Role of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells promoting immune protection after booster vaccination in solid organ transplantation.

Introduction: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients display weak seroconversion and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and remain at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While B-cell memory is the hallmark of serological immunity, its role in driving successful vaccine responses and providing immune protection in SOT patients remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the function and interplay of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells (mBc), different cytokineproducing T cells, and cross-reactive NAb in driving seroconversion and protection against COVID-19 in two cohorts.

Humoral immunogenicity of primary yellow fever vaccination in infants and children: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Background: Vaccination plays a critical role in mitigating the burden associated with yellow fever (YF). However, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence on the humoral response to primary vaccination in the paediatric population, with several questions debated, including the response when the vaccine is administered at early ages, the effect of co-administration with other vaccines, the duration of immunity and the use of fractional doses, among others. This study summarizes the existing evidence regarding the humoral response to primary YF vaccination in infants and children.

Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV2 Infection in People Living with HIV: The Need for Specific Data.

The HIV pandemic has led to close to 40 million people living with HIV (PLWH) worldwide. To date, SARS-CoV2 has affected > 220 million people, and unprecedented global efforts have resulted in almost 6000 million doses of SARS-CoV2 vaccines being administered. Although several specific COVID-19 antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatments and SARS-CoV2 vaccines have been approved, the data available to support their use in specific populations such as PLWH remain limited.

Estimates of Cancer Mortality Attributable to Carcinogenic Infections in Italy.

Several infectious agents are ascertained causes of cancer, but the burden of cancer mortality attributable to carcinogenic infections in Italy is still unknown. To tackle this issue, we calculated the rate and regional distribution of cancer deaths due to infections sustained by seven pathogens ranked as group 1 carcinogenic agents in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Population attributable fractions related to these agents were applied to annual statistics of cancer deaths coded according to the 10th International Classification of Diseases.

Gambling disorder seeking treatment patients and tobacco use in relation to clinical profiles.

Objectives: Tobacco smoking and gambling disorder (GD) often co-occur. However, few studies have assessed the extent to which cigarette smoking may serve to classify and/or better define GD behaviour profiles.

Methods: Among a large sample of n = 3,652 consecutive treatment-seeking patients with GD (91% men).

Burden of cancer mortality attributable to carcinogenic infections in Spain.

Introduction: The impact of carcinogenic infections on cancer-related mortality is unknown.

Methods: The mortality due to cancers attributable to carcinogenic infections was estimated. The attributable fraction for the infectious agents classified as group 1 carcinogenic in human beings was applied to yearly data on causes of cancer mortality over the period 2013-2017 in Spain according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

The use of stand-by emergency treatment (SBET) for malaria in travellers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: Since SBET is a controversial strategy for malaria self-treatment, this study aims to systematically review primary studies on its use amongst travellers.

Methods: Once studies were independently selected and data extracted, the pooled effect estimates (ES) were calculated through meta-analysis. Number of SBET users, of travellers carrying medications abroad, of subjects experiencing fever, of users complying with correct dosage, of those experiencing adverse effects, of those seeking medical care following SBET use, and those with positive malaria diagnostic test were collected and analysed.

Stand-by emergency treatment (SBET) of malaria in Spanish travellers: a cohort study.

Background: Among strategies for malaria prevention, stand-by emergency treatment (SBET) is a possible approach, but scarce evidences exists investigating travellers' adherence and behaviours toward its use; therefore, the presented study aimed to determine travellers' compliance toward the SBET when prescribed in travel clinics.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at the Travel Health Clinic of the Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain, during 2017. The research was planned on survey-based design, using pre- and post-travel questionnaires.

Neurological involvement in patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection. A case-control study.

Primary HIV-1 infection is a relevant period for its virological and epidemiological consequences. Most patients present a symptomatic disease that can be potentially serious, but neurological involvement during primary HIV-1 infection has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of primary HIV-1 infection patients presenting neurological symptoms and to compare them with primary HIV-1 infection patients without neurological involvement.

Regional differences in the management and outcome of kidney transplantation in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: A 3-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: In the developed world, kidney transplantation (KT) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is well established. Developing countries concentrate 90% of the people living with HIV, but their experience is underreported. Regional differences may affect outcomes.

Cyclosporine A in addition to standard ART during primary HIV-1 infection: pilot randomized clinical trial.

Background: Initiating ART during acute/recent HIV-1 infection reduces viral reservoir formation. It has been proposed that, during this phase, the size of the viral reservoir could be further reduced by the association of immunomodulatory therapy with ART. Contradictory results have emerged, however, from two trials evaluating the impact on immune recovery and the viral reservoir of adding cyclosporine A to ART during primary HIV-1 infection.

IFN-free therapy for HIV/HCV-coinfected patients within the liver transplant setting.

