Immune dysfunction prior to and during vaccination in multiple myeloma: a case study based on COVID-19.

Infection is the leading cause of death in multiple myeloma (MM). However, the cellular composition associated with immune dysfunction is not defined. We analyzed immune profiles in the peripheral blood of patients with MM (n = 28) and B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 53) vs. health care practitioners (n = 96), using multidimensional and computational flow cytometry. MM patients displayed altered distribution of most cell types (41/56, 73%), particularly within the B-cell (17/17) and T-cell (20/30) compartments. Using COVID-19 as a case study, we compared the immune response to vaccination based on 64,304 data points generated from the analysis of 1099 longitudinal samples. MM patients showed limited B-cell expansion linked to lower anti-RBD and anti-S antibody titers after the first two doses and booster. The percentages of B cells and CD4+ T cells in the blood, as well as the absolute counts of B cells and dendritic cells, predicted vaccine immunogenicity at different time points. In contrast with the humoral response, the percentage and antigen-dependent differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells was not altered in MM patients. Taken together, this study defined the cellular composition associated with immune dysfunction in MM and provided biomarkers such as the B-cell percentage and absolute count to individualize vaccination calendars.

[Brote de la COVID-19 en una residencia en ancianos correctamente vacunados. Influencia de la inmunidad híbrida en la carga viral, el riesgo de infección y el riesgo de progresión de la enfermedad]. / COVID-19 outbreak in a properly vaccinated nursing home. Influence of hybrid immunity on viral load, risk of infection and risk of disease progression.

OBJECTIVE: This study addressed a COVID-19 outbreak in a nursing home, where the residents were vaccinated with two doses of Comirnaty® and thirty of them had previously had the infection. Outbreaks in closed communities are opportunities to study the entire clinical spectrum of the disease and, as in this case, the effect of hybrid immunity on transmission, infection progression and viral load. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective cohort study in the resident population was carried out. Attack rates were calculated for one of four stages of the disease: infection, symptomatic infection, hospitalization, and death. Relative risks (RR) were then estimated using simple and multivariate Poisson regression for each of these stages. RESULTS: The attack rate was 59% (56/95). The clinical spectrum was the same in both sexes. There was a notable protective effect of hybrid immunity against transmission (67%). In terms of progression, those with hybrid immunity had a lower risk of symptomatic infection. Nasopharyngeal viral load was significantly lower in individuals with hybrid immunity and asymptomatic individuals, supporting the idea of lower transmissibility in this group. Age was identified as a risk factor for disease progression. Molecular analysis identified the Delta B.1.617.2 variant in the patients and an air sample, supporting aerosol transmission in closed, poorly ventilated environments. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive view of an outbreak in a vaccinated nursing home, highlighting the importance of hybrid immunity. The results support the individual consideration of previous infection history when assessing the risk of COVID-19, contributing to the understanding of the evolution of the pandemic in the future.

OBJECTIVE: Este estudio abordó un brote de la COVID-19 en una residencia de ancianos, donde los residentes estaban vacunados con dos dosis de Comirnaty® y treinta de ellos habían pasado anteriormente la infección. Los brotes en colectivos cerrados son oportunidades para estudiar todo el espectro clínico de la enfermedad y, como en este caso, el efecto de la inmunidad híbrida sobre la transmisión, la progresión de la infección y la carga viral. METHODS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y de cohortes retrospectivo en la población de residentes. Se calcularon las tasas de ataque para uno de cuatro estadios de la enfermedad: infección, infección sintomática, hospitalización y defunción. Después se estimaron los riesgos relativos (RR) mediante regresión de Poisson simple y multivariante para cada uno de esos estadios. RESULTS: La tasa de ataque fue del 59% (56/95). El espectro clínico fue igual en ambos sexos. Hubo un notable efecto protector de la inmunidad híbrida contra la transmisión (67%). En términos de progresión, aquellos con inmunidad híbrida presentaron un riesgo menor de infección sintomática. La carga viral nasofaríngea fue significativamente menor en individuos con inmunidad híbrida y asintomáticos, respaldando la idea de una menor transmisibilidad en este grupo. La edad se identificó como un factor de riesgo para la progresión de la enfermedad. El análisis molecular identificó la variante Delta B.1.617.2 en los pacientes y una muestra de aire, lo que respaldó la transmisión por aerosol en entornos cerrados y mal ventilados. CONCLUSIONS: Este estudio proporciona una visión integral de un brote en una residencia de ancianos vacunados, destacando la importancia de la inmunidad híbrida. Los resultados respaldan la consideración individual de la historia de infección previa al evaluar el riesgo de la COVID-19, contribuyendo a la comprensión de la evolución de la pandemia en el futuro.

