High Hepatitis B Prevalence and Vaccination Needs Among Transgender Women and Men Sex Workers in Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Transgender women sex workers (TWSWs) and men sex workers (MSWs) are especially vulnerable to acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We aimed to describe HBV prevalence (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and core antibody [HBcAb]) and associated risk factors for HBV exposure (HBcAb), to assess vaccination status and risk factors for no prior vaccination, and to compare HBV prevalence and vaccination status between TWSWs and MSWs.

Methods: The SexCohort study was advertised to TWSWs and MSWs through several communication channels.

Mathematical modeling of SARS-CoV-2 variant substitutions in European countries: transmission dynamics and epidemiological insights.

Background: Countries across Europe have faced similar evolutions of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants.

Materials And Methods: We used data from GISAID and applied a robust, automated mathematical substitution model to study the dynamics of COVID-19 variants in Europe over a period of more than 2 years, from late 2020 to early 2023. This model identifies variant substitution patterns and distinguishes between residual and dominant behavior.

Sex and gender differences in hepatitis C virus risk, prevention, and cascade of care in people who inject drugs: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are a priority population in HCV elimination programming. Overcoming sex and gender disparities in HCV risk, prevention, and the cascade of care is likely to be important to achieving this goal, but these have not yet been comprehensively reviewed.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Analysis of a Large Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (Alpha) Outbreak in a Catalan Prison Using Conventional and Genomic Epidemiology.

Enforcing strict protocols that prevent transmission of airborne infections in prisons is challenging. We examine a large severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreak in a Catalan penitentiary center in February-April 2021, prior to vaccination deployment. The aim was to describe the evolution of the outbreak using classical and genomic epidemiology and the containment strategy applied.