Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness against Hospitalization, Season 2021/22: A Test-Negative Design Study in Barcelona.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is considered the most effective measure for preventing influenza and its complications. The influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) varies annually due to the evolution of influenza viruses and the update of vaccine composition. Assessing the IVE is crucial to facilitate decision making in public health policies. AIM: to estimate the IVE against hospitalization and its determinants in the 2021/22 season in a Spanish tertiary hospital. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational test-negative design study within the Development of Robust and Innovative Vaccine Effectiveness (DRIVE) project. Hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and an available influenza reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were selected and classified as cases (positive influenza RT-PCR) or controls (negative influenza RT-PCR). Vaccine information was obtained from electronic clinical records shared by public healthcare providers. Information about potential confounders was obtained from hospital clinical registries. The IVE was calculated by subtracting the ratio of the odds of vaccination in cases and controls from one, as a percentage (IVE = (1 - odds ratio (OR)) × 100). Multivariate IVE estimates were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 260 severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) were identified, of which 34 were positive for influenza, and all were subtype A(H3N2). Fifty-three percent were vaccinated. Adjusted IVE against hospitalization was 26.4% (95% CI -69% to 112%). IVE determinants could not be explored due to sample size limitations. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed non-significant moderate vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization for the 2021/2022 season.

Impacto de la vacunación de las embarazadas frente a la tosferina en las hospitalizaciones de menores de un año en un hospital de tercer nivel de Cataluña / Impact of vaccinating pregnant women against pertussis on hospitalizations of children under one year of age in a tertiary hospital in Catalonia

Introducción: La recomendación de la vacunación frente a la tosferina en embarazadas se instauró en Cataluña en febrero del 2014. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar la tasa de hospitalización por tosferina en niños menores de un año de edad antes y después de la implantación del programa de vacunación. Métodos: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo de pacientes menores de un año ingresados con diagnóstico de tosferina. Se comparó la tasa de hospitalización del periodo previo al programa de vacunación (2008-2013) con la del periodo con programa de vacunación (2014-2019) en el total de menores de un año y en 2subgrupos: en menores de 3 meses y en lactantes de 3 a 11 meses. Resultados: La tasa de hospitalización fue significativamente menor en el periodo con programa de vacunación en menores de un año y en menores de 3 meses (2,43 vs. 4,72 por 1.000 personas-año y 6,47 vs. 13,11 por 1.000 personas-año, respectivamente). Las razones de tasas entre períodos fueron: 0,51 (IC del 95%, 0,36-0,73) para los menores de un año; 0,49 (IC del 95%, 0,32-0,75) para los menores de 3 meses y 0,56 (IC del 95%, 0,30-1,03) para los de 3-11 meses. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la gravedad de los cuadros clínicos de los pacientes entre ambos periodos. Conclusión: La instauración del programa de vacunación contra la tosferina en embarazadas se ha asociado a una menor tasa de hospitalización por tosferina de forma global en los menores de un año de edad y específicamente en los menores de 3 meses.(AU)

Introduction: The recommendation for pertussis vaccination in pregnancy was established in Catalonia in February 2014. The objective of this study was to compare the hospitalization rate for pertussis in children under one year of age before and after the implementation of the vaccination program. Methods: Observational and retrospective study of patients under one year of age admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of pertussis. The hospitalization rate of patients under one year of age of the period prior to the vaccination program (2008-2013) was compared with the period with vaccination program (2014-2019) in the total of children under one year of age and in 2subgroups: children under 3 months and between 3-11 months. Results: Hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the period with vaccination program in children under one year of age and specifically in children under 3 months (2.43 vs. 4.72 per 1,000 person-years and 6.47 vs. 13.11 per 1,000 person-years, respectively). The rate ratios were: 0.51 (95% CI 0.36-0.73) for children under one year of age; 0.49 (95% CI 0.32-0.75) for those younger than 3 months and 0.56 (95% CI 0.30-1.03) for those with 3-11 months. No statistically significant differences were observed in the clinical severity between both periods. Conclusion: The introduction of the pertussis vaccination program in pregnancy was associated with a global lower hospitalization rate for pertussis in children under one year of age and specifically in those under 3 months of age.(AU)

