COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Emerging Variants: Evidence from Six Countries.

As the world tries to cope with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging variants of the virus, COVID-19 vaccination has become an even more critical tool toward normalcy. The effectiveness of the vaccination program and specifically vaccine uptake and coverage, however, is a function of an individual's knowledge and individual opinion about the disease and available vaccines. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and resulting community practice(s) associated with the new COVID-19 variants and vaccines in Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, and the USA. A cross-sectional web-based Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey was administered to respondents living in six different countries using a structured and multi-item questionnaire. Survey questions were translated into English, Spanish, and Malay to accommodate the local language in each country. Associations between KAP and a range of explanatory variables were assessed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. A total of 781 responses were included in the final analysis. The Knowledge score mean was 24 (out of 46), Attitude score 28.9 (out of 55), and Practice score 7.3 (out of 11). Almost 65% of the respondents reported being knowledgeable about COVID-19 variants and vaccination, 55% reported a positive attitude toward available COVID-19 vaccines, and 85% reported engaging in practices that supported COVID-19 vaccination. From the multiple logistic models, we found post-graduate education (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.23-2.74) and an age range 45-54 years (AOR = 5.81, 95% CI: 2.30-14.69) to be significantly associated with reported COVID-19 knowledge. In addition, positive Attitude scores were associated with respondents living in Zimbabwe (AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 2.04-9.90) and positive Practice scores were found to be associated with people from India (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.15-11.74) and high school education (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.07-4.38). This study contributes to the identification of socio-demographic factors associated with poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to COVID-19 variants and vaccines. It presents an opportunity for collaboration with diverse communities to address COVID-19 misinformation and common sources of vaccine hesitancy (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, and practices).

Spatial distribution of Zika in Honduras during 2016-2017 using geographic information systems (GIS) - Implications for public health and travel medicine.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has significantly affected Latin America in 2015-2017. Most studies have been reported from Brazil and Colombia, and only a few from Central America. For these reasons, we analyzed the incidence, incidence rates and evolution of cases in Honduras from 2016 to 2017. METHODS: Using epidemiological weeks (EW) surveillance data on the ZIKV epidemics in Honduras, we estimated incidence rates (cases/100,000 population), and developed maps at national, departmental and municipal levels. RESULTS: From 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017, a total of 32,607 cases of ZIKV were reported (98.5% in 2016 for an incidence rate of 36.85 cases/100,000 pop; 1% confirmed by RT-PCR). The highest peak was reached on the EW 6°, 2016 (2559 cases; 29.34 cases/100,000 pop). The department with the highest number of cases and incidence rate was Cortés (13,128 cases, 791.08 cases/100,000 pop in 2016). DISCUSSION: The pattern and evolution of ZIKV infection in Honduras have been similar to that which occurred for chikungunya in 2015. As previously reported, infection with chikungunya involved predominantly the central and capital area of the country, reaching incidences there >750 cases/100,000 pop. Studies using geographical information systems linked with clinical disease characteristics are necessary to attain accurate epidemiological data for public health systems. Such information is also useful for assessment of risk for travelers who visit specific areas in a destination country.

Bibliometric Assessment of the Global Scientific Production of Nitazoxanide.

INTRODUCTION: Nitazoxanide is a member of a new class of drug, thiazolides, and it was discovered in 1984 with antimicrobial activity effect against anaerobic bacteria, Hepatitis virus, protozoa, and helminths. METHODS: A bibliometric study on four databases (1984-2016) - Medline, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO - characterizing the global scientific production of nitazoxanide. We determined the quantity, quality (number of citations), and types of studies developed by each country, characterizing them by years, international cooperation, development, place of publication, authors (with its H-index), and groups with higher impact. RESULTS: There were 512 articles in Medline - the higher scientific production is from the USA (19.71%), Switzerland (7.51%), and Mexico (7.27%). There were 1,440 articles in Scopus - from the USA (8.98%), Mexico (2.13%), and India (1.65%). There were 405 articles in LILACS - from Mexico (4.69%), the USA (4.2%), and Peru (2.47%). There were 47 articles in SciELO - from Brazil (34.04%), Venezuela (21.28%), and Colombia (14.89%). The H-index of nitazoxanide is 75 - the USA (26), Egypt (12), and Canada (10) were the countries contributing more with that. CONCLUSIONS: Nitazoxanide research has been highly important. Nevertheless, it is relatively limited when compared with other drugs. Its research has been led by the USA, as revealed in this bibliometric assessment. Although some developing countries, where it is used especially for protozoa and helminths, probably have its influence, and this explains the fact that Mexico and India, among others, are the top countries in the scientific production of this anti-infective agent. This bibliometric study evidenced a relatively low number of publications, however, it has been increased in recent years.