Cellular Immunity of SARS-CoV-2 in the Borriana COVID-19 Cohort: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Our goal was to determine the cellular immune response (CIR) in a sample of the Borriana COVID-19 cohort (Spain) to identify associated factors and their relationship with infection, reinfection and sequelae. We conducted a nested case-control study using a randomly selected sample of 225 individuals aged 18 and older, including 36 individuals naïve to the SARS-CoV-2 infection and 189 infected patients. We employed flow-cytometry-based immunoassays for intracellular cytokine staining, using Wuhan and BA.2 antigens, and chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Logistic regression models were applied. A total of 215 (95.6%) participants exhibited T-cell response (TCR) to at least one antigen. Positive responses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were 89.8% and 85.3%, respectively. No difference in CIR was found between naïve and infected patients. Patients who experienced sequelae exhibited a higher CIR than those without. A positive correlation was observed between TCR and anti-spike IgG levels. Factors positively associated with the TCR included blood group A, number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses received, and anti-N IgM; factors inversely related were the time elapsed since the last vaccine dose or infection, and blood group B. These findings contribute valuable insights into the nuanced immune landscape shaped by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

Impacto de la pandemia en varias enfermedades infecciosas con patrones epidemiológicos distintos de estacionalidad, transmisión y edad / mpact of the pandemic on various infectious diseases with different epidemiological patterns of seasonality, transmission and age

Fundamentos: la pandemia de la covid-19 ha tenido un fuerte impacto sobre otras enfermedades infecciosas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los cambios epidemiológicos acaecidos durante la pandemia en ocho enfermedades infecciosas con patrones epidemiológicos distintos: la gripe; virus respiratorio sincitial; rotavirus; neumococo; campylobacter; salmonella no tifoidea; gonococia; herpes zóster.métodos: a partir de la red de vigilancia microbiológica, se trazó la serie temporal de casos desde enero de 2017 a marzo de 2023. Se distinguieron tres periodos: prepandemia (referencia), pandemia e inicio de la pospandemia. Se analizó la distribución por edad y sexo en esos periodos. Se calcularon las tasas de incidencia y las razones de tasas (rt). Se estimaron esas rt globales y sus intervalos de confianza al 95% por cada año de edad en menores de cinco años. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el impacto que la pandemia tuvo en cada una de esas enfermedades. Algunas, tras un periodo de silencio epidémico, revelaron un repunte intenso pospandémico. Incrementaron la rt global postpandémica la gripe (2,4), vrs (1,9) y gonococia (3,1); recuperó su nivel prepandémico el rotavirus (1,07); y disminuyeron el neumococo (0,84), campylobacter (0,83) y salmonella (0,60). En menores de cinco años, los patrones fueron específicos y hete-rogéneos para cada enfermedad.conclusiones: el impacto de la pandemia es muy diferente en estas enfermedades. Las infecciones víricas estacionales pediá-tricas y de transmisión respiratoria son las que más se ven afectadas, pero con patrones de recuperación de la normalidad distintos. Las infecciones bacterianas gastrointestinales sufren menos variaciones, salvo el rotavirus. La gonococia no interrumpe su tendencia al aumento avistada ya en la prepandemia. El herpes zóster muestra un ligero incremento pospandémico. Se han estudiado varias enfermedades con distinto patrón epidemiológico durante un periodo suficiente para observar cómo se produce la salida de la fase aguda de la pandemia.(AU)

Background: the covid-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on other infectious diseases. The aim of this paper was to analyze the epidemiological changes that occurred during the pandemic in eight infectious diseases with different epidemiological patterns: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, pneumococcus, campylobacter, non-typhoid salmonella, gonorrhea and herpes zoster.methods: from the microbiological surveillance network, the time series of cases was traced from january 2017 to march 2023. Three periods were distinguished: reference, pandemic and beginning of the post-pandemic. The distribution by age and sex in these periods was analyzed. Incidence rates and rate ratios (rr) were calculated. These rrs and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated overall and by year of age in children under five years of age. Results: statistically significant differences were found in the impact that the pandemic had on each of these diseases. Some, after a period of epidemic silence, have revealed an intense post-pandemic rebound. The post-pandemic global rt increased for influenza (2.4), rsv (1.9) and gonorrhea (3.1); rotavirus recovered its pre-pandemic level (1.07); and pneumococcus (0.84), campylobacter (0.83) and salmonella (0.60) decreased. In children under 5 years of age, the patterns were specific and heterogeneous for each disease.conclusions: the impact of the pandemic is very different in these diseases. Pediatric and respiratory-transmitted seasonal viral infections are the ones that are most affected, but with different patterns of recovery to normality. Gastrointestinal bacterial infections suffer fewer variations, except for rotavirus. Gonorrhea do not interrupt its increasing trend seen in the pre-pandemic. Shingles show a slight post-pandemic increase. Several diseases with different epidemiological patterns have been studied for a sufficient period to observe how the acute phase of the pandemic emerges.(AU)