Rapid diagnostic tests and ELISA for diagnosing chronic Chagas disease: Systematic revision and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic validity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) among individuals with suspected chronic Chagas Disease (CD). METHODOLOGY: A search was made for studies with ELISA and RDT assays validity estimates as eligibility criteria, published between 2010 and 2020 on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and LILACS. This way, we extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias and applicability of the studies using the QUADAS-2 tool. The bivariate random effects model was also used to estimate the overall sensitivity and specificity through forest-plots, ROC space, and we visually assessed the heterogeneity between studies. Meta-regressions were made using subgroup analysis. We used Deeks' test to assess the risk of publication bias. RESULTS: 43 studies were included; 27 assessed ELISA tests; 14 assessed RDTs; and 2 assessed ELISA and RDTs, against different reference standards. 51.2 % of them used a non-comparative observational design, and 46.5 % a comparative clinical design ("case-control" type). High risk of bias was detected for patient screening and reference standard. The ELISA tests had a sensitivity of 99% (95% CI: 98-99) and a specificity of 98% (95% CI: 97-99); whereas the Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) had values of 95% (95% CI: 94-97) and 97% (95% CI: 96-98), respectively. Deeks' test showed asymmetry on the ELISA assays. CONCLUSIONS: ELISA and RDT tests have high validity for diagnosing chronic Chagas disease. The analysis of these two types of evidence in this systematic review and meta-analysis constitutes an input for their use. The limitations included the difficulty in extracting data due to the lack of information in the articles, and the comparative clinical-type design of some studies.

Impact of vaccinating pregnant women against pertussis on hospitalizations of children under one year of age in a tertiary hospital in Catalonia.

INTRODUCTION: The recommendation for pertussis vaccination in pregnancy was established in Catalonia in February 2014. The objective of this study was to compare the hospitalisation rate for pertussis in children under one year of age before and after the implementation of the vaccination programme. METHODS: Observational and retrospective study of patients under one year of age admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of pertussis. The hospitalisation rate of patients under one year of age of the period prior to the vaccination programme (2008-2013) was compared with the period with vaccination programme (2014-2019) in the total of children under one year of age and in 2 subgroups: children under 3 months and between 3-11 months. RESULTS: Hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the period with vaccination programme in children under one year of age and specifically in children under 3 months (2.43 vs. 4.72 per 1000 person-years and 6.47 vs. 13.11 per 1000 person-years, respectively). The rate ratios were: 0.51 (95% CI 0.36-0.73) for children under one year of age; 0.49 (95% CI 0.32-0.75) for those younger than 3 months and 0.56 (95% CI 0.30-1.03) for those with 3-11 months. No statistically significant differences were observed in the clinical severity between both periods. CONCLUSION: The introduction of the pertussis vaccination programme in pregnancy was associated with a global lower hospitalisation rate for pertussis in children under one year of age and specifically in those under 3 months of age.

Sensitivity and Specificity of two rapid tests for the diagnosis of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in a Colombian population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic precision of two rapid diagnostic tests (RDT's) on patients with chronic Chagas disease. METHODOLOGY: Prospective study with the following inclusion criteria: subjects older than 3 years, signed informed consent. Exclusion criterion: subjects could not have previously received treatment for infection with T. cruzi. The study population were participants in a screening process undertaken in rural and urban zones of the department Boyacá, Colombia. Two RDT's were performed to all participants: the Chagas Detect Plus InBios (CDP) and the Chagas Stat-Pak (CSP) and as a reference standard the ELISA Chagas III GrupoBios and the Chagas ELISA IgG+IgM I Vircell tests were used. In the case of discordant results between the two ELISA tests, an indirect immunofluorescence was done. RESULTS: Three hundred-five (305) subjects were included in the study (38 patients with leishmaniasis), of which 215 tested negative for T cruzi and 90 tested positive according to the reference standard. The sensitivity of the RDT's were 100% (CI 95% 95.9-100), and the specificity of the CDP was 99.1% (CI 95% 96.6-99.8) and for CSP was 100% (CI 95% 98.3-100). The agreement of CDP was 99.5% and for CSP was 100% with Kappa values of (k = 99.1; CI 95% 92.6-99.8%) and (k = 100; CI 95% 94.3-100), respectively. RDT's did not present cross-reactions with samples from patients who were positive for leishmaniasis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate excellent results from the RDT's in terms of validity, safety, and reproducibility. The results obtained provide evidence for the recommendation for using these tests in a Colombian epidemiological context principally in endemic areas in which laboratory installations necessary to perform conventional tests are not available, or they are scarce and to help in diagnosing chronic Chagas disease in order to provide access to treatment as soon as possible.

