 0.51-2.09), higher in symptomatic cases (1.06 versus 0.69). Conclusions: Timely epidemiological control of each case ensured the short duration of the outbreak and no deaths.

Serotipos y resistencia antimicrobiana de Streptococcus pneumoniae en población pediátrica china: una revisión de alcance

Esta revisión tuvo como propósito explorar la distribución de serotipos y la resistencia antimicrobiana de Streptococcus pneumoniae en la población pediátrica de China a partir de literatura publicada en los últimos seis años. Se realizó una revisión de alcance a partir de PubMed y dos bases de datos de China: CNKI y WanFang Data. Del total de 196 artículos extraídos, se seleccionaron 14 estudios para esta revisión. Hay 13 artículos que analizan la distribución de serotipos de Streptococcus pneumoniae; los serotipos más frecuentemente registrados son: 19F, 19A, 23F, 14 y 6B. Hay 11 artículos que analizan la resistencia antimicrobiana de Streptococcus pneumoniae, la prevalencia de no susceptibles a la penicilina se encuentra en el rango de 0 % a 95,7 %. Los aislados son muy resistentes a eritromicina, clindamicina, tetraciclina y trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol; son resistentes a penicilina en meningitis neumocócica pero son sensibles a penicilina en otras enfermedades neumocócicas, además, son muy sensibles a levofloxacina, vancomicina y Linezolid. Se concluye que la vacuna antineumocócica conjugada 13 tiene alta cobertura en los serotipos de Streptococcus pneumoniae en los niños de China continental, por eso se recomienda su inclusión en el programa de vacunación infantil; al mismo tiempo, se debe tener en cuenta la aparición de la sustitución de serotipos. Por eso, se deben incluir más pacientes pediátricos o niños en las investigaciones, especialmente los menores de cinco años. Es necesaria una vigilancia de alta calidad a largo plazo sobre la distribución de serotipos y resistencia antimicrobiana de Streptococcus pneumoniae para el desarrollo de la prevención de enfermedades neumocócicas.

This review aimed to explore the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Chinese pediatric population based on literature published in the last six years. A scoping review was performed using PubMed and two Chinese databases: CNKI and WanFang Data. Of the total of 196 articles extracted, 14 studies were selected for this review. There are 13 articles that analyze the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, the most frequently registered serotypes are: 19F, 19A, 23F, 14 and 6B. There are 11 articles that analyze the antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the prevalence of non-susceptible to penicillin is in the range of 0% to 95.7%. Isolates are highly resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; they are resistant to penicillin in pneumococcal meningitis but are sensitive to penicillin in other pneumococcal diseases, in addition, they are very sensitive to levofloxacin, vancomycin and Linezolid. It is concluded that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 has high coverage in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in children from mainland China, therefore its inclusion in the childhood vaccination program is recommended; at the same time, the occurrence of serotype substitution should be taken into account. Therefore, more pediatric patients or children should be included in research, especially those under five years of age. Long-term, high-quality surveillance of the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae is necessary for the development of pneumococcal disease prevention.

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Havana, Cuba, March-June 2020: Epidemiological Implications.