[Impact of the pandemic on various infectious diseases with different epidemiological patterns of seasonality, transmission and age]. / Impacto de la pandemia en varias enfermedades infecciosas con patrones epidemiológicos distintos de estacionalidad, transmisión y edad.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on other infectious diseases. The aim of this paper was to analyze the epidemiological changes that occurred during the pandemic in eight infectious diseases with different epidemiological patterns: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, pneumococcus, Campylobacter, non-typhoid Salmonella, gonorrhea and herpes zoster. METHODS: From the Microbiological Surveillance Network, the time series of cases was traced from January 2017 to March 2023. Three periods were distinguished: reference, pandemic and beginning of the post-pandemic. The distribution by age and sex in these periods was analyzed. Incidence rates and rate ratios (RR) were calculated. These RRs and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated overall and by year of age in children under five years of age. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the impact that the pandemic had on each of these diseases. Some, after a period of epidemic silence, have revealed an intense post-pandemic rebound. The post-pandemic global RT increased for influenza (2.4), RSV (1.9) and gonorrhea (3.1); rotavirus recovered its pre-pandemic level (1.07); and pneumococcus (0.84), Campylobacter (0.83) and Salmonella (0.60) decreased. In children under 5 years of age, the patterns were specific and heterogeneous for each disease. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the pandemic is very different in these diseases. Pediatric and respiratory-transmitted seasonal viral infections are the ones that are most affected, but with different patterns of recovery to normality. Gastrointestinal bacterial infections suffer fewer variations, except for rotavirus. Gonorrhea do not interrupt its increasing trend seen in the pre-pandemic. Shingles show a slight post-pandemic increase. Several diseases with different epidemiological patterns have been studied for a sufficient period to observe how the acute phase of the pandemic emerges.

OBJECTIVE: La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha tenido un fuerte impacto sobre otras enfermedades infecciosas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los cambios epidemiológicos acaecidos durante la pandemia en ocho enfermedades infecciosas con patrones epidemiológicos distintos: la gripe; virus respiratorio sincitial; rotavirus; neumococo; Campylobacter; Salmonella no tifoidea; gonococia; herpes zóster. METHODS: A partir de la Red de Vigilancia Microbiológica, se trazó la serie temporal de casos desde enero de 2017 a marzo de 2023. Se distinguieron tres periodos: prepandemia (referencia), pandemia e inicio de la pospandemia. Se analizó la distribución por edad y sexo en esos periodos. Se calcularon las tasas de incidencia y las razones de tasas (RT). Se estimaron esas RT globales y sus intervalos de confianza al 95% por cada año de edad en menores de cinco años. RESULTS: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el impacto que la pandemia tuvo en cada una de esas enfermedades. Algunas, tras un periodo de silencio epidémico, revelaron un repunte intenso pospandémico. Incrementaron la RT global postpandémica la gripe (2,4), VRS (1,9) y gonococia (3,1); recuperó su nivel prepandémico el rotavirus (1,07); y disminuyeron el neumococo (0,84), Campylobacter (0,83) y Salmonella (0,60). En menores de cinco años, los patrones fueron específicos y heterogéneos para cada enfermedad. CONCLUSIONS: El impacto de la pandemia es muy diferente en estas enfermedades. Las infecciones víricas estacionales pediátricas y de transmisión respiratoria son las que más se ven afectadas, pero con patrones de recuperación de la normalidad distintos. Las infecciones bacterianas gastrointestinales sufren menos variaciones, salvo el rotavirus. La gonococia no interrumpe su tendencia al aumento avistada ya en la prepandemia. El herpes zóster muestra un ligero incremento pospandémico. Se han estudiado varias enfermedades con distinto patrón epidemiológico durante un periodo suficiente para observar cómo se produce la salida de la fase aguda de la pandemia.

Long COVID Prevalence and the Impact of the Third SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Dose: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Third Follow-Up of the Borriana Cohort, Valencia, Spain (2020-2022).