Impact of vaccinating pregnant women against pertussis on hospitalizations of children under one year of age in a tertiary hospital in Catalonia. / Impacto de la vacunación de las embarazadas frente a la tosferina en las hospitalizaciones de menores de un año en un hospital de tercer nivel de Cataluña.

INTRODUCTION: The recommendation for pertussis vaccination in pregnancy was established in Catalonia in February 2014. The objective of this study was to compare the hospitalization rate for pertussis in children under one year of age before and after the implementation of the vaccination program. METHODS: Observational and retrospective study of patients under one year of age admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of pertussis. The hospitalization rate of patients under one year of age of the period prior to the vaccination program (2008-2013) was compared with the period with vaccination program (2014-2019) in the total of children under one year of age and in 2subgroups: children under 3 months and between 3-11 months. RESULTS: Hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the period with vaccination program in children under one year of age and specifically in children under 3 months (2.43 vs. 4.72 per 1,000 person-years and 6.47 vs. 13.11 per 1,000 person-years, respectively). The rate ratios were: 0.51 (95% CI 0.36-0.73) for children under one year of age; 0.49 (95% CI 0.32-0.75) for those younger than 3 months and 0.56 (95% CI 0.30-1.03) for those with 3-11 months. No statistically significant differences were observed in the clinical severity between both periods. CONCLUSION: The introduction of the pertussis vaccination program in pregnancy was associated with a global lower hospitalization rate for pertussis in children under one year of age and specifically in those under 3 months of age.

Infecciones por Mycobacterium chimaera y cirugía cardíaca. Un problema no resuelto / Infections with Mycobacterium chimaera and open chest surgery. An unresolved problem

Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera) es una micobacteria no tuberculosa del complejo Mycobacterium avium complex. Desde 2013 hasta abril de 2018 se han identificado más de 140 casos de infección grave por M. chimaera, todos ellos en pacientes sometidos a cirugía cardiotorácica con circulación extracorpórea. Las investigaciones epidemiológicas han mostrado que la mayoría de las infecciones tienen una fuente común: módulos de normo-hipotermia contaminados. Estos aparatos poseen en su interior un circuito de agua y ventiladores de enfriamiento que producen un aerosol, que puede contener M. chimaera, contaminar el aire del quirófano y transmitirse al paciente. La sintomatología clínica puede tardar meses, incluso años, en aparecer tras la cirugía extracorpórea, con una media de 1,5 años, y en general se presenta en forma de síntomas constitucionales. La sarcoidosis es la entidad descrita con mayor frecuencia como error diagnóstico en estos pacientes, por lo que es necesario mantener una elevada sospecha diagnóstica en todos aquellos pacientes con antecedente de cirugía cardíaca con circulación extracorpórea

Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera) is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium of the Mycobacterium avium complex. Between 2013 and April 2018, more than 140 cases of severe infection have been identified, all of them in patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery with extracorporeal circulation. The epidemiological investigations have shown that the majority of infections have a common source: contaminated normo-hypothermia modules. These devices have a water circuit inside and cooling fans that produce an aerosol, which can be contaminated with M. chimaera, and disperse it into the air in the operating room. The clinical symptoms can take months, even years to appear after the extracorporeal surgery, with an average of 1.5 years. Sarcoidosis is the most frequently described entity as a misdiagnosis in these patients, so it is necessary to maintain a high diagnostic suspicion in all patients with a history of cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation

Infections with Mycobacterium chimaera and open chest surgery. An unresolved problem. / Infecciones por Mycobacterium chimaera y cirugía cardíaca. Un problema no resuelto.

Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera) is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium of the Mycobacterium avium complex. Between 2013 and April 2018, more than 140 cases of severe infection have been identified, all of them in patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery with extracorporeal circulation. The epidemiological investigations have shown that the majority of infections have a common source: contaminated normo-hypothermia modules. These devices have a water circuit inside and cooling fans that produce an aerosol, which can be contaminated with M. chimaera, and disperse it into the air in the operating room. The clinical symptoms can take months, even years to appear after the extracorporeal surgery, with an average of 1.5 years. Sarcoidosis is the most frequently described entity as a misdiagnosis in these patients, so it is necessary to maintain a high diagnostic suspicion in all patients with a history of cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation.