INTRODUCTION: The percentage of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases worldwide is estimated at 18-50%; 53% in Cuba specifically, and 58% in Havana, the Cuban capital and the 2020 epicenter of the country's COVID-19 epidemic. These figures, however, do not represent the transmission capacity or behavior of asymptomatic cases. Understanding asymptomatic transmission's contribution to SARS-CoV-2 spread is of great importance to disease control and prevention. OBJECTIVE: Identify the epidemiological implications of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in Havana, Cuba, during the first wave of the epidemic in 2020. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study of all confirmed COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Havana, Cuba, from March 16 through June 30, 2020. The information was obtained through review of the standardized form for investigation of suspected and confirmed cases. Examined variables included age, sex, occupation, case type and source of infection. Cases were divided into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups, and transmission was characterized through the creation of a contact matrix. Analysis was carried out in Epidat and R. RESULTS: We studied 1287 confirmed cases, of which 57.7% (743) were asymptomatic, and 42.3% (544) were symptomatic. Symptomatic presentation was the most common for both imported and introduced cases, while asymptomatic presentation was more common in autochthonic cases and infections from an undetermined source. Asymptomatic infection was more common in groups aged ⟨20 and 20-59 years, while symptomatic infection was more common in those aged ⟩60 years. In the contact matrix, 34.6% of cases (445/1287) were not tied to other cases, and 65.4% (842/1287) were infectious-infected dyads, with symptomatic-symptomatic being the most common combination. The majority of primary cases (78.5%; 1002/1276) did not generate secondary cases, and 85.6% (658/743) of asymptomatic cases did not lead to other cases (although one asymptomatic superspreader led to 90 cases in a single event). However, 63.2% (344/544) of symptomatic primary cases generated secondary cases, and 11 symptomatic superspreaders spawned 100 secondary cases in different events. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was the most common form of COVID-19 in Havana during the study period, but its capacity for contagion was lower than that of symptomatic individuals. Superspreader events under specific conditions played an important role in sustaining the epidemic.

Transmisión intrahospitalaria de SARS-CoV-2

RESUMEN Introducción: La alta transmisión de la COVID-19 propicia que el personal de salud contraiga la infección durante la atención a los pacientes con la probabilidad de propagarla a otros pacientes hospitalizados y compañeros de trabajo. Objetivo: Describir un brote intrahospitalario de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal realizado en el Hospital Universiario Clínico Quirúrgico " General Calixto García" , La Habana en marzo de 2020. Se estudiaron 545 personas entre pacientes y trabajadores. Los datos se recolectaron mediante fichas clínico-epidemiológicas e historias clínicas. Los casos se describieron según: tipo de personal de salud, servicios que atienden, sexo, síntomas, signos y comorbilidades. Se realizó una matriz de contactos y para evaluar la intensidad del brote se calculó el número reproductivo y el valor de dispersion. Resultados: De los 545 estudiados, 30 % fueron pacientes y 70 % trabajadores de siete servicios, 30 tuvieron el diagnóstico confirmado de SARS-CoV-2. Las acciones de control de foco se dirigieron a la identificacion, notificacion y aislamiento de los enfermos. La edad promedio fue de 45 años, el cuadro clínico caracterizado por tos, disnea y astenia. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes (60 %) fueron hipertensión arterial, cardiopatia isquémica y diabetes mellitus, asintomaticos 53,3 % y tres fallecidos. La tasa de ataque fue de 5,5 %. Conclusiones: Los trabajadores más afectados son los médicos y las enfermeras. La oportunidad en las acciones del control de foco y la calidad en la investigacion epidemiológica son esenciales para lograr un control efectivo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The high transmission of COVID-19 has resulted in healthcare workers becoming infected while caring for patients and spreading the disease to other hospital patients or coworkers. Objective: To describe an in-hospital COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in March 2020 at the "General Calixto García Íñiguez" Clinical-Surgical University Hospital, Havana. The study included 545 individuals among patients and healthcare workers. The data was collected from the clinical-epidemiological profiles and the medical records. Each case was described using the following criteria: type of health worker, service provided, sex, signs, symptoms, and comorbidities. To determine the outbreak intensity, a contact matrix was created and the reproductive number and the dispersion value were calculated. Results: Of the 545 studied individuals, 30% were patients and 70% workers of seven services, 30 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Outbreak control actions were aimed at identifying, reporting and isolating sick individuals. The average age was 45 years. The clinical pictures was characterized by cough, dyspnea and asthenia. The most common comorbidities (60%) were hypertension, ischemic cardiopathology, and diabetes mellitus; 53.3% were asymptomatic and three people died. The attack rate was 5.5%. Conclusions: During the outbreak, medical doctors and nurses were the most affected. The timeliness of outbreak control actions and the quality of the epidemiological investigation are essential to ensure effective control.