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak linked to mass gathering dinners at the Falles Festival in Borriana, Spain, resulted in an estimated attack rate of 42.6% among attendees. METHODS: In June 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional follow-up study of 473 adults aged 18 to 64 who attended the dinners at the Falles Festival in 2020, examining the cumulative experience after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination responses. Data included demographic details, lifestyle habits, medical history, infection records, and vaccinations from a population-based vaccine registry. Blood samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and cellular immunity. We employed a doubly robust inverse-probability weighting analysis to estimate the booster vaccine dose's impact on long COVID prevalence and symptom count. RESULTS: A total of 28.1% of participants met the WHO criteria for long COVID, with older individuals showing higher rates. Long COVID diagnosis was less likely with factors including O blood group, higher occupational status, physical activity, three vaccine doses, strong SARS-CoV-2-S-reactive IFNγ-producing-CD8+ response, and infection during the Omicron period. Increased age, high or low social activity, underlying health conditions, a severe initial COVID episode, and reinfection were associated with higher long COVID likelihood. A booster dose, compared to one or two doses, reduced long COVID risk by 74% (95% CI: 56% to 92%) and symptom count by 55% (95% CI: 32% to 79%). CONCLUSION: Long COVID was prevalent in a significant portion of those who contracted COVID-19, underscoring the need for sustained follow-up and therapeutic strategies. Vaccinations, notably the booster dose, had a substantial beneficial effect on long-term infection outcomes, affirming the vaccination's role in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 infection consequences.

Innovative Health and Social Integrated Care Model Effectiveness to Improve Quality Care for Chronic Patients: A Single Group Assignment Clinical Trial.

Background: Patients with chronic disease have become one of the major challenges for health and social protection systems in developed countries. Integrated care models (ICM) have demonstrably improved the quality of care of chronic patients. However, new models of integration need further evaluation of its effectiveness and outcomes. Methods: The ICM studied promoted coordination between the health and social sectors during a 6-month period, through an ad hoc developed application (app) that enabled a constant flow of communication between professionals from both sectors. Patients' quality of life, treatment adherence, chronic patient experience and caregiver overload were assessed by questionnaires at baseline, at the end of the intervention and 6 months post-intervention. Results: The implementation of the new health and social ICM permitted new case detection and medical and social services offered to chronic patients. Furthermore, the quality of life and treatment adherence of patients and caregiver overload were significantly improved. These positive effects lasted at least 6 months after the intervention. Conclusions: Integrated care may facilitate access to care services, increase perceived patient quality of life and treatment adherence. Enhanced access to medical and social services from complex chronic patients may have important implications for caregivers and the care systems who are struggling to adapt to an expanding demand.

ABO Blood Groups and Incidence of COVID-19 in the Mass Gathering Events in Borriana (Spain), March 2020: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Our objective was to estimate the incidence of COVID-19 and the ABO blood Groups in the mass-gathering events (MGEs) during the Falles Festival in Borriana (Spain) from 6-10 March 2020. We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study and measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the ABO of participants. We performed laboratory COVID-19 tests and obtained the ABO in 775 subjects (72.8% of the original exposed cohort): O-group (45.2%), A-group (43.1%), B-group (8.5%) and AB-group (3.4%). Adjusted for confounding factors, including COVID-19 exposure during the MGEs, attack rates of COVID-19 for each ABO group were 55.4%, 59.6%, 60.2%, and 63.7%. The adjusted relative risks were for O-group 0.93 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.83-1.04), for A-group 1.06 (95% CI 0.94-1.18), for B-group 1.04 (95%CI 0.88-1.24), and for AB-group 1.11 (95% CI 0.81-1.51) with no significant differences. Conclusions: Our results suggest no effect of ABO on COVID-19 incidence. We observed weak but not significant protection of the O-group and not a significantly greater infection risk for the remaining groups compared with the O-group. More studies are needed to resolve the controversies regarding the association between ABO and COVID-19.

Integrated Care Model Salut+Social Assessment by Professionals, Informal Caregivers and Chronic or Social Dependent Patients: A Qualitative Study.

We explored the views of the professionals (from primary care and social services) and users (caregivers and patients) who participated in the clinical trial of the Salut+Social integrated care model to identify the implementation barriers and facilitators, to assess the impact on health and wellbeing and to obtain an assessment of the program. A qualitative descriptive study with a pragmatic, utilitarian approach was performed. Participants were recruited by purposive and convenience sampling. A focus group (FG) and in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals and users, respectively. Thematic content analysis was employed. A total of 11 professionals and 8 users participated in the FG and interviews, respectively. Seven themes were identified: (1) contextualizing the previous scenario; (2) achievements of the program from the professionals' perspective; (3) facilitators and barriers of the integrated care model; (4) proposals for improving the integrated care model; (5) users' assessment of the care received within the program framework; (6) users' perception of the impact on health and wellbeing; (7) users' demands for better care. Professionals reported improved coordination between services and highlighted the need for a protocol for emergencies and to strengthen community orientation. Users proposed more frequent home visits. This study shows the acceptability of the new model by professionals and the users' satisfaction with the care received.