Cobertura vacunal frente a tos ferina en gestantes de Cataluña en el primer año de implantación del programa de inmunización / Vaccination coverage against pertussis in pregnant women of Catalonia in the first year of implementation of the immunisation program

Introducción: La reemergencia de la tos ferina y la gravedad de sus complicaciones en lactantes menores de 3 meses de edad determinó el inicio del programa de vacunación de las mujeres embarazadas en el tercer trimestre de gestación, en Cataluña en febrero del 2014, la primera comunidad autónoma que la introdujo de España. El objetivo del estudio fue estimar la cobertura del programa en su primer año de implementación. Métodos: Se analizaron de forma retrospectiva los registros médicos informatizados de los Centros de Atención Primaria de embarazadas atendidas en centros de Asistencia de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva del área Metropolita Nord de la provincia de Barcelona, dependientes del Institut Català de la Salut. Se estimó la cobertura global y según variables sociodemográficas de vacunación con dTpa de las mujeres que tenían registrado un parto de un recién nacido vivo entre agosto del 2014 y agosto del 2015. Resultados: Se registraron 6.697 partos de nacidos vivos y 1.713 mujeres embarazadas fueron vacunadas, lo que representó una cobertura global del 25,6% (IC del 95%: 24,1-26,1). La cobertura de vacunación fue mayor en las mujeres embarazadas menores de 18 años y las nativas (p=0,018 y p=0,036, respectivamente). Conclusión: La estimación de cobertura vacunal frente a tos ferina de embarazadas en el tercer trimestre de gestación, tras el primer año de implementación del programa en un área sanitaria de Cataluña, ha resultado inferior al objetivo marcado. Será necesario diseñar estrategias dirigidas a mejorar la cobertura del programa (AU)

Introduction: The re-emergence of pertussis and the severity of its complications in infants younger than 3 months, were determining factors for starting a vaccination program for pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation in Catalonia in February 2014. This was the first autonomous community to introduce it in Spain. The aim of the study was to estimate the coverage of the program in its first year of implementation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data from the Primary Care Centre computerised medical records of pregnant women attending Sexual and Reproductive Health Care centres of the Metropolitan Nord area of the province of Barcelona, part of the Catalan Institute of Health. The overall coverage was estimated, as well as the sociodemographic variables of Tdap vaccination of women who had registered a delivery of a live birth between August 2014 and August 2015. Results: A total of 6,697 deliveries of live births were recorded, and 1,713 pregnant women were vaccinated, which represented an overall coverage of 25.6% (95% CI; 24.1-26.1). Vaccination coverage was higher in pregnant women under 18 years and Spanish women (P=.018 and P=.036, respectively). Conclusion: The estimation of vaccine coverage against pertussis in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, after the first year of implementation of the program in a health area of Catalonia was lower than the objective set. Strategies need to be designed in order to improve program coverage (AU)

Vaccination coverage against pertussis in pregnant women of Catalonia in the first year of implementation of the immunisation program. / Cobertura vacunal frente a tos ferina en gestantes de Cataluña en el primer año de implantación del programa de inmunización.

INTRODUCTION: The re-emergence of pertussis and the severity of its complications in infants younger than 3 months, were determining factors for starting a vaccination program for pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation in Catalonia in February 2014. This was the first autonomous community to introduce it in Spain. The aim of the study was to estimate the coverage of the program in its first year of implementation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data from the Primary Care Centre computerised medical records of pregnant women attending Sexual and Reproductive Health Care centres of the Metropolitan Nord area of the province of Barcelona, part of the Catalan Institute of Health. The overall coverage was estimated, as well as the sociodemographic variables of Tdap vaccination of women who had registered a delivery of a live birth between August 2014 and August 2015. RESULTS: A total of 6,697 deliveries of live births were recorded, and 1,713 pregnant women were vaccinated, which represented an overall coverage of 25.6% (95% CI; 24.1-26.1). Vaccination coverage was higher in pregnant women under 18 years and Spanish women (P=.018 and P=.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: The estimation of vaccine coverage against pertussis in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, after the first year of implementation of the program in a health area of Catalonia was lower than the objective set. Strategies need to be designed in order to improve program coverage.

