Changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A in Spain (2005–2008): trends of acute hepatitis A hospitalizations, comorbidities, and costs associated with the hospitalization.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to analyze data related to hospitalization, comorbidities, median stays and costs associated with the hospitalization cases of hepatitis A in Spain, during the 2005-2008 periods.

Methods: A retrospective study of the characteristics of acute hepatitis A patients admitted to Spanish hospitals was performed using the minimum basic dataset. Costs were calculated using the diagnosis-related groups for the disease.

Trends of acute hepatitis B hospitalizations, comorbidities, fatality rate, and costs associated with the hospitalization in Spain (2001-2006).

Introduction: The objective of this study is to analyze data related to hospitalization, comorbidities, fatality rate, average stays, and costs associated with hospitalized cases of acute hepatitis B in Spain, during 2001-2006.

Methods: A retrospective study to analyze the characteristics of acute hepatitis B patients admitted to Spanish hospitals was performed using the minimum basic data set. Costs were calculated using the diagnosis-related groups for the disease.

[Surveillance and control measures of avian influenza in birds. Implications for public health].

Avian influenza is an infectious disease that mainly affects birds, caused by influenza A type viruses, in most cases of low pathogenecity. Rapid mutations of these viruses to highly pathogenic forms represent a serious risk for animal and public health. Since 2003, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in birds is taking place with transmission and resulting illness in humans and which is believed to be able to start a human influenza pandemic.