[Increase in severe acute respiratory infections in children during the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Incremento de infecciones respiratorias agudas graves en niños durante la última etapa de la pandemia COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variation in the circulation of respiratory pathogens. Our aim was to analyze the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in children during 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison with a previous period. METHODS: An observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Spain, which analyzed the frequency and characteristics of patients admitted for SARI in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2020 to 28 February 2023), compared to pre-pandemic period (1 March 2017 to 29 February 2020). RESULTS: A total of 268 patients were included (59.6% males). The median age was 9.6 months (IQR 1.7 - 37). In the pre-pandemic period, there were 126 admissions with an average of 42 admissions/year. During the pandemic, there were 142 admissions, observing a significant reduction in admissions in the first year (12 admissions/year), in contrast to 82 admissions during the third year, which represented an increase of 95% compared to the average of admissions/year in pre-pandemic. In addition, in the last year there was evidence of an increase in viral coinfections in relation to pre-pandemic period (54.9% vs 39.7%; p=0.032). There were no differences in length of hospital stay or PICU stay. CONCLUSIONS: During the last year, coinciding with low rates of hospitalization for COVID in Spain, we observed a notable increase in admissions to the PICU for SARI. Probably, the prolonged period of low exposure to pathogens due to the measures adopted during the pandemic might have caused a decrease in population immunity with a rise in severe respiratory infections.

Genetic variation in the beta 3-adrenoreceptor gene (Trp64Arg polymorphism) and its influence on anthropometric parameters and insulin resistance under a high monounsaturated versus a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the role of Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor (beta 3-AR) gene on metabolic changes and weight loss secondary to a high monounsaturated fat versus a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet in obese subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 260 obese subjects was analyzed. In the basal visit, patients were randomly allocated for 3 months to either diet M (high monounsaturated fat hypocaloric diet) or diet P (high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the positive effects (on weight, body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass) in either genotype group with both diets. With diet P and in genotype Trp64Trp, glucose levels (-6.7 ± 12.1 vs. -1.2 ± 2.2 mg/dl; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (-11.2 ± 8.1 vs. -1.0 ± 7.1 mg/dl; p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (-9.7 ± 10.1 vs. -2.2 ± 8.1 mg/dl; p < 0.05), triglycerides (-11.7 ± 13.1 vs. +1.7 ± 10.3 mg/dl; p < 0.05), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-R; -0.7 ± 1.1 vs. -0.3 ± 2.1 units; p < 0.05) and insulin levels (-1.8 ± 4.6 vs. -1.0 ± 9.1 mIU/l; p < 0.05) decreased. CONCLUSION: The metabolic effect of weight reduction by the two hypocaloric diets is greatest in subjects with the normal homozygous beta 3-AR gene. Improvements in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin and HOMA-R levels were better than in the heterozygous group.

Relation of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene with weight loss and metabolic changes after a high monounsaturated fat diet in obese non diabetic patients.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene on metabolic response, weight loss and serum adipokine levels to a high monounsaturated fat hypocaloric diet in obese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 128 obese patients was analyzed in a prospective way during 3 months. RESULTS: Eighty eight patients (21 males/67 females) (68.8%) had the genotype 55CC (wild genotype group) and 40 patients (8 males/32 females) (31.3%) 55CT (mutant genotype group). In wild genotype group, BMI (-1.6±1.3 kg/m2), weight (-4.3±3.7 kg), fat mass (-3.5±3.3 kg), waist circumference (-5.1±2.9 cm), total cholesterol (-7.2±10.6 mg/dl), LDL cholesterol (-5.3±12.8 mg/dl) and leptin (-4.7±10.1 ng/ml) decreased. In mutant genotype group, BMI (1.3±2.2 kg/m2), weight (-3.0±1.4 kg), fat mass (-2.5±1.1 kg), waist circumference (-2.8±3.1 cm) and leptin (-5.8±10.7 decreased. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with -55CC UCP3 genotype, a high mono-unsaturated hypocaloric diet reduced BMI, weight, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, fat mass, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and leptin levels. Carriers of T allele had a different response than -55CC patients, with a significant decrease of the same antropometric parameters, but lower than in the wild genotype group, and without significant changes in cholesterol levels.

