To describe breakthrough COVID-19 infection in patients who needed hospitalization and the factors associated with poor outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between December 27, 2020, and October 17, 2021, with either a complete vaccination (CV) scheme (diagnosed 2 weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer/Moderna/AstraZeneca or first dose of the Janssen vaccine was administered) or a partial vaccination (PV) scheme. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The baseline factors associated with the outcomes were analyzed by multiple logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]). A total of 145 (101 CV) patients were included. The CV subgroup was mainly composed of older males with high comorbidity (Charlson Index ≥3, 72%; immunosuppression, 20%) and with bilateral pneumonia in 63.4%. Limited therapeutic effort (LTE) was agreed upon for 28% of the patients. In the CV subgroup, endotracheal intubation was required in 10.9% of patients, reaching 15.3% when excluding LTE patients; the global mortality was 22.8%, reaching 41.4% in the subgroup with LTE. Although the patients with PV were younger and had fewer comorbidities, the main outcomes did not differ significantly between the CV and PV groups. The predictors of poor outcomes were age ≥ 65 years, confusion, ferritin > 500 mg/L, extensive lung infiltrates, and a Charlson Index ≥ 3. Patients with CV hospitalized because of breakthrough COVID-19 infection tend to be older persons, with comorbidities, and have a high mortality.
23 March 2024 in International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV)-1 infection is endemic in many countries of Central and South America and Caribbean (CSA&C). Neither screening nor surveillance programs exist for HTLV-1/2 infection among pregnant women in this region. Neither in Western nations with large migrant flows from HTLV-1/2 endemic regions. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among CSA&C pregnant women. We included studies searching EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to February 15, 2023. This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. We identified a total of 620 studies. Only 41 were finally included in the meta-analysis. Most studies (61.0%) were from Brazil and Peru (14.6%). The total number of participants was 343,707. The pooled prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among CSA&C pregnant women was 1.30% (95% CI: 0.96-1.69) using anti-HTLV-1/2 antibody screening tests. There was a high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.6%). Confirmatory tests gave an HTLV-1 infection rate of 1.02% (95% CI: 0.75-1.33). The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among CSA&C pregnant women is 1.3%, most cases being HTLV-1. This rate is greater than for other microbial agents regularly checked as part of antenatal screening (such as HIV, hepatitis B, or syphilis). Thus, HTLV-1/2 antenatal testing should be mandatory among CSA&C pregnant women everywhere.
30 March 2023 in Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica (English Ed.)
Dengue represents a major public health problem in the Americas in general, and in Posadas (Misiones, Argentina) in particular. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of dengue virus infection, analyze associated factors, and determine the proportion of asymptomatic cases. This prospective cross-sectional study took place from November 2017 to April 2019 in the High Complexity Laboratory of Misiones, at the School Hospital Dr. Ramón Madariaga in Posadas. A random sample of 301 adults (≥ 15 years) was selected from the electoral registry and stratified by geographical area of residence. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected by means of a survey and serology. Results were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The median age of the sample was 33 years; 66% were women, and 46.5% had completed at least secondary school. Anti-dengue IgG antibodies were present in 40.2% of the sample (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.5-45.9%), including 90% of those who reported dengue and 20.5% who did not (odds ratio [OR] 33.25, 95% CI 15.46-71.51, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, adjusted for age, group, gender, and vaccination against yellow fever, seropositivity was associated with having relatives with dengue (adjusted OR 3.96, 95% CI 2.18-7.23; p < 0.001). Seroprevalence for dengue in Posadas was higher than estimates based on the notification records, and there was a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. Educational level and having a family member who had suffered from dengue were associated with positive serology.
Background and Aims: Influenza mortality rates varying across different populations. This study aims to assess influenza lethality in hospitalized adults (≥ 15 years) and identify key risk factors according to age.Methods: We designed a retrospective study at Dr. Balmis General University Hospital (Alicante, Spain), including patients hospitalized for influenza from 2016 to 2022. In‐hospital death was expressed as the case fatality rate (CFR). Variables yielding a p value under 0.1 on univariable analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model to identify risk factors for lethality.Results: Of 1613 patients admitted for influenza (incidence 86 per 10,000 admissions), 96 died (CFR 5.95%). Lethality increased with age, reaching 8.4% in patients aged 80–89 years and 19.5% in those over 90. In all of the cohort, risk factors were age, dementia, respiratory failure, influenza pneumonia, and sepsis, while treatment with oseltamivir acted as a protective factor. In patients < 80 years of age, risk factors were neoplasia, respiratory failure, and influenza pneumonia, whereas oseltamivir treatment was a protective factor. In patients 80 years (n = 554; 34.3%), the risk of mortality increased with age, dementia, respiratory failure, noninfluenza pneumonia, and sepsis.Conclusion: Influenza deaths increase with age; this relationship is accentuated in people aged 80 or older. Respiratory failure was the main risk factor in all patients hospitalized for influenza. Treatment with oseltamivir protected patients (especially those < 80 years) against deaths. Patients < 80 years‐old carried a higher risk of death if they had a neoplasia, whereas in ≥ 80 patients, the risk was associated with dementia and noninfluenza pneumonia.