Consumo de tabaco y exposición al humo ambiental en los participantes del Día Mundial sin Tabaco tras la reforma de la Ley para la prevención y control del tabaquismo / Smoking consumption and exposure to environmental smoke in the participants of the World No Tobacco Day after the reform of the Law for the prevention and control of smoking

Objetivo. Analizar en los participantes del Día Mundial sin Tabaco del Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron la prevalencia de consumo y la exposición al humo de tabaco antes y después de la Ley 42/2010 para la prevención del tabaquismo. Métodos. Estudio de prevalencia de tabaquismo en 2.809 participantes del Día Mundial sin Tabaco. El consumo de tabaco se estimó mediante encuestas y la exposición al humo ambiental del tabaco mediante carboximetría. Resultados. La proporción de fumadores disminuyó de un 37,4 a un 32% (p = 0,002) y la de no fumadores que se declaraban expuestos al humo del tabaco de un 45,7 a un 23,2% (p = 0,002). La mediana de CO espirado en no fumadores expuestos disminuyeron de 1 (p25-75: 0-2) a 0 (p25-75: 0-2) (p = 0,001). Conclusiones. Coincidiendo con la modificación de la Ley, se ha producido un descenso significativo de la prevalencia de fumadores y de la exposición al humo del tabaco (AU)

Objective. To analyze tobacco consumption and exposure to second hand smoke in participants of the World Smoke-free Day before and after a smoke free regulation. Methods. Annual prevalence study in 2,809 participants of the annual World Smoke-free Day. Tobacco consumption was estimated with polls and the exposure to secondhand smoke with carboxímeters. Results. The proportion of smokers lowered from 37.4% to 32% (p = 0.002) and the non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke tobacco from 45.7% to 23.2% (p = 0.002). The CO levels in exposed nonsmokers decreased from 1 (p25-75: 0-2) to 0 (p25-75: 0-2) (p = 0.001). Conclusions. The proportion of smokers and the exposure to secondhand smoke significantly decrease after the smoke-free regulation (AU)

Cost-benefit of the introduction of new strategies for vaccination against pertussis in Spain: cocooning and pregnant vaccination strategies.

BACKGROUND: Pertussis remains a public health problem in countries with high vaccination coverage. Classic vaccination approaches have failed to effectively control the infection. The incidence of pertussis hospitalizations in infants is high, especially in those younger than 3 months who are in high risk of a severe disease and death. Additional strategies are recommended for short-term protection of this vulnerable population. In this study, we estimated the impact of 2 strategies for pertussis prevention in infants younger than 1 year of age-a cocoon vaccination strategy and the vaccination of pregnant women (VPW)-and the cost-benefit of these approaches relative to the current vaccination policy in Spain. METHODS: A cost-benefit analysis was conducted from the perspective of the publically-funded Spanish healthcare system, based on the yearly number of hospitalizations during the period of 2009 to 2011. We calculated the absolute risk reduction, the number of parents that would need to be vaccinated to prevent 1 hospitalization or death in infants <1 year, and the net benefit-to-cost ratio of each strategy. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2011, the incidence of pertussis in Spain was 153.44 hospitalizations per 100,000 infants <1 year. The absolute risk reduction for hospitalization would be 42.1/100,000 with cocooning and 75.2/100,000 with VPW. The number of parents needed to vaccinate with the cocoon strategy to prevent 1 pertussis hospitalization would be 4752 and to prevent 1 death, more than 900,000. With VPW, 1331 pregnant women would have to be vaccinated to prevent 1 hospitalization and 200,000 to prevent 1 death. The benefit-to-cost ratio was 0.04 for cocooning and 0.15 for VPW.

Hospitalización por tos ferina en España (1997-2011) / Hospitalization due to whooping cough in Spain (1997-2011)

INTRODUCCIÓN: La tos ferina ha aumentado su incidencia en los últimos años en países con elevadas coberturas de vacunación. El objetivo del estudio ha sido conocer el impacto sanitario de la tos ferina en España en el período 1997-2011 en relación con hospitalizaciones, la mortalidad y los costes asociados. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron de forma retrospectiva las altas hospitalarias incluidas en el Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD) en España del periodo 1997-2011, con diagnóstico principal o secundarios relacionados con tos ferina. Se calcularon las tasas de incidencia de hospitalización por tos ferina (por 100.000 habitantes) por año, por grupo de edad y por comunidad autónoma, así como las tasas de mortalidad y de letalidad. RESULTADOS: Entre 1997 y 2011 se registraron en España 8.331 altas hospitalarias con diagnóstico de tos ferina. La incidencia global de hospitalizaciones por tos ferina fue de 1,3 casos por 100.000 habitantes. El 92% de las hospitalizaciones correspondieron a niños menores de un año de edad, con una incidencia de 115,2 hospitalizaciones por 100.000 nacidos. Se registraron 47 defunciones, 37 (79%) en el grupo de menores de un año y 6 (13%) en el grupo de mayores de 65 años. El coste estimado de una hospitalización por tos ferina fue de 1.841 euros. CONCLUSIÓN: La epidemiología de los casos graves de tos ferina y su impacto clínico y económico confirman la necesidad de modificar las estrategias de vacunación en España para lograr un control más efectivo en los grupos más vulnerables