[Efficacy, effectiveness and safety of the adjuvanted influenza vaccine in the population aged 65 or over]. / Eficacia, efectividad y seguridad de la vacuna antigripal adyuvada en población de 65 o más años de edad.

Most of the complications and deaths related to seasonal flu occur in the elderly population (≥65 years) with comorbidities, and the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent them. Immunization is less effective in older adults due to immunosenescence. MF59-adjuvanted vaccines, designed to improve the magnitude, persistence and amplitude of the immune response in elderly people, have been used in clinical practice since 1997 in their trivalent formulation and, since 2020, in their tetravalent formulation. Data from various studies show that these vaccines are not only safe for all age groups, with a reactogenicity profile similar to that of the conventional vaccine, but also that they are especially effective in boosting the immune response in the population aged 65 or over by increasing antibody titers after vaccination and significantly reducing the risk of hospital admission. Adjuvanted vaccines have been shown to provide cross-protection against heterologous strains and to be as effective as the high-dose vaccine in the population aged 65 or over. In this review, the scientific evidence on the efficacy and effectiveness of the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine in real clinical practice in people ≥65 years of age is analyzed through a narrative and descriptive review of the literature with data from clinical trials, observational studies and systematic reviews or meta-analysis.

[Antimicrobial stewardship program in an Intensive Care Unit: A retrospective observational analysis of the results 15 months after its implementation]. / Programa de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos en un Servicio de Medicina Intensiva: análisis retrospectivo observacional de los resultados 15 meses después de su implementación.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the adherence rate to an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and to assess its effect on the use of antibiotics, quality indicators and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective description of the interventions proposed by the ASP. We compared antimicrobial use, quality and safety indicators in an ASP versus a non-ASP period. The study was performed in a polyvalent ICU of a medium-size University Hospital (600 beds). We studied patients admitted to the ICU for any cause during the ASP period, provided that a microbiological sample aiming to diagnose a potential infection has been drawn, or antibiotics have been started. We elaborated and registered of non-mandatory recommendations to improve antimicrobial prescription (audit and feedback structure) and its registry during the ASP period (15 months, October 2018-December 2019). We compared indicators in a period with ASP (April-June 2019) and without ASP (April-June 2018). RESULTS: We issued 241 recommendations on 117 patients, 67% of them classified as de-escalation type. The rate of adherence to the recommendations was high (96.3%). In the ASP period, the mean number of antibiotics per patient (3.3±4.1 vs 2.4±1.7, p=0.04) and the days of treatment (155 DOT/100 PD vs 94 DOT/100 PD, p <0.01) were reduced. The implementation of the ASP did not compromise patient safety or produce changes in clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of an ASP is widely accepted in the ICU, reducing the consumption of antimicrobials, without compromising patient safety.

Assessment of factors influencing health-related quality of life in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is used in the assessment of chronic illness. Regarding HIV infection, HRQL assessment is an objective for physicians and institutions since antiretroviral treatment delays HIV clinical progression. The aim of this study was to determine the factors with the most influence on HRQL in HIV-infected people and to create a predictive model. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 150 patients in a tertiary hospital. HRQL data were collected using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. The research team created a specific template with which to gather clinical and sociodemographic data. Adherence was assessed using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) and depression data were obtained using the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) inventory. Logistic regression models were used to identify determinants of HRQL. RESULTS: HIV-related symptoms and presence of depression were found to be negatively associated with all the MOS-HIV domains, the Physical Health summary score and the Mental Health summary score. Patients receiving protease inhibitor (PI)-based treatment had lower scores in four of the 11 domains of the MOS-HIV questionnaire. Gender, hospitalization in the year before enrolment, depression and parenthood were independently related to the Physical Health Score; depression and hepatitis C virus coinfection were related to the Mental Health Score. CONCLUSIONS: Optimization of HRQL is particularly important now that HIV infection can be considered a chronic disease with the prospect of long-term survival. Quality of life should be monitored in follow-up of HIV-infected patients. The assessment of HRQL in this population can help us to detect problems that may influence the progression of the disease. This investigation highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to HIV infection.

Depression and health related quality of life among HIV-infected people.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the impact of comorbid psychiatric symptoms in health related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with HIV infection. The aim of this investigation was to describe depressive symptoms and the impact in HRQL in HIV infected people. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study over 150 HIV-outpatients in a tertiary hospital was designed. Depression data were obtained using the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) inventory. HRQL data were collected by disease-specific questionnaire MOS-HIV. Researchers' team designed a specific template to get rest of the data. RESULTS: Almost three-quarters of the population were men. After adjusting for gender and age, HIV-related symptoms and presence of depression were found to be negatively associated with all the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) general domains and in the Physical Health Summary score and Mental Health Summary score. CONCLUSIONS: Optimization of HRQL is particularly important now that HIV is a chronic disease with the prospect of long-term survival. Quality of life and depression should be monitored in follow-up of HIV infected patients. Comorbid psychiatric conditions may serve as markers for impaired functioning and well-being in persons with HIV.

Overview of virus and cancer relationships. Position paper.

The role of certain viruses in the etiology of some tumors is today indisputable, but there is a lack, however, of annoverview of the relationship between viruses and cancer with amultidisciplinary approach. For this reason, the Health Sciences Foundation has convened a group of professionals from different areas of knowledge to discuss the relationship between viruses and cancer, and the present document is the result of these deliberations. Although viruses cause only 10-15% of cancers, advances in oncology research are largely due to the work done during the last century on tumor viruses. The clearest cancer-inducing viruses are: HPV, HBV, HCV, EBV and, depending on the geographical area, HHV-8, HTLV-1 and HIV. HPVs, for example, are considered to be the causative agents of cervical carcinomas and, more recently, of a proportion of other cancers. Among the Herpes viruses, the association with the development of neoplasms is well established for EBV and HHV-8. Viruses can also be therapeutic agents in certain neoplasms and, thus, some oncolytic viruses with selective tropism for tumor cells have been approved for clinical use in humans. It is estimated that the prophylaxis or treatment of viral infections could prevent at least 1.5 million cancer deaths per year.

Nutritional treatment for ambulatory patients with acquired immunodeficiency virus infection and previous weight loss using a formula enriched with n3 fatty acids: a randomized prospective trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dietary counseling and oral supplementation have unclear results in preventing the progressive weight loss in human deficiency virus (HIV)-infection. The aim of the study was to compare the progression of nutritional indicators with or without a formula enriched with n-3 fatty acids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 30 HIV patients were enrolled. 15 were randomized to group I (standard formula) and 15 were randomized to group II (formula enriched with n-3 fatty acids). A nutritional evaluation was realized at basal time and at 3 months. RESULTS: An increase in protein and calories intakes was detected in both. There was a significant increase in n3 fatty acid intake from baseline in group II, without statistical changes in group I. Treatment with both supplements resulted in a significant and sustained increase in weight (4.5% in group I and 5.4%, in group II). This increase was mostly due to fat free mass in group I. In group II it was due to an increase in fat free mass and fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: Oral nutritional supplements for a 3-months period were well tolerated and resulted in body weight gain in HIV-infected patients with previous weight loss.

The situation of infection in the elderly in Spain: a multidisciplinary opinion document.

Infection in the elderly is a huge issue whose treatment usually has partial and specific approaches. It is, moreover, one of the areas where intervention can have the most success in improving the quality of life of older patients. In an attempt to give the widest possible focus to this issue, the Health Sciences Foundation has convened experts from different areas to produce this position paper on Infection in the Elderly, so as to compare the opinions of expert doctors and nurses, pharmacists, journalists, representatives of elderly associations and concluding with the ethical aspects raised by the issue. The format is that of discussion of a series of pre-formulated questions that were discussed by all those present. We begin by discussing the concept of the elderly, the reasons for their predisposition to infection, the most frequent infections and their causes, and the workload and economic burden they place on society. We also considered whether we had the data to estimate the proportion of these infections that could be reduced by specific programmes, including vaccination programmes. In this context, the limited presence of this issue in the media, the position of scientific societies and patient associations on the issue and the ethical aspects raised by all this were discussed.

The situation of vaccines for the prevention of infections in adults: An opinion paper on the situation in Spain.