Incidence, Hospitalization, Mortality and Risk Factors of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Residential Homes for Patients with Chronic Mental Illness.

Long-term care residential homes (LTCRH) for patients with chronic mental illness have suffered the enormous impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate incidence, hospitalization, mortality, and risk factors of COVID-19 to prevent future epidemics. From March 2020 to January 2021 and before vaccination anti-SARS-CoV-2 begins, cumulate incidence rate (CIR), hospitalization rate (HR), mortality rate (MR), and risk factors of COVID-19 in the 11 LTCRH of two Health Departments of Castellon (Spain) were studied by epidemiological surveillance and an ecological design. Laboratory tests confirmed COVID-19 cases, and multilevel Poisson regression models were employed. All LTCRH participated and comprised 346 residents and 482 staff. Residents had a mean age of 47 years, 40% women, and suffered 75 cases of COVID-19 (CIR = 21.7%), five hospitalizations (HR = 1.4%), and two deaths (MR = 0.6%) with 2.5% fatality-case. Staff suffered 74 cases of the disease (CIR = 15.4%), one hospitalization (HR = 0.2%), and no deaths were reported. Risk factors associated with COVID-19 incidence in residents were private ownership, severe disability, residents be younger, CIR in municipalities where LTCRH was located, CIR in staff, and older age of the facilities. Conclusion: COVID-19 incidence could be prevented by improving infection control in residents and staff and modernizing facilities with increased public ownership.

Incidence, Mortality, and Risk Factors of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes.

During the period from March 2020 to January 2021, we performed an analysis of incidence, mortality, and risk factors of COVID-19 in nursing homes (NHs) in two health departments (HDs) of Castellon (Spain) 2021 through epidemiological surveillance and an ecological design. Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, cumulative incidence rate (CIR), and mortality rate (MR) of 27 NHs were collected. Information of residents, staff, and facilities was obtained by questionnaire. Multilevel Poisson regression models were applied. All NHs in the HDs participated with 2229 residents (median: 83 years old, 67.3% women) and 1666 staff. Among residents, 815 cases (CIR: 34.8 per 100) and 202 deaths (MR: 8.7 per 100, case fatality 21.0%) were reported and, among staff, 296 cases (CIR: 19.2 per 100) without deaths. Residents' CIR and MR increased with staff CIR, age of the building, residents/staff ratios, occupancy rate, and crowding index; CIR increased with private NH ownership, large NH size, large urban area, and the percentage of women residents; and MR was associated with residents' severe disabilities. In conclusion, several risk factors of COVID-19 incidence and mortality can be prevented by improving infection and quality controls, ameliorating residents/staff ratios, improving structural facilities, and increasing NH public ownership to avoid new outbreaks.

Immune biomarkers to predict SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies.

There is evidence of reduced SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies. We hypothesized that tumor and treatment-related immunosuppression can be depicted in peripheral blood, and that immune profiling prior to vaccination can help predict immunogenicity. We performed a comprehensive immunological characterization of 83 hematological patients before vaccination and measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody response to four viral antigens at day +7 after second-dose COVID-19 vaccination using multidimensional and computational flow cytometry. Health care practitioners of similar age were the control group (n = 102). Forty-four out of 59 immune cell types were significantly altered in patients; those with monoclonal gammopathies showed greater immunosuppression than patients with B-cell disorders and Hodgkin lymphoma. Immune dysregulation emerged before treatment, peaked while on-therapy, and did not return to normalcy after stopping treatment. We identified an immunotype that was significantly associated with poor antibody response and uncovered that the frequency of neutrophils, classical monocytes, CD4, and CD8 effector memory CD127low T cells, as well as naive CD21+ and IgM+D+ memory B cells, were independently associated with immunogenicity. Thus, we provide novel immune biomarkers to predict COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in hematological patients, which are complementary to treatment-related factors and may help tailoring possible vaccine boosters.