Clinical-Epidemiological Characteristics of the First Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19 in Cuba.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, the same day that the first cases in Cuba were diagnosed. In Cuba, all confirmed cases of COVID-19 were hospitalized from this point forward. OBJECTIVE: Characterize the first patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Cuba. INTRODUCTION: METHODS We carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 415 suspected cases of COVID-19 admitted to the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute in Havana, Cuba, from March 11, 2020 through April 10, 2020. (In Cuba, all patients suspected of being COVID-19-positive were admitted to hospitals or isolation centers for observation and treatment.) Of these 415 individuals, 63 (15.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Information was obtained from the Institute's databases as well as a standardized interview form for cases confirmed or suspected as infected with the novel coronavirus. We considered the following variables: age, sex, occupation at the time of interview, national origin, personal health history, time elapsed between symptom onset and hospital admission, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and status at discharge. We based our analysis on frequency distributions and double-entry contingency tables. RESULTS: The mean age was 50 years (range: 16-94 years). The 45-54 age group represented the largest share of cases (25.4%; 16/63); persons aged ≥65 years were 20.6% (13/63); there were more men than women (55.6% vs. 44.4%). Cubans represented 52.4% (33/63) of patients while 47.6% (30/63) were from 14 countries where COVID-19 had already been identified. All foreigners and Cubans who arrived from abroad were considered imported cases (54.0%; 34/63). Health personnel (10 doctors and 1 nurse) represented 17.5% (11/63) of cases. Cough (50.8%), fever (46.0%), sore throat (22.2%) and headache (19.0%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Asymptomatic patients represented 25.4% (16/63) of cases. Hypertension was the most frequently associated chronic disease (28.6%), followed by asthma (25.0%) and diabetes (17.9%). Patients who were admitted to hospital ≥3 days after symptom onset represented 66.7% (42/63) of cases. Mean hospital stay was 13.7 days (range: 1-27 days). Factors associated with a higher risk of contracting the disease included occupation as a healthcare worker (OR: 1.85; 95%, CI: 0.88-3.87) and aged ≥65 years (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 0.85-3.34). Five individuals died, for a fatality rate of 7.9% (three foreigners and two Cubans; four men and one woman). Four of these patients were infected outside of Cuba and one was identified as a contact of a confirmed case. All patients who died had significant comorbidities (diabetes, asthma and hypertension). Age of deceased patients ranged from 54 to 87 years. CONCLUSION: The first patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Cuba were admitted to the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute in Havana. They share characteristics with those reported by other countries: more men than women were affected, and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes and asthma were all important risk factors, as was age ≥65 years. More than half of all cases were imported, and autochthonous patients were all contacts of confirmed cases.

Serotypic distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Chinese children under 5 years after the introduction of the 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine: protocol for a scoping review.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) be included in immunization programs worldwide. In China, the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PREVNAR 7®) was authorized in 2008 but was not included in the national immunization programs. In 2016, PREVNAR 13®, a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), was licensed for optional use in China. We will conduct a scoping review of the distribution of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children aged under 5 years in China since the introduction of PCV13. We will obtain data from PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Med Online. We will also review epidemiological data from WHO and the China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (CHINET). Our analysis will include the condition of interest, the intervention, and the geographical region. All types of studies will be eligible for inclusion in the study database if they meet the inclusion criteria. This scoping review is intended to outline how S. pneumoniae serotypes are distributed, and it will map their antimicrobial resistance in children aged under 5 years in China. The results of this study will provide useful information on the impact of PCV13 in China.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre la adherencia al lavado de manos en personal de salud / Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to the adherence of handwashing in health personnel