INTRODUCTION: Pertussis incidence has increased in recent years in countries with high vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to determine the health impact of pertussis in Spain in the period 1997-2011 in relation to hospitalizations, mortality, and associated costs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed hospital discharges included in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) in Spain for the period 1997-2011, with a primary or secondary diagnosis related to pertussis. We calculated incidence rates of hospitalization for pertussis (per 100,000) per year, by age group and by Autonomous Region, along with the mortality and lethality rates. RESULTS: A total of 8,331 hospital discharges with a diagnosis of pertussis were recorded in Spain between 1997 and 2011. The overall incidence of pertussis hospitalizations was 1.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The large majority (92%) of hospitalizations occurred in children under one year of age, with an incidence of 115.2 hospitalizations per 100,000. There were 47 deaths, 37 (79%) in the group of children under 1 year and 6 (13%) in the group older than 65 years. The estimated cost of hospitalization for pertussis was 1,841 euros. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of severe cases of pertussis, and its clinical and economic impact, confirms the need to modify the vaccination strategies for Spain to achieve more effective control in the most vulnerable groups

[Hospitalization due to whooping cough in Spain (1997-2011)]. / Hospitalización por tos ferina en España (1997-2011).

INTRODUCTION: Pertussis incidence has increased in recent years in countries with high vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to determine the health impact of pertussis in Spain in the period 1997-2011 in relation to hospitalizations, mortality, and associated costs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed hospital discharges included in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) in Spain for the period 1997-2011, with a primary or secondary diagnosis related to pertussis. We calculated incidence rates of hospitalization for pertussis (per 100,000) per year, by age group and by Autonomous Region, along with the mortality and lethality rates. RESULTS: A total of 8,331 hospital discharges with a diagnosis of pertussis were recorded in Spain between 1997 and 2011. The overall incidence of pertussis hospitalizations was 1.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The large majority (92%) of hospitalizations occurred in children under one year of age, with an incidence of 115.2 hospitalizations per 100,000. There were 47 deaths, 37 (79%) in the group of children under 1 year and 6 (13%) in the group older than 65 years. The estimated cost of hospitalization for pertussis was 1,841 euros. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of severe cases of pertussis, and its clinical and economic impact, confirms the need to modify the vaccination strategies for Spain to achieve more effective control in the most vulnerable groups.

Incidence of whooping cough in Spain (1997-2010): an underreported disease.

UNLABELLED: Whooping cough is currently the worst controlled vaccine-preventable disease in the majority of countries. In order to reduce its morbidity and mortality, it is essential to adapt vaccination programmes to data provided by epidemiological surveillance. A population-based retrospective epidemiological study to estimate the minimum annual undernotification rate of pertussis in Spain from 1997 to 2010 was performed. The incidence of pertussis cases reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System was compared with the incidence of hospital discharges for pertussis from the National Surveillance System for hospital data, Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos. The overall reported incidence and that of hospitalisation for whooping cough were 1.3 cases × 100,000 inhabitants in both cases. Minimum underreporting oscillated between 3.8 and 22.8 %, according to the year of the study. The greatest underreporting (50 %) was observed in children under the age of 1 year. CONCLUSION: Spanish epidemiological surveillance system of pertussis should be improved with complementary active systems to ascertain the real incidence. Paediatricians and general practitioners should be sensibilized to the importance of notification because this would be essential for adapting the prevention and control measures of this disease.