Objectives: IFN-based therapy against hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) has poor effectiveness and tolerability. In HIV/HCV-coinfected liver transplant recipients, the results are even poorer. Here, we report our experience using direct antiviral agents (DAAs) in 11 consecutive coinfected patients within the LT setting.

Pregnancy in a renal transplant recipient with HIV-1 infection: a case report.

We report the first case of a pregnancy in a renal transplant recipient with HIV infection. She underwent renal transplantation in 2005 and became pregnant in 2009. The patient underwent vaginal delivery and a healthy full-term, female baby was born.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection does not worsen prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Unlabelled: The impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is uncertain. This study aimed to assess the outcome of a prospective Spanish nationwide cohort of HIV-infected patients undergoing LT for HCC (2002-2014). These patients were matched (age, gender, year of LT, center, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus infection) with non-HIV-infected controls (1:3 ratio).

Structured Treatment Interruptions and Low Doses of IL-2 in Patients with Primary HIV Infection. Inflammatory, Virological and Immunological Outcomes.

Background: Interventions during primary HIV infection (PHI) can modify the clinical course during the chronic phase. The long-term effect of structured treatment interruptions (STI) followed by low doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in treated PHI patients is unknown.

Methods: Twelve PHI patients with viral load (VL) <20 copies/mL, CD4 cells >500 cells/mm3, and CD4/CD8 ratio >1, on antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiated within the first 90 days of infection and continued for at least 12 months were included.

Prevalence of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease in individuals with chronic immune mediated inflammatory disorders.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) and to assess whether age-associated progression in ankle-brachial index (ABI) differs between individuals with chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (CIID) and the general population.

Methods: Pooled analysis with data from individuals aged 50 years and older with ABI measurements, obtained from population-based cross-sectional studies conducted in Catalonia (Spain). Information on three CIID diagnoses (i.

Trends in Transmission of Drug Resistance and Prevalence of Non-B Subtypes in Patients with Acute or Recent HIV-1 Infection in Barcelona in the Last 16 Years (1997-2012).

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and non-B subtypes in patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection in Barcelona during the period 1997-2012.

Methods: Patients from the "Hospital Clínic Primary HIV-1 Infection Cohort" with a genotyping test performed within 180 days of infection were included. The 2009 WHO List of Mutations for Surveillance of Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance was used for estimating the prevalence of TDR and phylogenetic analysis for subtype determination.

New myocardial infarction definition affects incidence, mortality, hospitalization rates and prognosis.

Aims: To analyse differences in myocardial infarction incidence, mortality and hospitalization rates, 28-day case-fatality and two-year prognosis using two myocardial infarction case definitions: the classical World Health Organization definition (1994) and the European Society of Cardiology/American College of Cardiology definition (2000), which added cardiac troponin as a diagnostic biomarker.

Design: Population-based cohort of 4170 consecutive myocardial infarction patients aged 35-74 years from Girona (Spain) recruited between 2002 and 2009.

Methods: Incidence, mortality rates standardized to the European population and 28-day case-fatality were calculated.

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in HIV-infected patients with recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation: a prospective cohort study.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients.

Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre cohort study, including 78 HCV/HIV-coinfected liver transplant patients who received treatment for recurrent hepatitis C. For comparison, we included 176 matched HCV-monoinfected patients who underwent liver transplantation during the same period of time at the same centres and were treated for recurrent hepatitis C.

Update on antiretroviral treatment during primary HIV infection.

Primary HIV-1 infection covers a period of around 12 weeks in which the virus disseminates from the initial site of infection into different tissues and organs. In this phase, viremia is very high and transmission of HIV is an important issue. Most guidelines recommend antiretroviral treatment in patients who are symptomatic, although the indication for treatment remains inconclusive in asymptomatic patients.

HIV treatment outcomes in Europe and North America: what can we learn from the differences?

The access to antiretroviral treatment has been largely enlarged in Europe and North America in recent years, due to treatment guidelines that recommend earlier initiation of therapy. However, there are differences and heterogeneities in the health systems and in access and retention to care between different countries and regions, and for different subpopulations among the same country that impact in the final goal, that patients remain undetectable and in good health.

Impact of a partial smoke-free legislation on myocardial infarction incidence, mortality and case-fatality in a population-based registry: the REGICOR Study.

Background And Objective: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death, and smoking its strongest modifiable risk factor. Our aim was to determine the impact of the Spanish 2006 partial smoke-free legislation on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence, hospitalization and mortality rates, and 28-day case-fatality in Girona, Spain.

Methods: Using a population-based registry (the REGICOR Study), we compared population incidence, hospitalization, and mortality rates, and 28-day case-fatality in the pre- and post-ban periods (2002-2005 and 2006-2008, respectively) by binomial regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors.