Primera onda pandémica de COVID-19 en Navarra, febrero-junio 2020 / First wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Navarre, Spain, February-June 2020

Fundamento. En 2020 se declaró la pandemia de COVID-19. La escasez de pruebas diagnósticas limitó la monitorización de la primera onda pandémica. El objetivo fue estimar y describir esta onda en Navarra (España). Métodos. La primera onda pandémica en Navarra, desde febrero a junio de 2020, se caracterizó a partir de la vigilancia epidemiológica reforzada, de la encuesta seroepidemiológica nacional y del registro de mortalidad. Resultados. Se confirmaron 10.358 personas con COVID-19 (1,6 % de la población), 1.943 requirieron ingreso hospitalario (3 por 1.000 habitantes), 139 ingresaron en UCI (21 por 100.000) y 529 fallecieron (80 por 100.000). La mortalidad aumentó exponencialmente con la edad, superando el 1 % en mayores de 85 años. El 58 % de las defunciones ocurrieron en residentes en centros socio-sanitarios. El registro de mortalidad recibió notificación de 733 muertes por COVID-19 confirmado o probable, mientras que el exceso de mortalidad fue de 613 defunciones (20,9 %) concentradas entre mediados de marzo y finales de abril. Al final de la onda, se estima que el 6,7 % (n = 44.000) de la población tenía anticuerpos detectables frente al SARS-CoV-2 y el 10,3 % había pasado la infección. La incidencia de infección estimada aumentó abruptamente en la primera quincena de marzo y descendió rápidamente durante el confinamiento domiciliario en la segunda quincena de marzo. Conclusiones. La primera onda pandémica produjo un número enorme de casos, hospitalizaciones y defunciones en Navarra en pocas semanas. El marcado descenso de los contagios durante el confinamiento domiciliario sugiere una eficacia y un impacto considerables de esta medida en la contención de la transmisión.(AU)

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020. The shortage of diagnostic tests limited monitoring of the first wave of the pandemic. This study estimates and describes the wave in Navarre (Spain). Methods. Enhanced epidemiological surveillance, seroepidemiological survey estimates and mortality registries were used to characterise the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from February to June 2020 in Navarre. Results. A total of 10,358 persons (1.6 % of population) were confirmed with COVID-19, 1,943 cases were hospitalized (3 per 1,000 inhabitants), 139 were admitted to the ICU (21 per 100,000 inhabitants), and 529 people died from confirmed COVID-19 (80 per 100,000). Mortality increased exponentially with age, exceeding 1 % in people over 85 years. 58 % of deaths occurred amongst nursing home residents. The mortality registry received reporting of 733 confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths, while the excess deaths during this period were 613 (20.9 %) concentrated from mid-March to the end of April. It is estimated that, at the end of June, 6.7 % (n = 44,000) of the population had detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and 10.3 % had had the infection. The estimates of SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence increased sharply in the first half of March and decreased quickly during the home lockdown in the second half of March. Conclusions. The first wave of the pandemic produced a high number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Navarre in a few weeks. The pronounced decrease of SARS-CoV-2 infections during the home lockdown suggests considerable efficacy and impact of this measure for transmission control.(AU)

[First wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Navarre, Spain, February-June 2020].

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020. The shortage of diagnostic tests limited monitoring of the first wave of the pandemic. This study estimates and describes the wave in Navarre (Spain). METHODS: Enhanced epidemiological surveillance, seroepidemiological survey estimates and mortality registries were used to characterise the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from February to June 2020 in Navarre. RESULTS: A total of 10,358 persons (1.6?% of population) were confirmed with COVID-19, 1,943 cases were hospitalized (3 per 1,000 inhabitants), 139 were admitted to the ICU (21 per 100,000 inhabitants), and 529 people died from confirmed COVID-19 (80 per 100,000). Mortality increased exponentially with age, exceeding 1?% in people over 85 years. 58?% of deaths occurred amongst nursing home residents. The mortality registry received reporting of 733 confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths, while the excess deaths during this period were 613 (20.9?%) concentrated from mid-March to the end of April. It is estimated that, at the end of June, 6.7?% (n?=?44,000) of the population had detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and 10.3?% had had the infection. The estimates of SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence increased sharply in the first half of March and decreased quickly during the home lockdown in the second half of March. CONCLUSIONS: The first wave of the pandemic produced a high number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Navarre in a few weeks. The pronounced decrease of SARS-CoV-2 infections during the home lockdown suggests considerable efficacy and impact of this measure for transmission control.