Introducción: El lavado de manos deficiente, sigue siendo un problema hospitalario. Cumplir con las recomendaciones internacionales ofrece seguridad en el cuidado. Objetivo: Identificar el nivel de conocimiento, actitudes y prácticas en la técnica del lavado de manos en personal de salud en un hospital pediátrico de La Habana. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo a 145 trabajadores (31,7 por ciento médicos, 35,2 por ciento enfermeros, 22,8 por ciento médicos residentes y 10,3 por ciento estudiantes). De 13 servicios el cuerpo de guardia, sala de respiratorio, cirugía, neurocirugía y quemados, fueron los que más participación tuvieron. El estudio se realizó en tres etapas: 1. Observación directa de la técnica del lavado de manos. 2. Observación de la calidad del lavado de manos mediante lámpara fluorescente. 3. Medida del conocimiento acerca del lavado de manos y actitud mediante encuesta. Resultados: En la primera etapa, el 51,7 por ciento calificó de inadecuado, en la segunda etapa el 64,8 por ciento también tuvo una evaluación inadecuada y en las encuestas, el conocimiento alcanzó solo 52,4 por ciento, considerado inapropiado. La actitud ante esta actividad fue calificada de inadecuado en el 53,1 por ciento, con un mejor porcentaje en el personal de enfermería. Conclusiones: Los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre el lavado de manos es deficiente, por lo que debe diseñarse un programa de capacitación en todos los niveles, sea pregrado, posgrado o formación continua, donde exista responsabilidad individual de cada profesional sanitario, y se insista en ello(AU)

Introduction: Deficient handwashing is still a problem in hospitals. The compliance of the international recommendations on this matter provides security in the care. Objective: To identify the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices in the technique of handwashing in a pediatric hospital in Havana. Methodology: Descriptive study applied to 145 workers (31.7 percent doctors, 35.2 percent nurses, 22.8 percent residents, and 10.3 percent students) of 13 services. Emergencies, Respiratory, Surgery, Neurosurgery and Caumatology were the services with more participation. The study was conducted in three stages: 1. Direct observation of the technique of handwashing. 2. Quality observation of the handwashing using fluorescent lamp. 3. Extent of knowledge on handwashing and attitudes through survey. Results: In the first stage, the 51.7 percent the handwashing was assessed as inappropriate, in the second stage the 64.8 percent was also evaluated as inadequate, and in the surveys, the 52.4 percent had an incorrect knowledge; the attitude towards this activity was described as inappropriate in the 53.1 percent , with a better percentage in the nursing staff. Conclusions: The knowledge, attitudes and practices on handwashing were poor, so it must be designed a training program at all levels, whether undergraduate, graduate or continuing training, where individual responsibility of each healthcare professional exists, and should be highlithed(AU)

La sostenibilidad de la vacunación y los movimientos antivacunas en tiempos del nuevo coronavirus / Vaccination Sustainability and Anti-Vaccine Movements in the Times of the New Coronavirus

Estimado editor: En la lucha contra las enfermedades infecciosas, la vacunación como herramienta indispensable de la salud pública ha permitido ganar diversas batallas en la erradicación y eliminación de enfermedades como la viruela y la poliomielitis, así como controlar otras, entre las que figuran el sarampión, la tosferina y el tétanos. Anualmente, la inmunización evita una cifra estimada de 2,5 millones de muertes entre niños menores de cinco años a nivel mundial, de ahí que la eficacia y seguridad de las vacunas sea incuestionable.1,2,3) En la medida que estos logros representan importantes avances, nos convertimos en "víctimas de nuestros éxitos".4 Hoy, en el contexto de la pandemia de la COVID-19, los programas de vacunación están sufriendo importantes caídas y demoras. De ahí la importancia de mantener altas coberturas de vacunación, para evitar la emergencia y reemergencia de estas enfermedades, algunas potencialmente graves o mortales. La Directora de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), Dra. Carissa F. Etienne expresó: "Las vacunas salvan vidas y deben mantenerse incluso durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Las personas más vulnerables no deben sufrir las consecuencias de no recibir las vacunas que necesitan". De ahí, que se insta a los países a que durante la pandemia mantengan los programas de vacunación contra la gripe y el sarampión y así evitar...(AU)

Evolución clínica de niño angolano con neurocisticercosis tratado en Cuba / Clinical evolution of an Angolan child with neurocysticercosis treated in Cuba