Particle counting and microbiological air sampling: Results of the simultaneous use of both procedures in different types of hospital rooms

Introduction In order to assess the relationship between the concentrations of airborne fungi and particles, particle counting was combined with fungal air sampling in several rooms of a hospital. Methods Concentrations of ≥0.5μm particles (P05) and ≥1μm particles (P1) were measured using a particle counter; fungal air sampling was performed with volumetric air samplers, which impacted air on Rodac plates with Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar. Particle counts were categorised according to ISO 14644-1 standard cut-off points; their association with fungal detection was assessed with Fisher's exact test. Results Forty-two simultaneous samplings were carried out: 24 in operating rooms, 13 in rooms for burns or haematology patients, 3 in pharmacy clean rooms, and two in other procedure rooms. Filamentous fungi were recovered in 5 samples, which also had higher particle counts. No fungi were detected in 12 samplings with both P05 and P1 concentrations below the maximum for class 6 clean rooms; 4 of 7 samplings with both concentrations within the range for class 8 clean rooms were positive for fungi. The association between fungal detection and higher particle counts was statistically significant, both for P05 (p=.004) and P1 (p=.003). There was a partial overlap between the concentrations of particles of samplings which were positive or negative for fungi. Conclusions There is a relationship between the concentrations of P05 and P1 and airborne fungi in hospital rooms. When both P05 and P1 concentrations are below the maximum for class 6 clean rooms, a negative fungal detection can be predicted (AU)

Introducción Para evaluar la relación entre las concentraciones de esporas de hongos y de partículas vehiculados por aire, el recuento de partículas se añadió al estudio microbiológico del aire de varias salas de un hospital. Métodos Las concentraciones de partículas ≥0,5μm (P05) y ≥1μm (P1) se midieron con contador de partículas; el muestreo para estudio microbiológico se efectuó con aspiradores volumétricos que impactaban aire sobre placas Rodac con agar Sabouraud cloranfenicol. Los recuentos de partículas se categorizaron según puntos de corte de norma ISO 14644-1; su asociación con la detección de hongos se evaluó con la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados Se realizaron 42 muestreos simultáneos: 24 en quirófanos, 13 en habitaciones para pacientes quemados o hematológicos, 3 en salas blancas de farmacia y 2 en salas para otros procedimientos. Se aislaron hongos filamentosos en 5 muestreos, cuyas concentraciones de partículas fueron superiores. No se detectaron hongos en 12 muestreos con concentraciones de clase 6 de P05 y P1; sí se detectaron en 4 de 7 muestreos con concentraciones de ambas partículas de clase 8. La asociación entre detección de hongos y recuentos elevados de partículas fue estadísticamente significativa para P05 (p=0,004) y P1 (p=0,003). Hubo una superposición parcial de las concentraciones de partículas de los muestreos con y sin detección de hongos. Conclusiones En salas hospitalarias hay una asociación entre concentraciones de P05, P1 y hongos en aire. Concentraciones de P05 y P1 inferiores al máximo para salas de clase 6 pueden predecir ausencia de detección de hongos (AU)

Particle counting and microbiological air sampling: results of the simultaneous use of both procedures in different types of hospital rooms.

INTRODUCTION: In order to assess the relationship between the concentrations of airborne fungi and particles, particle counting was combined with fungal air sampling in several rooms of a hospital. METHODS: Concentrations of ≥0.5µm particles (P05) and ≥1µm particles (P1) were measured using a particle counter; fungal air sampling was performed with volumetric air samplers, which impacted air on Rodac plates with Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar. Particle counts were categorised according to ISO 14644-1 standard cut-off points; their association with fungal detection was assessed with Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Forty-two simultaneous samplings were carried out: 24 in operating rooms, 13 in rooms for burns or haematology patients, 3 in pharmacy clean rooms, and two in other procedure rooms. Filamentous fungi were recovered in 5 samples, which also had higher particle counts. No fungi were detected in 12 samplings with both P05 and P1 concentrations below the maximum for class 6 clean rooms; 4 of 7 samplings with both concentrations within the range for class 8 clean rooms were positive for fungi. The association between fungal detection and higher particle counts was statistically significant, both for P05 (p=.004) and P1 (p=.003). There was a partial overlap between the concentrations of particles of samplings which were positive or negative for fungi. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the concentrations of P05 and P1 and airborne fungi in hospital rooms. When both P05 and P1 concentrations are below the maximum for class 6 clean rooms, a negative fungal detection can be predicted.