Grosor epitelial corneal un año después de la cirugía de LASIK miópico, medido mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica de segmento anterior combinado con disco de Plácido / Corneal epithelial thickness one year after myopic LASIK surgery, measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography combined with Placido disk

OBJETIVO: Comparar el grosor epitelial corneal (GEC) en pacientes intervenidos de LASIK miópico de más de un año respecto a sujetos no operados. MÉTODOS: En este estudio retrospectivo observacional se incluyeron 93 sujetos no operados (186 ojos) y 26 sujetos (52 ojos) operados de LASIK miópico. Se realizó una tomografía óptica de segmento anterior (OCT-SA) combinada con anillo de Plácido en todos los sujetos y se midió el GEC por sectores. Se hizo análisis estadístico para determinar diferencias entre las variables medidas en ambos grupos, así como análisis multivariante para buscar predictores de GEC. RESULTADOS: No hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en términos demográficos (edad, sexo) ni de segmento anterior (equivalente esférico, paquimetría) (todas las p > 0,05). Se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05) entre los dos grupos en todos los sectores estudiados, central, anillos interno y externo, siendo mayores todos los valores de GEC en los pacientes intervenidos de LASIK ≥ 1 año. A excepción del tiempo transcurrido desde la cirugía (p = 0,00), no se encontró correlación entre el GEC y la edad, el sexo, las dioptrías ablacionadas ni otra variable estudiada (p > 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: El GEC medio y por sectores medido mediante la OCT-SA es mayor en pacientes intervenidos de LASIK hace más de un año. La única variable correlacionada con el GEC tras el LASIK es el tiempo desde la cirugía. Las modificaciones del GEC deben ser tenidas en cuenta al planear la cirugía refractiva por sus implicaciones en el resultado final

OBJECTIVE: To compare corneal epithelial thickness (CET) between patients who underwent LASIK surgery for the correction of myopia at least one year ago and healthy subjects. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted that included 93 healthy subjects (186 eyes) and 26 subjects (52 eyes) that underwent myopic LASIK surgery. OCT-SA, combined with Placido disk, was performed on all subjects, and CET maps were measured. Statistical analysis was performed to analyse differences between groups. Multivariate analysis was also performed to look for possible predictors of final CET. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant differences between the groups in the demographic (age, sex) or anterior segment parameters (spherical equivalent, pachymetry) (all P > .05). Statistically significant differences (P < .05) were obtained between both groups when comparing CET, including central, internal, and external rings (higher in patients that underwent LASIK surgery ≥1 year). With the exception of the time elapsed since surgery (P = .00), no correlation was found between the CET and age, sex, ablated dioptres, or other variables studied (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: CET values measured by the OCT-SA were higher in patients that underwent LASIK surgery ≥ 1 year. The only variable that correlated with the CET after LASIK was the time elapsed since surgery. CET changes should be taken into consideration when planning refractive surgery due to its implications on the final outcome

Corneal epithelial thickness one year after myopic LASIK surgery, measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography combined with Placido disk. / Grosor epitelial corneal un año después de la cirugía de LASIK miópico, medido mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica de segmento anterior combinado con disco de Plácido.

OBJECTIVE: To compare corneal epithelial thickness (CET) between patients who underwent LASIK surgery for the correction of myopia at least one year ago and healthy subjects. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted that included 93 healthy subjects (186eyes) and 26 subjects (52eyes) that underwent myopic LASIK surgery. OCT-SA, combined with Placido disk, was performed on all subjects, and CET maps were measured. Statistical analysis was performed to analyse differences between groups. Multivariate analysis was also performed to look for possible predictors of final CET. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant differences between the groups in the demographic (age, sex) or anterior segment parameters (spherical equivalent, pachymetry) (all P>.05). Statistically significant differences (P<.05) were obtained between both groups when comparing CET, including central, internal, and external rings (higher in patients that underwent LASIK surgery ≥1year). With the exception of the time elapsed since surgery (P=.00), no correlation was found between the CET and age, sex, ablated dioptres, or other variables studied (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: CET values measured by the OCT-SA were higher in patients that underwent LASIK surgery ≥1year. The only variable that correlated with the CET after LASIK was the time elapsed since surgery. CET changes should be taken into consideration when planning refractive surgery due to its implications on the final outcome.

Profilaxis antirretroviral preexposición de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) / Pre-exposure antiretroviral prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

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[Qualitative analysis of the social and family impact of human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies]. / Analisis cualitativo del impacto social y familiar de las encefalopatias espongiformes transmisibles humanas.

INTRODUCTION: Human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are pathologies related to the misfolding of the cellular prion protein. When these diseases manifest, they are characterized by a rapid and invariably fatal neurodegeneration. AIM: To gain insight on the social, personal and family reality of the people in close contact with these disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted online through semi-structured questionnaires open to carriers and first-degree relatives of those affected. The information was anonymous and the responses were requested to be broad. RESULTS: The sample consisted on 47 interviewees, seven confirmed carriers and 40 relatives that might be carriers or not. The majority of the informants were women aged between 30 and 50. The discourse analysis focused on their perception of the disease, time to diagnosis, and their uncertainties/needs allowed establishing four semantic fields: suffering/loss, temporality, medical/clinical and daily life. However, other important elements were also found. Only eight relatives considered necessary to increase research efforts. Relatives also presented a higher rate of uncertainty, while confirmed carriers did not show such uncertainty about their future. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-biomedical studies related to prion pathologies are rare. In this work, our knowledge on the social reality of the affected people and their close relatives is extended. These pathologies lead those in close contact with them to extremely complicated social situations with utmost psychosocial management difficulties.

TITLE: Analisis cualitativo del impacto social y familiar de las encefalopatias espongiformes transmisibles humanas.Introduccion. Las encefalopatias espongiformes transmisibles humanas son patologias relacionadas con el plegamiento incorrecto de la proteina prionica celular. Cuando estas se manifiestan, la neurodegeneracion producida es rapida y siempre letal. Objetivo. Describir y comprender la realidad social, personal y familiar de las personas afectadas. Pacientes y metodos. Se realizaron entrevistas cualitativas en linea a traves de cuestionarios semiestructurados abiertos a portadores y a las familias de afectados. La informacion fue anonima y se solicito que las respuestas fuesen amplias. Resultados. La muestra fue de 47 entrevistados, siete portadores confirmados y 40 familiares que podrian ser portadores o no. La mayoria de los informantes eran mujeres, con una edad comprendida, sobre todo, entre 30 y 50 años. El analisis del discurso, centrado en la percepcion de la propia enfermedad, el tiempo transcurrido hasta el diagnostico, y las incertidumbres y necesidades, ha permitido establecer cuatro campos semanticos: sufrimiento/perdida, temporalidad, medico/clinica y cotidianidad. No obstante, tambien se han encontrado otros elementos importantes. Solo ocho familiares consideran necesario incrementar la investigacion. Las familias presentan una alta tasa de incertidumbre; en cambio, los portadores no muestran tal incertidumbre ante su futuro. Conclusiones. Los estudios sociobiomedicos sobre patologias prionicas son poco habituales. En el trabajo se amplia el conocimiento sobre la realidad social de las personas y de las familias afectadas. Estas patologias ubican a los afectados en situaciones sociales muy complicadas y de dificil gestion psicosocial.