Development and psychometric properties of the Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale-Nurse.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The literature shows a clear relationship between a good therapeutic relationship (TR) and the efficacy of nursing interventions. For the implementation of nursing psychotherapeutic interventions, the initial establishment of a good TR is essential. Several instruments assess the relationship established between the therapist and the patient in psychotherapy. However, no tool has been found to assess the quality of the TR established between the nurse and the patient. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study allowed the development and evaluation of the psychometric properties of a scale to assess the TR between the nurse and the patient in a sample of mental health nurses. The developed scale (Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale-Nurse) has psychometric properties that attest its reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and construct validity as an instrument to assess the quality of the TR established between the nurse and the patient from the nurse's perspective. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: As the TR is crucial for providing nursing care and, in particular, for implementing nursing psychotherapeutic interventions, the scale developed is a valid tool to assess the quality of the TR established between the nurse and the patient in the perspective of the mental health nurse. The use of instruments to assess the quality of the nurse-patient TR facilitates the identification of the relationship's gaps, which can serve as a basis for improving the relationship itself and the nursing care provision. ABSTRACT: Introduction The therapeutic relationship (TR) is essential to providing psychiatric and mental health nursing care. Nevertheless, no assessment tools exclusive for assessing nursing TR were found in the literature. Aim To describe and evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability and construct validity) of a scale that allows assessing the quality of TR established between the nurse and the patient. Method A survey method was adopted, using a convenience sample of 356 mental health nurses. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and Omega index. Results A total of 221 mental health nurses participated in the study (response rate = 62.08%). The scale's final structure has 25 items. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 for each of the factors. The cumulative variance explained in a four-factor structure was 71.12%. Discussion The Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale (TRAS)-Nurse presents good psychometric properties. In the light of Benner's theory, it can be an useful tool for novice nurses to better understand what aspects they should pay attention to for establishing a successful TR. Implications for Practice Mental health nurses can use the TRAS-Nurse, thus having a scale available that allows them to self-assess the quality of TR they establish with their patients.

Effectiveness of the integrated care model Salut+Social in patients with chronic conditions: A mixed methods study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Integrated care models aim to provide solutions to fragmentation of care by improving coordination. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new integrated care model (Salut + Social), which will promote the coordination and communication between social and healthcare services in southern Catalonia (Spain) to improve quality of life, adherence to treatment and access to medical services for patients with chronic conditions, and also to reduce caregiver burden. Additionally, we will evaluate the experience of caregivers, health professionals and social workers with the new model implemented. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A clinical trial using mixed methodology will be carried out. The intervention consists of improving the coordination between the social and healthcare sectors during a 6-month period, by means of information and communication technology (ICT) tools that operate as an interface for the integrated care model. The study subjects are primary care patients with chronic health and social conditions that can benefit from a collaborative and coordinated approach. A sample size of 141 patients was estimated. Questionnaires that assess quality of life, treatment adherence, medical service and caregiver burden will be used at baseline and at 6, 9, and 12 months after the beginning of the study. The principal variable is quality of life. For statistical analysis, comparisons of means and proportions at different time points will be performed. A discussion group and semi-structured interviews will be conducted with the aim of improving the care model taking into account the opinions of professionals and caregivers. A thematic content analysis will be carried out. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol has been approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (code P17/100). Articles will be published in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical-Trials.gov: NCT04164160.

Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties Assessment of the NOC Outcome "Cognition" in a Sample of Portuguese Adults With Mental Illness.

PURPOSE: Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties assessment of the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) outcome "Cognition" in a sample of Portuguese adults with mental illness. METHODS: Methodological study. FINDINGS: The final European Portuguese version of the NOC outcome "Cognition", consisting of 13 items, showed good psychometric properties. An exploratory factor analysis was performed from which only one factor was established. CONCLUSIONS: The European Portuguese version of the NOC outcome "Cognition" seems to gather very satisfactory psychometric properties for assessing cognition in the Portuguese population. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study contributed to advance the nursing body of knowledge and to better assess cognition in a clinical context.

Microbiota biliar en pacientes colecistectomizados: revisión de la antibioterapia empírica / Biliary microbiote in cholecystectomized PATIENTS: review of empirical antibiotherapy