Hallazgos radiográficos asociados a la COVID-19: una mirada desde la atención primaria / Radiographic findings associated with the COVID-19: a glance from the primary health care

La actual pandemia de COVID-19 ha afectado múltiples sectores económicos y sociales a escala mundial, con especial afectación sobre el sector de la salud, ya que constituye un reto adicional para la atención primaria, dada la marcada escasez de recursos. La infección por SARS-CoV-2 ocasiona morbilidad y mortalidad crecientes, por lo que el diagnóstico mediante imágenes es una herramienta imprescindible en la práctica clínica; sin embargo, el acceso limitado a algunos medios como la tomografía axial computarizada en diferentes niveles de atención, justifica el uso de la radiografía de tórax como una opción costo-efectiva y accesible en muchas regiones. En el presente artículo se exponen los hallazgos asociados a procesos infecciosos virales sugestivos de infección por el nuevo coronavirus y una serie de escalas de clasificación que buscan estandarizar la lectura e interpretación radiográfica por parte del personal médico.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has affected multiple economic and social sectors worldwide, with special effects on the health sector, since it constitutes an additional challenge for the primary health care, given the marked lack of resources. The infection due to SARS-CoV-2 causes increasing morbidity and mortality, reason why the diagnosis by means of images is an indispensable tool in the clinical practice; however, the limited access to some means as the computerized axial tomography in different levels of care, justifies the use of the thorax x-ray as a cost-effective and accessible option in many regions. Findings associated with suggestive viral infectious processes of infection due to the new coronavirus and a series of classification scales that seek to standardize reading and radiographic interpretation by the medical staff are exposed in this work.

Humanización de los Cuidados Intensivos: Un llamado a la acción durante y después del COVID-19 / Humanization of Critical Medicine and Intensive Care: A call for action amid and beyond COVID-19

En las últimas décadas, secundario al desarrollo científico y tecnológico, las prácticas de la medicina crítica y los cuidados intensivos se han caracterizado por alcanzar una mayor supervivencia asociada a prácticas poco humanizadas, la cual se enfoca de forma exclusiva en el manejo de una patología, dejando un vacío en importantes aspectos característicos de cada paciente y su familia. Actualmente, durante la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, la implementación de prácticas de humanización para el paciente gravemente enfermo y sus familiares es una necesidad imperiosa para los sistemas de salud (AU)

In recent decades, due to scientific and technological development, the practices of critical care and intensive medicine have been characterized by achieving greater survival associated with practices that are not very humanized, which focuses exclusively on the management of a pathology leaving a gap in the aspects that are important for patients and relatives. Currently, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the implementation of humanization practices for the seriously ill patient and their families, it is a pressing need for health systems (AU)

Verificación del desempeño de la prueba rápida "AMP Rapid Test SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM- Cassettes" / Quick test performance verification "AMP Rapid Test SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM- Cassettes"

Resumen Objetivo: Verificación del desempeño de las pruebas serológicas rápidas utilizadas en el departamento de Risaralda, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio analitico, de corte transversal. Incluyó muestras de sueros de trabajadores de la salud de la ciudad de Pereira, quienes tuvieron sospecha clínica y epidemiológica por SARS-CoV-2. El procesamiento y validación de las pruebas fue realizado en las instalaciones de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. Se calculó sensibilidad y especificidad de las pruebas rápidas serológicas IgM/IgG usando como prueba de oro la RT-PCR. Resultados: Se incluyeron las muestras de 144 profesionales de la salud. Las pruebas serológicas rápidas evidenciaron ser útiles para identificar o descartar la presencia de anticuerpos IgM e IgG, especialmente en pacientes sintomáticos, en quienes el inicio de los síntomas es superior a 11 días. Discusión: El uso de pruebas rápidas se encuentra en aumento, no solo por la rapidez de sus resultados, sino también por los bajos costos asociados y la necesidad de identificar pacientes no susceptibles, quienes deben priorizar su retorno a actividades laborales en comunidad como parte de la reactivación económica de Colombia. Es necesario confirmar el desempeño de la prueba para aumentar la probabilidad de una adecuada clasificación antes de proceder a su uso rutinario.

Abstract Objective: We aimed to realize a verification of the performance of the rapid serological tests used in Risaralda department. Methods: Analytical, cross-sectional study. Serum samples from health workers in Pereira city, who had a clinical and epidemiological suspicion for SARS-CoV-2 were included. The processing and validation of the tests was carried out at Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. Sensitivity and specificity of rapid IgM / IgG sero logical tests were calculated using RT-PCR as the gold standard test. Results: 144 samples of health professionals were included. Rapid serological tests useful to identify or rule out the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies, especially in symptomatic patients, in whom the onset of symptoms is longer than 11 days. Discussion: The use of rapid tests is increasing, not only due to the speed of their results, but also due to the low associated costs and the need to identify non-susceptible patients, who must prioritize their return to work activities in the community as part of the economic reactivation of Colombia. It is necessary to confirm the adequate performance of the test to increase the probability of an adequate classification before proceeding with the routine use of this test.

Educación médica en tiempo de pandemia: el caso de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) / Medical education in pandemic time: The case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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Educación médica en tiempo de pandemia: el caso de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) / Medical education in pandemic time: The case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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Enfermedad por Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) en América Latina: Papel de la atención primaria en la preparación y respuesta / Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Latin America: Role of primary care in preparedness and response

No disponible

Prescripción inapropiada en adultos mayores: una mirada desde la atención primaria / No disponible

No disponible

Microbiological characteristics of infections in a group of colombian patients with oncological diagnosis, 2014 - 2016 / Características microbiológicas de infecciones en un grupo de colombianos con diagnóstico oncológico, 2014 - 2016

Objective: We aimed to describe the microbiological characteristics of infections in patients from an oncological center during 2.014-2.016. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a total of 7.837 cultures corresponding to 1.216 patients were included. Microbiological and sociodemographic data were taken from cancer diagnosed patients admitted to Oncólogos de Occidente S.A. in Pereira, Armenia, Manizales and Cartago from January 2.014 to December 2.016. The bacterial resistance profiles were defined according to the CLSI guideline. Culture foci were blood, urine, tissue biopsies, skin and soft tissues, mucous membranes and feces. Results: The culture-positive rate was 27,94%. Amongst 2.190 isolates, Escherichia coli (22,42%) was the most frequent, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (21,27%), Pseudomona aeruginosa (13,83%) and Staphylococcus aureus (5,11%). The most common mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negatives were Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (45,45%) and AmpC-type β-lactamases (37,71%). Discussion: Up to nearly one-third of our participants' cultures were positive and a vast majority were gram-negatives, provided with ESBLs or AmpCs which in oncological patients it is a catastrophic outcome. We recommend to establish antibiotic dispensing policies thus achieving a microbiological risk control and improve the epidemiological surveillance. Empirical use of beta-lactams with extended spectrum or cephalosporins of 1 to 3 generation is not recommended due to the high resistance found.