Compositional analysis of dietary patterns.

Instead of looking at individual nutrients or foods, dietary pattern analysis has emerged as a promising approach to examine the relationship between diet and health outcomes. Despite dietary patterns being compositional (i.e. usually a higher intake of some foods implies that less of other foods are being consumed), compositional data analysis has not yet been applied in this setting. We describe three compositional data analysis approaches (compositional principal component analysis, balances and principal balances) that enable the extraction of dietary patterns by using control subjects from the Spanish multicase-control (MCC-Spain) study. In particular, principal balances overcome the limitations of purely data-driven or investigator-driven methods and present dietary patterns as trade-offs between eating more of some foods and less of others.

Adaptation of antibiotic treatment to clinical practice guidelines in patients aged ⩾65 years hospitalised due to community-acquired pneumonia.

Early, conforming antibiotic treatment in elderly patients hospitalised for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a key factor in the prognosis and mortality. The objective was to examine whether empirical antibiotic treatment was conforming according to the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery guidelines in these patients. Multicentre study in patients aged ⩾65 years hospitalised due to CAP in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 influenza seasons. We collected socio-demographic information, comorbidities, influenza/pneumococcal vaccination history and antibiotics administered using a questionnaire and medical records. Bivariate analyses and multilevel logistic regression were made. In total, 1857 hospitalised patients were included, 82 of whom required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Treatment was conforming in 51.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 49.1-53.8%) of patients without ICU admission and was associated with absence of renal failure without haemodialysis (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% CI 1.15-1.95) and no cognitive dysfunction (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.25-2.35), when the effect of the autonomous community was controlled for. In patients with ICU admission, treatment was conforming in 45.1% (95% CI 34.1-56.1%) of patients and was associated with the hospital visits in the last year (<3 vs. ⩾3, OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.03-7.12) and there was some evidence that this was associated with season. Although the reference guidelines are national, wide variability between autonomous communities was found. In patients hospitalised due to CAP, health services should guarantee the administration of antibiotics in a consensual manner that is conforming according to clinical practice guidelines.

Local Variation in Inclusion on Kidney Transplant Waiting Lists: Analysis in the Reference Area of a Kidney Transplant Center.

BACKGROUND: Access for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients to the renal transplant (RT) waiting list can vary depending on the criteria used and how they are applied in each dialysis unit. METHODS: This study was performed in the reference area (2.5 million inhabitants) of a transplant center. Data were from a regional registry (Information System of the Autonomous Coordination of Transplants in Andalusia) of total dialysis patients. Patients were grouped according to transplant status as: effective waiting list (WL); never recorded or excluded (E); incomplete immunologic study or discharge data (IIS); temporary contraindication (TC); or active (A). RESULTS: There were 1424 dialysis patients. Of these, 58% were E, 18% were IIS, 14% were TC, and 10% were A. Significant differences were detected for proportion of patients listed as active status (A) in 3 hospital dialysis units (2.9%-13.4%) and 12 hemodialysis centers (4.2%-29.2%); proportion of IIS cases in the hospitals (0%-57%) and dialysis centers (0%-58%); and in proportion of TC cases in the hospitals (19%-50%) and dialysis centers (2.5%-19.3%). The mean age of patients varied significantly between IIS, TC, and A groups (60.3, 54.8, and 52.3 years old, respectively, P < .001). Accentuated differences between the 2 provinces included in the sector were verified. There are notable differences in inclusion of pre-dialysis patients between hospital units. CONCLUSION: We detected considerable variability between hospital units and non-hospital dialysis centers in relation to inclusion on the active transplant waiting list and the proportion of patients with IIS or TC status. It is essential to implement a more homogeneous system for case selection through a specific intervention program from the reference center.

