Correction: Influenza vaccination coverage and factors associated with severe laboratory-confirmed influenza-related illness in patients receiving care at a tertiary hospital in Catalonia (Spain) during the 2018-2019 epidemic season.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variant transitions using differences in diagnostic cycle threshold values of target genes.

Monitoring the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants is important to detect potential risks of increased transmission or disease severity. We investigated the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants from real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) routine diagnostics data. Cycle threshold (Ct) values of positive samples were collected from April 2021 to January 2022 in the Northern Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (n = 15,254).

Viral dynamics in patients with monkeypox infection: a prospective cohort study in Spain.

Background: Monkeypox DNA has been detected in skin lesions, saliva, oropharynx, urine, semen, and stool of patients infected during the 2022 clade IIb outbreak; however, the viral dynamics within these compartments remain unknown. We aimed to characterise the viral load kinetics over time in various parts of the body.

Methods: This was an observational, prospective, multicentre study of outpatients diagnosed with monkeypox in two hospitals and two sexual health clinics in Spain between June 28, 2022, and Sept 22, 2022.

Epidemiological and Genomic Analysis of a Large SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in a Long-Term Care Facility in Catalonia, Spain.

Limiting outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is a cornerstone strategy to avoid an excess of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality and to reduce its burden on the health system. We studied a large outbreak that occurred at an LTCF, combining methods of classical and genomic epidemiology analysis. The outbreak lasted for 31 days among residents, with an attack rate of 98% and 57% among residents and staff, respectively.

Evaluating the Accuracy of Self-Collected Swabs for the Diagnosis of Mpox.

We evaluated the accuracy of patient-collected skin lesions, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs among 50 individuals enrolled in a study of mpox viral dynamics. We found that the performance of self-collected samples was similar to that of physician-collected samples, suggesting that self-sampling is a reliable strategy for diagnosing mpox.

Clinical presentation and virological assessment of confirmed human monkeypox virus cases in Spain: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: In May, 2022, several European countries reported autochthonous cases of monkeypox, which rapidly spread globally. Early reports suggest atypical presentations. We aimed to investigate clinical and virological characteristics of cases of human monkeypox in Spain.

Detection and Prevalence of Macrolide and Fluoroquinolone Resistance in in Badalona, Spain.

Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance (MLr/FQr) in (MG) infections is concerning worldwide. Current guidelines recommend performing MLr detection in MG-positive cases to adjust antimicrobial therapy. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of PCR followed by pyrosequencing for MLr detection in comparison with a one-step commercial assay and to assess the prevalence of MLr and FQr in Badalona, Spain.

Analytical Performance of Quantitative DiaSorin Liaison SARS-COV-2 Antigen Test for the Asymptomatic Population.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen (Ag) tests have been widely employed to identify patients for a rapid diagnosis and pandemic control. Rapid lateral-flow techniques are currently the most used, but automated technologies have emerged as another viable alternative to molecular methods. We aimed to evaluate the analytical performance of the DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 Ag test in asymptomatic population and close contacts, for its use as a tool in pandemic control efforts.

Influenza vaccination coverage and factors associated with severe laboratory-confirmed influenza-related illness in patients receiving care at a tertiary hospital in Catalonia (Spain) during the 2018-2019 epidemic season.

Introduction: Influenza vaccination rates in risk groups remain suboptimal. Evidence supporting a significant association between influenza vaccination and severe illness is limited.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of out- and inpatients with laboratory-confirmed influenza infection attended during the 2018-19 epidemic season.

Same-day SARS-CoV-2 antigen test screening in an indoor mass-gathering live music event: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The banning of mass-gathering indoor events to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread has had an important effect on local economies. Despite growing evidence on the suitability of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) for mass screening at the event entry, this strategy has not been assessed under controlled conditions. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a prevention strategy during a live indoor concert.

Effect of vaccination on the prevention of influenza-related severe illness in adults attended in a third level hospital during the 2017-2018 epidemic season.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of influenza vaccination on the prevention of influenza-related severe cases in adults treated in a third-level hospital during the 2017-2018 epidemic season.

Methodology: A descriptive analysis was performed on the entire population of subjects with a laboratory-confirmed influenza test during the 2017-2018 season. A severe case was defined as a patient treated in one of the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and/or death.

Evaluation of the Luminex xTAG-GPP (Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel) in the diagnosis of diseases with acute diarrhoea.

Introduction: Most Microbiology laboratories use different techniques for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections. Some of which require at least 72 hours to obtain final results.

Material And Methods: The gastrointestinal panel Luminex (xTAG-GPP, Luminex Molecular Diagnostics, Toronto, Canada) is a qualitative multiplex fast and sensitive assay able to detect and to identify the 15 most common pathogens causing gastrointestinal infection simultaneously.