[Proposal for a summary index of the non-pharmacological preventive measures adopted against SARS-CoV-2 in companies, the case of Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona).] / Propuesta de un índice que resume las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas adoptadas frente al SARS-CoV-2 en las empresas, el caso del Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona).

INTRODUCTION: Construct a numerical index of non-pharmacological preventive measures against Sars-CoV-2 based on the experience of Parc de Salut Mar (PSMar), a healthcare institution in Barcelona. METHOD: The construction of the index was carried out in three phases. The identification and selection of the variables to be included based on semi-structured interviews with key informants and documental revision. The definition of the dimensions (consisting of one or more variables) and, finally, the operationalisation of the index on the basis of these dimensions. The index was estimated in the PSMar, and in its two main centres, the Hospital del Mar and the Hospital de la Esperanza. RESULTS: Twenty-one variables were identified and categorised into six dimensions: personal protective equipment, individual organisational measures, collective organisational measures, epidemiological surveillance measures, training activities and protocol development. During the first wave, the Hospital del Mar index remained above the value obtained at the Hospital de la Esperanza, while in the second wave both indexes showed similar values until week 36, when the Hospital del Mar index began to show higher values. These oscillations were mainly due to the dimensions of personal protective equipment and training activities. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed index shows the difficulties in implementing the various non-pharmacological preventive measures in the first weeks of the pandemic. This tool can be useful for evaluating the activities carried out by the Occupational Risk Prevention Services in the face of the pandemic, with the appropriate adaptations to the reality of each individual company.

Introducción: Construir un índice numérico con las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas frente a Sars-CoV-2 a partir de la experiencia del Parc de Salut Mar (PSMar), una institución sanitaria en Barcelona. Método: La construcción del índice se ha realizado en tres fases. La identificación y selección de las variables incluidas a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas a informantes clave y la revisión documental. La definición de las dimensiones (con una o más variables) y la operacionalización del índice (a partir de las dimensiones). Se ha estimado el índice en el PSMar, y en sus dos principales centros, el Hospital del Mar y el Hospital de la Esperanza. Resultados: Se identificaron 21 variables, clasificadas en 6 dimensiones: equipos de protección individual, medidas organizativas individuales, medidas organizativas colectivas, medidas de vigilancia epidemiológica, actividades formativas, y elaboración de protocolos. Durante la primera ola, el índice en el Hospital del Mar se mantuvo por encima del valor obtenido en el Hospital de la Esperanza; en la segunda ola ambos índices presentaron valores similares hasta la semana 36, cuando el hospital del Mar comenzó a presentar valores superiores. Estas oscilaciones se debieron principalmente a los equipos de protección individual y actividades formativas. Conclusiones: El índice propuesto muestra las dificultades para aplicar las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas en las primeras semanas de la pandemia. Esta herramienta puede ser útil para evaluar las actividades desarrolladas frente a la pandemia por parte de los Servicios de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, con las oportunas adaptaciones a la realidad de cada empresa.

Slc11a1 (formerly Nramp1) and susceptibility to canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis is the most important zoonosis in Europe and it is caused by Leishmania infantum, a protozoan intracellular parasite. Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, Middle East, and South America, and is emerging within non endemic areas such as the United Kingdom and North America. We have analyzed 24 polymorphisms in the canine Slc11a1 (formerly NRAMP1) gene: 19 new polymorphisms characterized by direct sequencing from 40 dogs of different breeds and five polymorphisms previously described. Data analysis in a case-control study including 164 dogs of 19 different breeds revealed that two of the 24 polymorphisms were associated with increased risk for CVL: one intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (A4549G in intron 6: odds ratio (OR) = 6.78, P = 0.001) and one silent SNP in exon 8 (C4859T: OR = 13.44, P = 0.004). In silico analysis of the significant SNP revealed that SNP in the promoter region affect putative transcription binding sites and SNP C4859T in exon 8 disrupts a putative exonic splicing enhancer (ESE). These results corroborate that Slc11a1 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk for CVL.