Reasons for Noninclusion on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List: Analysis in a Set of Hemodialysis Centers.

INTRODUCTION: End-stage renal disease patients' access to the renal transplant (RT) waiting list (WL) depends on general criteria and their specific application in the different treatment units. METHODS: Study in nonhospital hemodialysis centers (n = 9), dependent on an adult RT center. Cases included 228 patients considered to have nonactive status on the WL due to incomplete immunologic data (no blood group or HLA typing) or temporary contraindication from an incomplete pretransplant study (nonimmunologic) or comorbidity. Each individual situation was studied by reviewing the center's clinical history with the nephrologist in charge. RESULTS: Three situations were classified three groups. (1) Patients in this group had incomplete basic study (65 patients, 28.5%) pending cardiologic evaluation in 34%; urologic evaluation, 26%; both 18%; others, 9%; study not initiated, 12%. (2) Patients in this group had pre-existing or onset comorbidities (117 patients, 51.3%) pending studies or confirmed resolution: obesity, 30%; cancer, 17%; cardiovascular disease, 14%; digestive pathology, 10%; infection, 9%; neuropsychiatric disorders, 7%; multiple, 13%. (3) Patients in this group had other situations contraindicating RT (46 patients, 20.2%): poor therapeutic adherence, 30%; negative will of the patient, 26%; social issues, 9%; excluded by the center (not reported), 35%. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a high incidence of cases pending basic tests for inclusion on the WL. Obesity can be highlighted as the most frequent cause for noninclusion. Further support and coordination is required with referral hospital centers to increase and refine the RT WL.

Survival and Evolution of Renal Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients From Type II Asystolic Donations: A Single-center Experience.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, stagnation in the number of kidneys from after brain-dead donors (DBD) has stimulated the use of non-heart beating donors (NHBDs). Herein we present our 5-year experience with type II Maastricht NHBDs in renal transplantation. METHODS: All patients (n = 50) in this study received type II Maastricht NHBD kidneys (March 2012 to February 2017), with a median follow-up of 33 months. RESULTS: Mean donor age was 39 ± 12 years, mean creatinine 1.24 ± 0.2 mg/dL, and the most frequently observed blood group (donors and recipients) was type A (64%). Recipients were slightly younger (51 ± 11 years old), with mean time on dialysis of 30 ± 24 months. Almost all were primary transplants. Pre-transplant panel-reactive antibodies (PRA) were <25%; initial immunosuppression was thymoglobulin, corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and delayed introduction of tacrolimus. Six percent were nonfunctioning kidneys; 79.6% presented with delayed renal function (mean duration 14 ± 9 days). Acute rejection was seen in 6% of patients. Mean creatinine at month 3 was 1.7 ± 0.8 mg/dL, and 1.5 ± 0.8 mg/dL in the first year. The last available mean creatinine was 1.54 ± 0.7 mg/dL. Proteinuria in the third month, first year, and third year was 0.70, 0.41, and 0.26 g/d, respectively. Recipient survival at the first, third, and fifth year was 100%, 100%, and 86%, and when graft-censored for death was 94%, 91%, and 91%, respectively. The incidence of acute rejection during first year was 6%, and 2% in the second year. Exitus incidence was 4% and cytomegalovirus infection was 21.3%. BK viremia between 1000 and 10,000 copies/mL was seen in 4.3%, and reached >10,000 copies/mL in 2.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Type II NHBD has shown limited frequency of nonfunctioning kidney and high functional delay. The results in survival and renal function are very acceptable, comparable with levels seen in donation after brain death.

Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection After Renal Transplantation: Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Resistant cytomegalovirus (R-CMV) is an emerging problem in the renal transplantation population. The most frequent CMVs are high-resistance mutations (UL97 gene). METHODS: We describe our experience in management of R-CMV after renal transplant at our center (2012-2016). RESULTS: We encountered 3 cases of R-CMV infection after renal transplant (all primary infections). All 3 patients received induction therapy with corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. The first patient (basiliximab induction, preemptive CMV) developed CMV replication on day +53, which responded poorly both to standard-dose valganciclovir (vGCV) and high-dose ganciclovir (GCV) (creatinine clearance [CrCl] >70 mL/min; vGCV 900 mg twice daily for 50 days and GCV 7.5 mg/kg twice daily for 8 days). Hematologic toxicity occurred. The R-CMV test was positive and foscarnet (FOS) was initiated (90 mg/kg twice daily for 21 days). The second patient presented CMV infection (day +30, thymoglobulin induction, CMV prophylaxis), which was not controlled with the high dose (CrCl 23 mL/min; GCV 3.5 mg/kg twice daily and vGCV 900 mg twice daily), resulting in severe neutropenia. R-CMV was detected and FOS initiated (FOS 50 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days and 50 mg/kg every 2 days for 13 days). The third patient's infection occurred on day +22 (basiliximab induction, preemptive CMV). Standard-dose vGCV was uneffective (CrCl >70 mL/min, vGCV 900 mg twice daily) and it did not respond to the high dose (GCV 7.5 mg/kg twice daily and vGCV 2700 mg/d). Moderate hematologic toxicity occurred. R-CMV was diagnosed and FOS treatment begun (FOS 70 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Resistant CMV infection may be severe due to viral infection and side effects of high-dose antiviral treatment. We presented 3 cases requiring the use of FOS in the absence of response or toxic effects from the usual treatment, with an optimal sustained response (temporary in case 2) and without serious side effects.

Comparación de las características clínicas y diagnósticas de los subgrupos A y B del virus respiratorio sincitial / Comparison of clinical features and diagnosis between the A and B subgroups of respiratory syncytial virus

Fundamento: La infección del tracto respiratorio inferior por virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) es la causa más frecuente de ingreso en menores de 2 años. Los subgrupos de VRS A y B pueden circular indistintamente. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar si existían diferencias clínicas entre los VRS subgrupo A y B, y si la sensibilidad del test de detección rápida de antígeno del VRS por inmunocromatografía difiere de la técnica de referencia (RT-PCR). Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional realizado en el hospital terciario desde octubre de 2013 a marzo de 2014. Se consultó la historia clínica y las analíticas de los niños menores de 5 años ingresados en por infección respiratoria de vías bajas con RT-PCR positivo a VRS en una muestra de lavado nasal. De la misma muestra previamente se había realizado el test de detección rápida de antígeno de VRS. Resultados: Se confirmaron 198 niños menores de 5 años para VRS mediante RT-PCR: 55 (28%) fueron VRS-A, 132 (67%) VRS-B y 11 (5%) fueron positivos para ambos subgrupos. No encontramos diferencias entre subgrupos en antecedentes, clínica, radiología, analítica y gravedad. La sensibilidad del test de detección rápida fue 52%, mayor para VRS-A (69%) que para VRS-B (44%, p=0,001). Conclusiones: Los dos subgrupos de VRS fueron indistinguibles por su presentación clínica y pronóstico. La sensibilidad del test rápido en comparación con la RT-PCR fue baja, lo que limita su utilidad en la toma de decisiones clínicas (AU)

Background: Lower respiratory tract infection by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of admission in children under 2 years old. The RSV subgroups A and B may circulate simultaneously. We aimed to determine whether clinical differences exist between RSV subgroups A and B. Additionally, we tested the sensitivity of the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) based on immunochromatography in diagnosing subgroups A and B, taking the polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) as reference. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in a tertiary hospital from October 2013 to March 2014. Clinical records and analytical variables of all children under 5 admitted with lower respiratory tract infection and RT-PCR positive for RSV in nasal lavage were consulted. Previously, the RADT for RSV had been performed from the same sample. Results: A total of 198 children under 5 were diagnosed with RSV by RT-PCR: 55 (28%) were RSV-A, 132 (67%) RSVB and 11 (5%) were positive for both subgroups. No differences were observed between subgroups in medical history, symptoms, radiological and analytical findings, and severity. The sensitivity of RADT for RSV was 52%, higher for RSV-A (69%) than for RSV-B (44%, p=0.001). Conclusions: The two RSV subgroups were indistinguishable in symptoms and prognosis. The sensitivity of RADT compared to RT-PCR was low and limits its usefulness for clinical decision-making (AU)

