Risk of tuberculosis among pulmonary tuberculosis contacts: the importance of time of exposure to index cases.

Introduction: The intensity of exposure to index cases of tuberculosis [TB] may increase the risk of TB in their contacts. The aim was to determine TB risk factors among contacts of TB index cases.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out in the contacts of pulmonary TB cases registered by the epidemiological surveillance network from 01/01/2019 to 06/30/2021.

Two successive outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis due to norovirus GII.6 in a holiday camp house.

When two outbreaks occur in the same institution within a short period of time, an important health and social concern is generated. Two gastroenteritis outbreaks occurring a week apart in the same facility were reported in Lleida, Spain, in 2018. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, epidemiological and microbiological investigation carried out and to determine the risk factors.

Epidemiology of GII.4 and GII.2 norovirus outbreaks in closed and semi-closed institutions in 2017 and 2018.

Norovirus infections are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, with genotypes GII.2 and GII.4 being the most prevalent.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage and associated factors in seasonal fruit workers in Lleida.

Objectives: Seasonal fruit workers are a high-risk group for SARS-COV-2 infection. We aimed to estimate vaccination coverage and factors associated with vaccination in seasonal fruit workers.

Methods: We carried out an anonymous survey of seasonal fruit workers in the 2021 campaign in Baix Segria region and Lleida city (Spain) on vaccination, knowledge and attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact tracing of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic could have negative effects on tuberculosis (TB) control. The objective was to assess the impact of the pandemic in contact tracing, TB and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in contacts of patients with pulmonary TB in Catalonia (Spain).

Methods: Contact tracing was carried out in cases of pulmonary TB detected during 14 months in the pre-pandemic period (1 January 2019 to 28 February 2020) and 14 months in the pandemic period (1 March 2020 to 30 April 2021).

Norovirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Catalonia from 2017 to 2018.

Norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks of acute viral gastroenteritis. We carried out this study to investigate outbreaks in long-term care facilities reported in 2017 and 2018 in Catalonia (Spain). The characteristics of the centers, exposed persons and the genogroups responsible were analyzed.

Effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in protecting newborn: A matched case-control study.

Introduction: The objective was to estimate the effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in protecting infants aged < 2 months.

Methods: We performed a case-control study. Laboratory-confirmed cases aged <8 weeks at disease onset were identified and 2-4 matched-controls born within ± 15 days of the case were included.

Clinico-epidemiological characteristics of men and women with a new diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a database (SIDIAP) study.

Background: The risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the associated comorbidities and response to bronchodilators might differ in men and women. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of COPD and the clinic-epidemiological characteristics of primary care patients with COPD according to gender.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using electronic healthcare records Catalonia (Spain), during the 01/01/2012-31/12/2017 period.

Involvement of Workers in Closed and Semiclosed Institutions in Outbreaks of Acute Gastroenteritis Due to Norovirus.

Norovirus outbreaks frequently occur in closed or semiclosed institutions. Recent studies in Catalonia and various countries indicate that, during outbreaks in these institutions, norovirus is detected in between 23% and 60% of workers, and the prevalence of infection in asymptomatic workers involved in outbreaks ranges from 17% to 40%. In this work, we carried out a prospective study to investigate the involvement of workers in closed and semiclosed institutions during outbreaks.

Diabetes as a risk factor for severe exacerbation and death in patients with COPD: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes comorbidity is common in patients with COPD. One of the most frequent causes of hospital admission in patients with COPD are exacerbations.

Methods: Prospective cohort study, which included 512 patients with COPD recruited in a primary care centre in Mollerussa (Lleida, Spain).

[Prevalence and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers].

Objective: The objective of the study was to know the profile of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and who have never been smokers.

Design: A transversal study.

Location: Primary Care Centre of Pla d'Urgell (Primary care setting in Lleida, Spain).

Mental disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Purpose: Anxiety and depression are underdiagnosed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Few studies have tried to identify their association with hospitalization (severe exacerbation). The objective of this study was to determine whether the anxiety/depression was associated with severe exacerbation.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) not diagnosed in a population with cardiovascular risk factors.

Background And Objective: The magnitude of undiagnosed COPD in our population with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) is unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed COPD and its specific characteristics in a population with CVRF.

Materials And Methods: Study the prevalence of COPD in patients with CVRF.

A highly transmissible tuberculosis outbreak: the importance of bars.

The transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in bars is difficult to study. The objective was to describe a large TB outbreak in a company's bar and other leisure settings. A descriptive study of a TB outbreak was carried out.

Factors influencing the spread of pertussis in households: a prospective study, Catalonia and Navarre, Spain, 2012 to 2013.

We aimed to investigate transmission rates of pertussis in household contacts of cases and factors associated with transmission. A prospective epidemiological study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 to determine the incidence of pertussis among household contacts of reported cases in Catalonia and Navarre, Spain. An epidemiological survey was completed for each case and contact, who were followed for 28 days to determine the source of infection (primary case) and detect the occurrence of secondary cases.

Overview of the Impact of Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common entities in patients diagnosed with COPD. However, the impact that they have on the exacerbation of illness is scarcely studied.

Objective: To determine if the presence of anxiety and depression is associated with a greater risk of frequent exacerbation (≥2 per year) in patients diagnosed with COPD.

Mass carbon monoxide poisoning among television viewers of a football match.

Background: The objective was to study a mass carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and the characteristics of the asymptomatic cases.

Methods: On the 2nd of February, 2015, a group of more than 30 television viewers of a football match contacted the emergency department due to suspected CO poisoning from a butane stove. A visual inspection of the location of the exposure and a descriptive epidemiological study were conducted.

Norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak transmitted by food and vomit in a high school.

We investigated an outbreak of norovirus that affected students and teachers of a high school in Lleida, Spain through various transmission mechanisms. A case-control epidemiological study of the risk of disease and the relative importance of each mode of transmission was carried out. Cases and controls were selected from a systematic sample of students and teachers present at the school on 28 January.

Person-to-person transmission of norovirus resulting in an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at a summer camp.

Background: A significant proportion of norovirus (NV) gastroenteritis outbreaks described in the Spanish literature have been because of contaminated food or water.

Aim: This study describes an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis because of NV in which there was person-to-person transmission.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out; we established the case definition for primary and secondary cases.

Immigrants do not transmit tuberculosis more than indigenous patients in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Immigrants may not transmit tuberculosis (TB) more than indigenous patients. The objective was to study the prevalence of TB infection among contacts of immigrant and indigenous TB patients and the risk factors associated with latent TB infection.

Methods: Contacts of TB cases recorded in 2005 and 2006 were surveyed using a standardized Health Department questionnaire.

Smoking in tuberculosis patients increases the risk of infection in their contacts.

Objective: To determine the risk of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) among contacts of smokers with tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of LTBI among contacts of TB cases aged >14 years in Catalonia, Spain. A survey was carried out for each TB case and their contacts.