[Safety-engineered devices to prevent percutaneous injuries: cost-effectiveness analysis on prevention of high-risk exposure]. / Análisis coste-efectividad de dispositivos sanitarios diseñados para prevenir exposiciones percutáneas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of the replacement of several medical devices by engineered sharp injury (SI) prevention devices (ESIPDs). METHODS: The cost-effectiveness ratios of the replacement of medical devices in use by ESIPDs were estimated: their purchasing costs and the direct costs of sharp injury care were taken into account; the number of SI avoidable by each ESIPD was estimated from the 252 occupational SI notified by healthcare workers at a 1,300 bed hospital from March 2002 to February 2003. The relationship between ESIPD additional costs and the number of high-risk SI was estimated (SI were classified as high-risk if they met two or more of the following criteria: moderately-deep or deep injury, injury with a device previously inserted in an artery or vein, or with a device exposed to blood). RESULTS: ESIPDs order according to cost-effectiveness ratio: safety needle for implanted ports (-2.65 euro/SI avoided), followed by syringes with protective shield (869.79 euro/SI), resheathable winged steel needles, needleless administration sets, and short catheters with protective encasement. ESIPDs order according to relationship between additional costs and number of high-risk sharp injuries avoided: safety needles for implanted ports, followed by winged steel needles, hypodermic syringes, short catheter and needleless administration sets. CONCLUSIONS: Savings in SI care outweigh additional costs of certain ESIPDs. Cost-effectiveness analysis is useful in assigning priorities; however the risks of SI by every device must be taken into account.

Análisis coste-efectividad de dispositivos sanitarios diseñados para prevenir exposiciones percutáneas / Safety-engineered devices to prevent percutaneous injuries: cost-effectiveness analysis on prevention of high-risk exposure

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficiencia de sustituir algunos dispositivos médicos por otros diseñados para prevenir exposiciones percutáneas (EP). Métodos: Se han estimado las relaciones coste-efectividad de sustituir algunos dispositivos por otros diseñados para prevenir EP: se han considerado los costes de adquisición y de la asistencia a una EP; el número de EP prevenibles por cada dispositivo se ha estimado a partir de las 252 exposiciones ocupacionales notificadas por el personal de un hospital de 1.300 camas de marzo de 2002 a febrero de 2003. Se ha calculado la relación entre el coste adicional de los dispositivos alternativos y el número de EP evitables de alto riesgo (las que cumplían 2 o más de los siguientes: EP moderadamente profunda o profunda, por objeto insertado en vaso, o por objeto expuesto a la sangre). Resultados: Orden de los dispositivos según la relación coste-efectividad: aguja con resguardo para catéter implantado (­2,65 €/EP evitada), seguida por jeringa con resguardo (869,79 €/EP), aguja con aletas con resguardo, equipo de perfusión con válvulas y catéter endovenoso periférico con retracción del fiador. Orden según relación entre coste adicional y número de EP de alto riesgo evitadas: aguja para acceso a catéter implantado, seguida por aguja con aletas, jeringa para aguja hipodérmica, catéter endovenoso y equipo de infusión con válvulas. Conclusiones: El ahorro en asistencia a EP compensa el coste adicional de algunos dispositivos diseñados para prevenirlas. Un análisis coste-efectividad ayuda a establecer prioridades, pero debe tener en cuenta el riesgo de las EP asociadas con cada dispositivo

Objective: To assess the efficiency of the replacement of several medical devices by engineered sharp injury (SI) prevention devices (ESIPDs). Methods: The cost-effectiveness ratios of the replacement of medical devices in use by ESIPDs were estimated: their purchasing costs and the direct costs of sharp injury care were taken into account; the number of SI avoidable by each ESIPD was estimated from the 252 occupational SI notified by healthcare workers at a 1,300 bed hospital from March 2002 to February 2003. The relationship between ESIPD additional costs and the number of high-risk SI was estimated (SI were classified as high-risk if they met two or more of the following criteria: moderately-deep or deep injury, injury with a device previously inserted in an artery or vein, or with a device exposed to blood). Results: ESIPDs order according to cost-effectiveness ratio: safety needle for implanted ports (­2.65 €/SI avoided), followed by syringes with protective shield (869.79 €/SI), resheathable winged steel needles, needleless administration sets, and short catheters with protective encasement. ESIPDs order according to relationship between additional costs and number of high-risk sharp injuries avoided: safety needles for implanted ports, followed by winged steel needles, hypodermic syringes, short catheter and needleless administration sets. Conclusions: Savings in SI care outweigh additional costs of certain ESIPDs. Cost-effectiveness analysis is useful in assigning priorities; however the risks of SI by every device must be taken into account

Riesgo biológico parenteral

Protocolo que tiene como objetivo principal minimizar el riesgo de transmisión parenteral de los virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana(HIV), de la hepatitis C (HCV) y B (HBV) para los trabajadores expuestos a ellos.