Objetivo: Describir las características microbiológicas de las infecciones en pacientes de un centro oncológico durante 2.014-2.016 Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Incluyó 7.837 cultivos de 1.216 pacientes. Se recolectaron variables microbiológicas y sociodemográficas de pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer en las sedes de Pereira, Armenia, Manizales y Cartago de Oncólogos de Occidente S.A. durante 2.014 hasta 2.016. Los perfiles de resistencia bacteriana se definieron de acuerdo con la guía CLSI. Los focos de cultivo fueron sangre, orina, biopsias de tejidos, piel y tejidos blandos, membranas mucosas y heces. Resultados: La tasa de cultivo positivo fue del 27,94%. De 2.190 aislamientos, E. coli (22,42%) fue el más frecuente, seguido de K. pneumoniae (21,27%), P. aeruginosa (13,83%) y S. aureus (5,11%). Los principales mecanismos de resistencia identificados en Gram negativos fueron β-lactamasas de espectro extendido (45,45%) y β-lactamasa de tipo AmpC (37,71%). Discusión: Cerca de un tercio de los cultivos de los participantes fueron positivos y una vasta mayoría fueron gram negativos, provistos con ESBL o AmpC, lo que en pacientes oncológicos es un desenlace catastrófico. Recomendamos establecer políticas de dispensación de antibióticos, logrando así un control de riesgo microbiológico y mejorar la vigilancia epidemiológica. No se recomienda el uso empírico de betalactámicos con espectro extendido o cefalosporinas de 1 a 3 generación debido a la alta tasa de resistencia encontrada.

Neutropenia febril asociada a quimioterapia en pacientes con neoplasias hematológicas de un centro de referencia en Colombia: características clínicas y desenlaces / Febrile neutropenia in patients with hematological malignancies at a reference center in Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y bacteriológicas que influyen en la supervivencia de los pacientes con neoplasias hematológicas que desarrollaron neutropenia febril posterior a quimioterapia. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal que incluyó adultos con diagnóstico de neoplasias hematológicas que presentaron neutropenia febril durante la hospitalización en 2014 en las sedes de Oncólogos de Occidente en Pereira, Manizales y Armenia (Colombia). Se realizaron análisis univariados y multivariados; la supervivencia se estableció según el método de Kaplan-Meier. Se estableció un valor de p <0.05. Se usó el software STATA. Se tuvo aval de bioética de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. Resultados: se incluyó a 55 pacientes. La mediana de edad fue de 48 años (31-63), 27(49 %) fueron hombres. Los diagnósticos oncológicos más frecuentes fueron el linfoma no Ho-dgkin (29 %), leucemia mieloide aguda (24%) y leucemia linfoblástica aguda (20 %). La mayor letalidad se presentó en los días 21, 32 y 48. La mortalidad general fue del 9 % y la mortalidad por neutropenia profunda fue del 18 %. Conclusión: el número de neutropenias febriles, mayor tiempo de duración de la neutropenia febril, índice de Charlson y el antecedente de ingreso a UCI son factores de riesgo para mortalidad, mientras que el uso de piperacilina-tazobactam y el incremento en la puntuación del índice de MASCC son factores protectores.

ABSTRACT Objective: analyze the epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological characteristics that influence the survival of patients with haematological malignancies who developed febrile neutropenia after chemotherapy. Materials and methods: cross-sectional study of adult patients diagnosed with hema-tologic malignancies who presented febrile neutropenia during hospitalization in 2014 at Oncólogos de Occidente in Pereira, Manizales and Armenia (Colombia). Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed. The survival analysis was established according to the Kaplan-Meier method. A value of p<0.05 was established for it. The STATA software was used. This study was endorsed by the bioethics committee of the Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. Results: 55 patients were included. The median age was 48 years (31-63), 27 (49%) were men. The most frequent oncological diagnoses were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (29 %), acute myeloid leukemia (24 %) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (20 %). The highest lethality occurred on days 21, 32 and 48. Overall mortality was 9 %, mortality due to deep neutro-penia was 18 %. Conclusion: the number of febrile neutropenia, longer duration of febrile neutropenia, Charlson index and the history of admission to the ICU are risk factors for mortality, while the use of piperacillin-tazobactam and the increase in the score of the MASCC index are protective factors.