INTRODUCCIÓN: La colecistitis constituye una importante causa de ingreso hospitalario. En colecistitis moderada o severa, el retraso en el tratamiento puede acarrear complicaciones graves. Nuestro objetivo es analizar los microorganismos aislados en bilis de pacientes colecistectomizados y su patrón de sensibilidad para evaluar el tratamiento empírico en aquellos casos en que la extirpación quirúrgica de la vesícula deba demorarse. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo prospectivo de los cultivos biliares de pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía desde mayo de 2013 hasta febrero de 2015, en el Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital General Universitario de Castellón. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 196 pacientes, 83 mujeres (42,3%) y 113 hombres (57,7%), con una media de edad de 61,5 años. Los antibióticos más utilizados como tratamiento empírico fueron piperacilina/tazobactam (77,8%) y amoxicilina/clavulánico (14,8%). En el 46,4% de los pacientes (91/196) los cultivos de bilis fueron positivos. Se aislaron un total de 165 microorganismos. La mayoría eran bacilos gramnegativos (60,5%), principalmente Enterobacterales (91/54,5%), siendo Escherichia coli el microorganismo más frecuente (24%) seguido de Klebsiella spp. (12,5%). Se aislaron 3 E. coli productoras de betalactamasa de espectro extendido (BLEE) y 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae BLEE. No se aislaron microorganismos productores de carbapenemasa ni Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina. CONCLUSIÓN: La microbiota biliar, con predominio de Enterobacterales, es similar a la encontrada en estudios europeos

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystitis is an important cause of hospital admission. In moderate or severe cholecystitis, the delay in treatment can lead to serious complications. Our objective is to analyze the microorganisms isolated in bile from cholecystectomized patients and their sensitivity pattern, to evaluate the empirical treatment in those cases in which the surgical removal of the gallbladder should be delayed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective descriptive study of biliary cultures of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from May 2013 to February 2015, in the Surgery Department of the Hospital General Universitari de Castelló. RESULTS: We studied 196 patients, 83 women (42.3%) and 113 men (57.7%), with an average age of 61.5 years. The most used antibiotics as empiric treatment were piperacillin/tazobactam (77.8%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic (14.8%). In 46.4% of patients (91/196) bile cultures were positive.165 microorganisms were isolated. The majority were Gram-negative bacilli (60.5%), mainly of the Enterobacterales order (91/54.5%), with Escherichia coli being the most frequent microorganism (24%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (12.5%).3 E. coli with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and 1 K. pneumoniae with ESBL were isolated. Microorganisms producing carbapenemase and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were not isolated. CONCLUSION: The bile microbiota, with a predominance of Enterobacterales is similar to that found in european studies

Concordancia entre la prueba de la tuberculina y el Interferon Gamma Release Assay-IGRA en pacientes con enfermedades inflamatorias mediadas por la inmunidad / Concordance between the test of the tuberculin and Interferon Gamma Release Assay-IGRA in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las terapias inmunosupresoras en el tratamiento de las enfermedades inflamatorias mediadas por la inmunidad (EIMI) predisponen a la tuberculosis, por lo que el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente (ITL) y su tratamiento reduce la probabilidad de progresión a tuberculosis activa. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la concordancia entre la prueba de la tuberculina (PT) e "Interferon Gamma Release Assay-IGRA" en relación con el tipo de EIMI y tratamiento inmunosupresor (IS). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal en pacientes con EIMI candidatos o en tratamiento IS remitidos para cribado de ITL, de Abril del 2017 hasta Mayo del 2018. Variables resultado fueron PT e IGRA. Variables explicativas: EIMI, IS, edad, sexo, vacunación BCG previa y factores de riesgo de tuberculosis. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 146 pacientes (33 [22,6%] vacunados con BCG, 1 [0,7%] con diagnóstico previo de tuberculosis y 22 [15,1%] originarios de país endémico). Índice de Kappa (k) fue de 0,338 entre PT e IGRA para la totalidad de la muestra. Menor concordancia en pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn (k=0,125), en los tratados con corticoides (k=0,222), vacunados con BCG (k=0,122) y en pacientes procedentes de países endémicos de tuberculosis (k=0,128). CONCLUSIONES: La concordancia entre la PT y el IGRA se ve afectada en pacientes con EIMI y en mayor medida en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, con la corticoterapia, con la vacunación con BCG o en los procedentes de países endémicos

INTRODUCTION: The immunosuppressive therapies in the treatment of the immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (EIMI) predispose individuals to the tuberculosis, so the screening of latent tuberculosis infection (ITL) and the treatment reduces the likelihood of a progression to an active tuberculosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the concordance between the test of the tuberculin (PT) and "Interferon Gamma Release Assay-IGRA" in relation to the type of EIMI and the immunosuppressive treatment (IS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transversal study of patients with EIMI candidates or in treatment IS forwarded to the ITL screening, from April 2017 until May 2018. The outcome variables were PT and IGRA. The explicative variables were: EIMI, IS, age, gender, prior BCG vaccination and tuberculosis risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were analyzed (33[22.6%] vaccinated with BCG, 1 [0.7%] with a pre-diagnosis of tuberculosis, and 22 [15.1%] from an endemic country). Kappa index (k) was 0,338 between PT and IGRA for the whole sample. A lower concordance was found in patients with the Crohn's disease (k=0.125), in the ones treated with corticosteroids (k=0.222), vaccinated with BCG (k=0.122) and in patients from tuberculosis endemic countries (k=0.128). CONCLUSION: The concordance between PT and IGRA is affected in patients with EIMI, and to a greater extent to patients with the inflammatory bowel disease, with the corticotherapy, with the BCG vaccination, or in the ones from endemic countries