Introducción: se presenta por primera vez en el hospital un caso de neurocisticercosis. En el pasado era una enfermedad que solo ocurría en países en vías de desarrollo, ahora está apareciendo con mayor frecuencia en países desarrollados como Estados Unidos, Canadá y el Reino Unido. Es una enfermedad seria, en algunos casos puede ser mortal, aunque generalmente se puede prevenir y controlar. Se identifica un caso complejo no habitual en Cuba. Presentación del caso: paciente angolano, de 9 años de edad, con antecedentes de salud, que hace 2 meses en su país presentó un cuadro de fiebre, vómitos, convulsiones, hiperestesia y somnolencia. Posteriormente comenzó con trastorno de la conciencia dado por cuadro confusional, crisis epiléptica tónico clónicas generalizadas, y es enviado a Cuba a descartar tumor o absceso cerebral. Conclusiones: en el paciente evaluado hubo manifestaciones clínicas que podían responder a varias enfermedades neurológicas, pero los antecedentes epidemiológicos, los hallazgos en la resonancia magnética y la respuesta inmediata ante los antiparasitarios, resultaron definitivos para el diagnóstico de neurocisticercosis(AU)

Introduction: a case of neurocysticercosis is presented for the first time in the hospital. In the past it was a disease that only occurred in developing countries, now it is appearing more frequently in developed countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is a serious disease, in some cases it can be fatal, although it can usually be prevented and controlled. A complex case, not usual in Cuba is identified. Case presentation: Angolan patient, 9 years old, with health history, whom 2 months ago in his country presented symptoms of fever, vomiting, seizures, hyperesthesia and drowsiness. Later, he presented a disorder of consciousness due to confusional symptoms, generalized tonic-clonic epileptic crisis, and he was sent to Cuba to rule out a tumor or brain abscess. Conclusions: in the evaluated patient there were clinical manifestations that could respond to several neurological diseases, but the epidemiological antecedents, the findings in the magnetic resonance and the immediate response to the antiparasitic drugs were crucial for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis(AU)

Guía para la asistencia integral a pacientes con dengue / Guide for comprehensive care to patients with dengue

Este documento coordinado por el doctor Otto Pelaez Sánchez, fue elaborado tomando como referencia las Guías prácticas para la asistencia integral al dengue, elaborado por los doctores Francisco Zamora Ubieta, Osvaldo Castro Peraza, Daniel González Rubio, Eric Martínez Torres y Álvaro Sosa Acosta, en el año 2006, y Dengue. Guías de atención para enfermos en la región de las Américas, publicado por la OPS en la Paz, Bolivia, en el año 2010. Además se incluyen modificaciones propuestas por el equipo de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, donde se realizó el proceso de validación de lo que hoy es la Guía para la asistencia integral a pacientes con dengue.

Evaluación de algunos atributos del subsistema de vigilancia de la meningoencefalitis bacteriana en dos hospitales de La Habana, 2006 / Evaluation of some attributes of the surveillance system of bacterial meningoencephalitis in two hospitals of La Habana, 2006

Los síndromes neurológicos bacterianos son un problema de salud mundial, y la vigilancia constituye un pilar importante para su prevención y control. Se evaluó el subsistema de vigilancia de las meningoencefalitis bacterianas en dos hospitales de La Habana en el año 2006. Para esto se seleccionaron atributos cualitativos del sistema, como la simplicidad, la aceptabilidad y la flexibilidad, y atributos cuantitativos como la sensibilidad, el valor predictivo positivo y la oportunidad. Los atributos fueron seleccionados mediante consulta de expertos, criterios, indicadores y estándares. Se emplearon técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas de obtención de información, tales como la revisión documental, la entrevista y la encuesta. Los principales resultados cualitativos fueron buena aceptabilidad, flexibilidad y simplicidad. Los atributos cuantitativos no detectaron los casos verdaderamente enfermos, particularmente el sistema de información directa y el sistema de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria, que fueron evaluados de inadecuados por presentar cifras por debajo del estándar establecido. Al momento del estudio existían deficiencias en algunos de los atributos evaluados, por lo que debe considerarse su solución y perfeccionamiento.