The childhood immunization schedule is well known and generally well implemented in developed countries. For various reasons, the same is not true of vaccines aimed at preventing infections in adults, in which vaccination coverage is incomplete and generally very deficient. In order to assess the situation of adult vaccination in Spain, the Fundación de Ciencias de la Salud has brought together a series of experts in different fields, including doctors, nurses, representatives of patient associations, health managers and economists, health authorities and journalists to deal with this issue. The format was that of a round table in which a series of questions previously formulated by the coordinators were to be answered and debated. The document presented is not an exhaustive review of the topic, nor is it intended to make recommendations, but only to give a multidisciplinary opinion on topics that could be particularly debatable or controversial. The paper reviews the main vaccine-preventable adult diseases, their clinical and economic impact, the possibilities of reducing them with vaccination programmes and the difficulties in carrying them out. The role of nursing, pharmacy services, patient associations and the health administration itself in changing the current situation was discussed. Prospects for new vaccines were discussed and we speculated on the future in this field. Finally, particularly relevant ethical aspects in decision-making regarding vaccination were discussed, which must be faced by both individuals and states. We have tried to summarize, at the end of the presentation of each question, the environment of opinion that was agreed with all the members of the table.

[Turicella otitidis, contributions to its role in the etiology of ear infections]. / Turicella otitidis, aportaciones a su posible papel en la etiología de la patología infecciosa del oído.

OBJECTIVE: Turicella otitidis is a gram-positive bacillus coryneforme described, after 16S RNA sequencing, in 1994 by Funke et al as a microorganism involved in otitis media, and it is in health conditions a habitual colonizer of the external auditory canal. Since its description, more than twenty years ago, few cases of otitis related to or directly attributed to this microorganism have been published. METHODS: Description of a case of mastoiditis that required surgery and other cases of otic pathology in which T. otitidis was isolated, in the second semester of 2017 in our institution. They were reported only when they grew in pure culture. The identification was made by mass spectrophotometry and an antibiogram was performed. RESULTS: In our institution in the second half of 2017, 5 cases of otitis media were documented, some of them complicated, in which T. otitidis was isolated. The most of patients were children with recurrent otic pathology, and in some cases the sample was taken before the administration of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Since the inclusion of new vaccines that protect against microorganisms typically causing otitis media, is possible there are a change in the etiology of this disease and that microorganisms anecdotally isolated until now have become protagonists. The improvement in the microbiological identification provided by tools such as mass spectrometry will help to clarify if there are or not a change in the etiology of these diseases.

[Epidemiological study of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in senior centers]. / Estudio epidemiológico de portadores nasales de Staphylococcus aureus en centros de mayores.

The observation of an increasing number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in some population groups prompted us to study the risk factors and the epidemiological profile of S. aureus nasal carriage in healthy adults 65 years of age and older residing in the province of Segovia. Attention was particularly focused on the possibility that some of the infections were community-acquired. We conducted a prospective and observational study of people who usually visited senior citizen centers in the province of Segovia (Carbonero, Cuéllar, Cantalejo) and its capital. The analysis period took place between January and May 2003. Infections were classified as community-acquired, hospital-acquired or health-care associated. Isolates of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). There were 34 (19.5%) The prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus was 19.5% and that for MRSA was 1.1%. Female sex was significantly associated with the carriage state. All S. aureus isolates were mupirocin-susceptible. 100% susceptibility and specificity was obtained through latex agglutination testing. The molecular study showed that the transmission for MRSA was monoclonal and that for MSSA was more policlonal. The results presented here form the basis for similar studies in other Spanish senior citizen centers and provide evidence that MRSA strains are beginning to circulate and are becoming significantly established within the community, thus highlighting the need for implementing control strategies to prevent dissemination.

[Etiological profile of urinary tract infections and antimicrobial susceptibility of urinary pathogens]. / Perfil etiológico de las infecciones urinarias y patrón de sensibilidad de los uropatógenos.

A review on the etiological profile of urinary tract infections in childhood and the sensitivity pattern of urinary pathogens in Spain is presented. Escherichia coli continues to be the main etiological agent of urinary tract infection in childhood. Consequently, its sensitivity pattern will usually determine the choice of empirical therapy. The predominance of E. coli is reduced in certain circumstances, in which the presence of other microorganisms is increased. However, the clinical information available at diagnosis does not allow accurate identification of the etiology; only staining and microscopic urine examination can help in treatment selection. In Spain, E. coli presents a high percentage of resistance to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole, whereas second- and third-generation cephalosporins, fosfomycin, aminoglycosides and amoxicillin-clavulanate maintain high sensitivity. In some areas, amoxicillin-clavulanate and first-generation cephalosporins show high levels of resistance, which can limit their empirical use.