Vitamin D status and risk of incident tuberculosis disease: A nested case-control study, systematic review, and individual-participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the association between preexisting vitamin D deficiency and incident tuberculosis (TB). We assessed the impact of baseline vitamins D levels on TB disease risk. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed the association between baseline vitamin D and incident TB in a prospective cohort of 6,751 HIV-negative household contacts of TB patients enrolled between September 1, 2009, and August 29, 2012, in Lima, Peru. We screened for TB disease at 2, 6, and 12 months after enrollment. We defined cases as household contacts who developed TB disease at least 15 days after enrollment of the index patient. For each case, we randomly selected four controls from among contacts who did not develop TB disease, matching on gender and year of age. We also conducted a one-stage individual-participant data (IPD) meta-analysis searching PubMed and Embase to identify prospective studies of vitamin D and TB disease until June 8, 2019. We included studies that assessed vitamin D before TB diagnosis. In the primary analysis, we defined vitamin D deficiency as 25-(OH)D < 50 nmol/L, insufficiency as 50-75 nmol/L, and sufficiency as >75nmol/L. We estimated the association between baseline vitamin D status and incident TB using conditional logistic regression in the Lima cohort and generalized linear mixed models in the meta-analysis. We further defined severe vitamin D deficiency as 25-(OH)D < 25 nmol/L and performed stratified analyses by HIV status in the IPD meta-analysis. In the Lima cohort, we analyzed 180 cases and 709 matched controls. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for TB risk among participants with baseline vitamin D deficiency compared to sufficient vitamin D was 1.63 (95% CI 0.75-3.52; p = 0.22). We included seven published studies in the meta-analysis and analyzed 3,544 participants. In the pooled analysis, the aOR was 1.48 (95% CI 1.04-2.10; p = 0.03). The aOR for severe vitamin D deficiency was 2.05 (95% CI 0.87-4.87; p trend for decreasing 25-(OH)D levels from sufficient vitamin D to severe deficiency = 0.02). Among 1,576 HIV-positive patients, vitamin D deficiency conferred a 2-fold (aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.22-3.90; p = 0.01) increased risk of TB, and the aOR for severe vitamin D deficiency compared to sufficient vitamin D was 4.28 (95% CI 0.85-21.45; p = 0.08). Our Lima cohort study is limited by the short duration of follow-up, and the IPD meta-analysis is limited by the number of possible confounding covariates available across all studies. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest vitamin D predicts TB disease risk in a dose-dependent manner and that the risk of TB disease is highest among HIV-positive individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency. Randomized control trials are needed to evaluate the possible role of vitamin D supplementation on reducing TB disease risk.

Missing Cases of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection of the Central Nervous System When the Reller Criteria Are Applied for HSV PCR Testing: a Multicenter Study.

Previous studies suggested that herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR testing can be safely deferred in patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts and protein levels as long as they are older than 2 years of age and are not immunocompromised, the so-called Reller criteria. In this multicenter study, we retrospectively assessed the validity of these screening criteria in our setting. A total of 4,404 CSF specimens submitted for HSV PCR testing to the respective microbiology laboratories at the participating hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were included. Six commercially available HSV PCR assays were used across the participating centers. Ninety-one of the 4,404 CSF specimens (2.1%) tested were positive for HSV DNA (75 samples for HSV-1 and 16 for HSV-2). Nine patients failed to meet the Reller criteria, of whom seven were deemed to truly have HSV encephalitis. Overall, no significant correlation between HSV PCR cycle threshold (CT ) values and WBC counts or total protein levels was found. In addition, median HSV PCR CT s were comparable between patients who met the Reller criteria and those who did not (P = 0.531). In summary, we show that HSV DNA may be detected in CSF specimens with normal WBC and protein levels collected from immunocompetent individuals older than 2 years with HSV encephalitis. Nevertheless, the data also indicate that the number of cases detected could be lowered at least by half if CSF specimens with borderline WBC counts (4 cells/mm3) as well as children of any age are systematically tested.

Influencia de la fase preanalítica en la cuantificación de la carga viral: aprendiendo de la experiencia / Influence of pre-analytical phase in viral load quantification: learning with the experience

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