[Retrospective observational study of the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients previously treated with rituximab]. / Estudio observacional retrospectivo de persistencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes tratados previamente con rituximab.

OBJECTIVE: Rituximab-induced immunosuppression could be a risk factor for mortality from COVID-19. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients who have received rituximab and its association with a persistent viral infection. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of patients who received rituximab in the 6 months before to the onset of the pandemic. We analyzed the presence of infection and associated them with demographic variables, pathological history related to an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, the doses of rituximab received, the type of ventilatory support, thromboembolic events, and the treatment received. A descriptive analysis of all the variables was carried out and infected and uninfected patients were compared. RESULTS: We screened a total of 68 patients who had received rituximab (median cumulative dose: 4,161mg (2,611-8,187.5)). 54.4% men, mean age 60.8 years (15.7; 25-87)). C + was confirmed for 22 patients. Of these, 45.5% had high blood pressure, 36.4% Diabetes Mellitus, 31.8% smokers/ex-smoker, 22.7% lung disease, 13.6% heart disease and 4.5% obesity. There were no statistically significant differences between C+ and C-. Only 2 patients developed immunity. For 10 patients (45.5%) did not have a negative CRP until the end of the follow-up. There was no association with cumulative dose of rituximab. The mortality rate was 22.7% in the C+. CONCLUSIONS: We observe that the persistence of the infection leads to a worse evolution of COVID-19. The use of alternatives should be considered during the pandemic, because of patients with decreased B-cell function may have high risk of fatal progression from COVID-19.

Epidemiological Surveillance of COVID-19, in the Province of Callao in Peru, from March 2020 to June 2021

Purpose Epidemiological surveillance of novel Coronavirus SARS CoV-2 in the Constitutional Province of Callao in Perú. Methods & Materials We used the data collection about the notifications of cases of COVID-19. The database was uploaded from the application of the national notification system (Notiweb). We analyzed the information from 13th March in 2020 to 27th June in 2021. Concerning deaths, the names and dates also corroborated by the death notification system (Sinadef). Results The first notified confirmed case in the region was a female patient on 13th March in 2020. We have 154 977 notifications cases as accumulated total;97 381 confirmed cases (with laboratory analyzes that confirm infection), 43 970 suspected cases (compatible symptoms of COVID-19), 12 646 discarded cases and 984 compatible cases (suspected case more epidemiological criteria or suspected case more radiological criteria). The districts with more cases are Callao and Ventanilla. The group of age more affected was an adult (30-59 years old) with 43 702 cases (54.60%). The primary care is provided by three “Redes de Salud”, the Red de Salud Ventanilla report 17 421 confirmed cases of COVID-19, Red de Bonilla 13 706 confirmed cases and Red de Salud BEPECA 10 786 confirmed cases. The hospitals, private clinics and others notification centres report the rest of the cases. From 9290 deaths as confirmed cases, the majority occur at the big hospitals;6948 deaths occur at Essalud Hospitals, 1175 deaths at National Hospitals, 977 deaths at the Navy Army hospital, 45 deaths at private clinics. The rest outside third-level establishments;92 deaths on their residence place, 45 on temporary isolation services, 06 on public roads and 02 on primary care's centres. Conclusion The province of Callao is a remarkable region in Peru because it has two points of entry to the country, the International Airport “Jorge Chavez” and the international seaport “Terminal Portuario del Callao”, and also have 01 prisons. The curve of the total number of reported cases of COVID-19 shows two waves;this second wave is currently decreasing, with 9290 deaths over 97 381 confirmed cases, we have a Lethality rate of 9.54%

The agenda building of pedro sánchez in the face of the COVID-19 crisis: A description of its attributes and impact over the media and public opinion

To describe the communicative performance of president Pedro Sánchez during the coronavirus crisis, we analyze seven speeches pronounced between March 13th and 28th. Basing on the attribute selection at agenda building’s second level, a content analysis was practised, in search of the aspects most highlighted by Sánchez. Afterwards they were compared to the public agenda, by collecting the results of the barometer of the Spanish Center of Sociological Research;and with the media agenda, we revised a study about the topics that the digital media linked the most to Sánchez. These outfits focused more than him on health system issues. Finally, we analyzed his non-verbal communication, in which fear expressions prevailed. The characteristics most attributed by Sánchez to this crisis were the political situation, the impact on services and the conflict rethoric. Although the citizens agreed on the importance of the economic situation, they kept regarding it as problematic. © 2020, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. All rights reserved.