[Effectiveness of second-generation direct-acting antivirals in chronic hepatitis C]. / Efectividad de los antivirales de acción directa de segunda generación en el tratamiento de la hepatitis C crónica.

BACKGROUND: Second-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have shown high sustained virologic response (SVR) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in clinical trials. The objective of this study is to estimate DAA effectiveness in treatment of this disease. METHODS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected patients and HCV-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected pa-tients who started interferon-free DAA based regimens during 2015 were included. The primary effectiveness outcome was SVR, defined as an undetectable viral load 12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients were enrolled, and 52 (17.7%) were HIV coinfected. HCV 1b genotype was the most prevalent in monoinfected patients (41.5%) and 1a in HIV coinfected patients (40.4%). The proportion of cirrhosis was higher among HIV coinfected patients (69.2% vs 41.1%; p<0.0001), mostly Child-Pugh A. SVR was achieved by 96.9% of patients (284/293), in an intention-to-treat analysis (CI 95%: 94.9-98.9), in which just 4 people had virologic failure. Both naïve and pretreated patients had SVR higher than 95%, and in most of subgroups, according to the presence of cirrhosis, HIV coinfection and HVC genotype, effectiveness rates were near or above 90%. CONCLUSIONS: DAA are highly effective, with similar or higher rates of SVR than that found in clinical trials, and even among difficult to treat populations.

Factors associated with seminal impairment in HIV-infected men under antiretroviral therapy.

STUDY QUESTION: How do semen parameters of HIV-infected men under antiretroviral treatment compare with WHO parameters of normal semen, and what factors are associated with any differences? SUMMARY ANSWER: Semen quality in most HIV-infected patients under antiretroviral treatment exceeds WHO limits, but the number falling below them is higher than would be expected in a healthy population. Exposure to efavirenz has a significant association with dysmotility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Dysmotility is the most frequently described sperm alteration related to HIV infection, and it has recently been linked to treatment with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, particularly to efavirenz. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Prospective cohort study. Between March 2002 and December 2013, 139 HIV-infected men undergoing antiretroviral therapy were enrolled. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were male members of serodiscordant couples who attended a clinic for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Madrid and requested reproductive counselling. Sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical data were collected. CD4+ lymphocyte count, HIV viral load, serology/viral load of hepatitis B and C viruses, syphilis serology and other STIs diagnosis were performed. Semen parameters were assessed through standard sperm analysis and were compared with WHO 2010 reference values. Factors associated with impaired semen parameters were evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The median values of all assessed semen parameters were within a normal range, but in up to 19% of HIV-positive males, at least one parameter of semen quality was below the normal range. A significant association between treatment with efavirenz and the presence of dysmotility was detected in the multivariate analysis. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Our results cannot demonstrate a causal relationship between exposure to efavirenz and impaired motility. We do not have a real comparison group as the WHO cohort is international and may not reflect local variations in semen characteristics. Subjects who requested reproductive counselling might not be representative of HIV-positive men in general. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Since efavirenz is still widely used in current therapeutic regimens may be affecting fertility in seropositive men who desire procreation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: No external funding was used for this study. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Preserving fertility in women with endometrial cancer: two clinical cases.

Endometrial cancer is diagnosed increasingly in young women who wish to have children, and treatments intended to preserve fertility in these patients are becoming more common. The authors describe two women with endometrial cancer who were diagnosed and treated at our center and who needed assisted human reproductive technology, and review current knowledge based on similar cases.