[Variability in antibiotic prescription in the pediatric population of Castile and Leon (Spain) from 2001 to 2005 in relation to urban or rural setting]. / Variabilidad de la prescripción de antibióticos en la población pediátrica de Castilla y León durante los años 2001 a 2005 en el medio urbano o rural.

OBJECTIVES: To compare systemic antibiotic prescribing in the pediatric population of Castile and Leon in relation to urban or rural setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on non-hospital antibiotic consumption in the pediatric population were gathered from the database that processes the antibiotics billed in the Health Service of Castile and Leon. These data were analyzed according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) and the results were expressed as defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). RESULTS: Overall antibiotic consumption in the pediatric population was markedly higher in the rural setting (24.37 DID in rural areas vs. 19.54 DID in urban areas). Interannual variability was similar in both settings, with prescriptions reaching a peak in 2003. In the qualitative analysis, prescription of amoxicillin and, to a lesser extent, of cefixime and azithromycin was higher in rural areas. Differences in prescription in the urban and rural areas of the distinct health areas varied, the greatest differences being found in Segovia. CONCLUSIONS: Wide quantitative and qualitative variability in antibiotic use was found between the various urban and rural zones of basic health areas. Although we suspected that the results for the urban setting would be underestimated due to the excessive use of emergency services, more detailed studies are required to better understand the determinants of antibiotic use in children.

[Analysis of antibiotic consumption in the pediatric population of Castile and León (Spain) from 2001 to 2005]. / Análisis del consumo de antibióticos en la población pediátrica de Castilla y León durante el período 2001 a 2005.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze trends in antibiotic use among the pediatric population of Castile and León from 2001 to 2005. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antibiotics prescribed to the pediatric population in primary care were processed using the CONCYLIA database. The technical unit of measurement was the defined daily dose (DDD) and the comparative indicator used was the DDD per 1000 inhabitants/day (DID). RESULTS: Overall consumption was high (21.21 DID). Throughout the 5 years of the study we observed substantial variations, especially in 2005, the year in which consumption was highest (25.05 DID). The therapeutic subgroups most frequently prescribed were wide-spectrum penicillins (8.08 DID) and penicillins associated with beta-lactamase inhibitors (7.29 DID), followed by cephalosporins (2.81 DHD) and macrolides (2.52 DHD). The percentage of wide-spectrum penicillin prescription was higher than that of penicillins associated with beta-lactamase inhibitors between 2001 and 2002. These percentages were similar in 2003, and the percentage of wide-spectrum penicillin prescription was lower than that of penicillins associated with beta-lactamase inhibitors in the last 2 years of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Marked differences in consumption were observed over the study period. Changes in patterns of use were found, with an increase in the use of penicillins associated with beta-lactamase inhibitors in the last 2 years of the study.

[Family physician's role in the HIV infection management]. / Papel del médico de familia en el manejo de la infección por VIH.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a disease with great sociosanitary impact. Since 1981, when the first cases of AIDS were described, more than 60 million people have become infected. During these 25 years there have been a lot of advances in the infection management and we know that prevention and early diagnosis are crucial. Family Physician s role is essential since this is a privileged point of global attention, counseling and support for these patients. The main objective is to reduce the new HIV infections incidence. In addition, other objectives are: primary prevention and health promotion, early diagnosis, recruitment infected patients, monitoring and end-of-life caring. It is important to know that all of us are susceptible to contract the virus and, although the HIV testing is voluntary, there are screening recommendations from the CDC: persons with signs or symptoms that suggest infection, pregnant women, persons at high risk for infection and all patients aged 13-64 years, as a part of routine clinical care. The communication of the result is a key point in the therapeutic relation. If it is negative we must make intervention on risk attitudes. If it is positive we must inform and support the patient, to convince him about the need to be followed up by an specialized level. The AIDS terminal patient is a very immunodeficient one and needs palliative cares like other terminal disease. Another challenge is prevention and control of HIV infection among the immigrant community. In conclusion, Family Physicians must investigate risk practices, inform, prevent new cases and, in the infected people, monitor the evolution, supporting and comforting.