The bacterial neurologic syndromes are a worldwide health problem and surveillance is an important pillar for its prevention and control. The surveillance subsystem of bacterial meningoencephalitis was evaluated in two hospital of La Habana in 2006. For that reason the qualitative attributes of system were selected including its simplicity, acceptability and flexibility and also quantitative attributes including sensitivity, the positive predictive value and the chance, all above mentioned attributes were selected by expert's consultation, criteria, indicators and standards. Authors used the qualitative and quantitative techniques to obtain information including documentary review, interviews and survey. The main qualitative results were a good acceptation, flexibility and simplicity. The quantitative attributes not detected the patients really diseased, particularly the direct information system and the obligatory declaration of death system, qualified as inappropriate because of the figures under the established standard. At study here were some deficiencies in some of the evaluated attributes, thus, it is necessary to consider its solution and improvement.

Evaluación de algunos atributos del subsistema de vigilancia de la meningoencefalitis bacteriana en dos hospitales de La Habana, 2006 / Evaluation of some attributes of the surveillance system of bacterial meningoencephalitis in two hospitals of La Habana, 2006

Los síndromes neurológicos bacterianos son un problema de salud mundial, y la vigilancia constituye un pilar importante para su prevención y control. Se evaluó el subsistema de vigilancia de las meningoencefalitis bacterianas en dos hospitales de La Habana en el año 2006. Para esto se seleccionaron atributos cualitativos del sistema, como la simplicidad, la aceptabilidad y la flexibilidad, y atributos cuantitativos como la sensibilidad, el valor predictivo positivo y la oportunidad. Los atributos fueron seleccionados mediante consulta de expertos, criterios, indicadores y estándares. Se emplearon técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas de obtención de información, tales como la revisión documental, la entrevista y la encuesta. Los principales resultados cualitativos fueron buena aceptabilidad, flexibilidad y simplicidad. Los atributos cuantitativos no detectaron los casos verdaderamente enfermos, particularmente el sistema de información directa y el sistema de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria, que fueron evaluados de inadecuados por presentar cifras por debajo del estándar establecido. Al momento del estudio existían deficiencias en algunos de los atributos evaluados, por lo que debe considerarse su solución y perfeccionamiento(AU)

The bacterial neurologic syndromes are a worldwide health problem and surveillance is an important pillar for its prevention and control. The surveillance subsystem of bacterial meningoencephalitis was evaluated in two hospital of La Habana in 2006. For that reason the qualitative attributes of system were selected including its simplicity, acceptability and flexibility and also quantitative attributes including sensitivity, the positive predictive value and the chance, all above mentioned attributes were selected by expert's consultation, criteria, indicators and standards. Authors used the qualitative and quantitative techniques to obtain information including documentary review, interviews and survey. The main qualitative results were a good acceptation, flexibility and simplicity. The quantitative attributes not detected the patients really diseased, particularly the direct information system and the obligatory declaration of death system, qualified as inappropriate because of the figures under the established standard. At study here were some deficiencies in some of the evaluated attributes, thus, it is necessary to consider its solution and improvement(AU)

Evaluación de algunos atributos del subsistema de vigilancia de la meningoencefalitis bacteriana en dos hospitales de Ciudad de La Habana en el año 2006 / Assessment of some attributes of surveillance sub-system of bacterial meningoencephalitis in two hospital of La Habana, 2006

Los síndromes neurológicos bacterianos constituyen un problema de salud mundial, y es la vigilancia un pilar importante para su prevención y control. Se evaluó el subsistema de vigilancia de la meningoencefalitis bacteriana en dos hospitales de Ciudad de La Habana en el año 2006. Para esto se seleccionaron atributos cualitativos del sistema, como la simplicidad, la aceptabilidad y la flexibilidad; y los cuantitativos, como la sensibilidad, el valor predictivo positivo y la oportunidad. Se crearon mediante consulta de expertos criterios, indicadores y estándares. Se emplearon técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas de obtención de información, tales como la revisión documental, la entrevista y la encuesta. Los principales resultados fueron una buena aceptabilidad, flexibilidad y simplicidad; pero no correspondieron en igual medida a los atributos cuantitativos, que fueron poco capaces de detectar los casos verdaderamente enfermos, ni la alarmante dificultad en la oportunidad para el sistema de información directa (SID) y el sistema de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria (EDO), los que fueron evaluados de inadecuados, ya que se identificaron cifras por debajo del estándar establecido. Finalmente, se consideró que al momento del estudio existían deficiencias en algunos de los atributos evaluados, por lo que deben tenerse en cuenta para su solución y perfeccionamiento.

Bacterial neurological syndromes are a world health problem and surveillance is important pillar for its prevention and control. The surveillance subsystem of bacterial meningocephalitis was assessed in two hospital of Ciudad de La Habana in 2006. Thus, qualitative attributes of system were selected including simplicity, acceptability and flexibility and the quantitative ones included the positive predictive value and the chance. To collect information qualitative and quantitative techniques were used including the documentary review, interview and survey. The main results were a good acceptability, flexibility and simplicity but neither corresponding in the same measure to quantitative attributes, which were able to detect really ills nor the alarming difficulty in the opportunity for the Direct Information System (DIS) and the obligatory statement diseases system (OSD) assessed as inappropriate since there were figures below the established standard. Finally, at moment of study there were deficiencies in some the assessed attributes, thus, it is necessary to take them into account for its solution and improvement.

Evaluación de algunos atributos del subsistema de vigilancia de la meningoencefalitis bacteriana en dos hospitales de Ciudad de La Habana en el año 2006 / Assessment of some attributes of surveillance sub-system of bacterial meningoencephalitis in two hospital of La Habana, 2006

Los síndromes neurológicos bacterianos constituyen un problema de salud mundial, y es la vigilancia un pilar importante para su prevención y control. Se evaluó el subsistema de vigilancia de la meningoencefalitis bacteriana en dos hospitales de Ciudad de La Habana en el año 2006. Para esto se seleccionaron atributos cualitativos del sistema, como la simplicidad, la aceptabilidad y la flexibilidad; y los cuantitativos, como la sensibilidad, el valor predictivo positivo y la oportunidad. Se crearon mediante consulta de expertos criterios, indicadores y estándares. Se emplearon técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas de obtención de información, tales como la revisión documental, la entrevista y la encuesta. Los principales resultados fueron una buena aceptabilidad, flexibilidad y simplicidad; pero no correspondieron en igual medida a los atributos cuantitativos, que fueron poco capaces de detectar los casos verdaderamente enfermos, ni la alarmante dificultad en la oportunidad para el sistema de información directa (SID) y el sistema de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria (EDO), los que fueron evaluados de inadecuados, ya que se identificaron cifras por debajo del estándar establecido. Finalmente, se consideró que al momento del estudio existían deficiencias en algunos de los atributos evaluados, por lo que deben tenerse en cuenta para su solución y perfeccionamiento(AU)

Bacterial neurological syndromes are a world health problem and surveillance is important pillar for its prevention and control. The surveillance subsystem of bacterial meningocephalitis was assessed in two hospital of Ciudad de La Habana in 2006. Thus, qualitative attributes of system were selected including simplicity, acceptability and flexibility and the quantitative ones included the positive predictive value and the chance. To collect information qualitative and quantitative techniques were used including the documentary review, interview and survey. The main results were a good acceptability, flexibility and simplicity but neither corresponding in the same measure to quantitative attributes, which were able to detect really ills nor the alarming difficulty in the opportunity for the Direct Information System (DIS) and the obligatory statement diseases system (OSD) assessed as inappropriate since there were figures below the established standard. Finally, at moment of study there were deficiencies in some the assessed attributes, thus, it is necessary to take them into account for its solution and improvement(AU)