The understanding of the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is critical for improving diagnostics, therapy development, and vaccines. Here, we analyzed the level of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 D614G, Delta, Gamma, Mu, and Omicron variants in D614G infected healthcare workers during a follow-up up to 6 months after recovery. We followed up 76 patients: 60.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAsymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been reported as a key player in the nosocomial spreading of COVID-19. Early detection of infected HCWs can prevent spreading of the virus in hospitals among HCWs and patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the asymptomatic infection of HCWs in a private clinic in the city of Santiago, Chile.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSarocladium kiliense is a saprophyte fungus that can cause opportunistic infections associated to invasive procedures. We report a multi-hospital nosocomial outbreak of fungemias due to this agent. Patients with positive blood culture to this agent were studied after six bloodstream infections identified in three Chilean hospitals in July 2013 were reported to Ministry of Health National Infection and Prevention Control Program.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced into the Chilean National Immunization Program (NIP) in January 2011 with a 3+1 schedule (2, 4, 6 and 12 months) without catch-up vaccination. We evaluated the effectiveness of PCV10 on pneumonia morbidity and mortality among infants during the first two years after vaccine introduction.
Methods: This is a population-based nested case-control study using four merged nationwide case-based electronic health data registries: live birth, vaccination, hospitalization and mortality.
Background: Clostridium dijfficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has become very important due to the increase in its incidence, severity, recurrence and the associated economic burden. Having a national consensus guideline is essential to improve its management.
Objective: To build a multidisciplinary and evidence-based consensus in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CDAD.
We used whole-genome sequence typing (WGST) to investigate an outbreak of Sarocladium kiliense bloodstream infections (BSI) associated with receipt of contaminated antinausea medication among oncology patients in Colombia and Chile during 2013-2014. Twenty-five outbreak isolates (18 from patients and 7 from medication vials) and 11 control isolates unrelated to this outbreak were subjected to WGST to elucidate a source of infection. All outbreak isolates were nearly indistinguishable (<5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms), and >21,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified from unrelated control isolates, suggesting a point source for this outbreak.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn 2011, Chile experienced an increase in the number of cases of IMD caused by Neisseria meningitidis group W. This epidemiological scenario prompted authorities to implement prevention strategies. As part of these strategies, the Institute of Public Heath of Chile conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of pharyngeal carriage of N.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-10) was introduced in 2011 to the National Immunization Program in Chile. It was administered in 4 doses, but in 2012 it was modified to a 3 dose program. This article shows the results of the Laboratory Surveillance System for Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated of invasive disease from 2007 to 2012 and compares the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) by age groups in the prevaccinal (2007-2010) and postvaccinal period (2012).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSerogroup W Neisseria meningitidis was the main cause of invasive meningococcal disease in Chile during 2012. The case-fatality rate for this disease was higher than in previous years. Genotyping of meningococci isolated from case-patients identified the hypervirulent lineage W:P1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Laboratory surveillance of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is performed by the Institute of Public Health of Chile. It confirms identification, classifies in serogroups and analyzes the genetic profiles of Neisseria meningitidis isolates from laboratories throughout the country.
Aim: To show the results of this surveillance from 2006 to 2012.
Background: With the upcoming licensure of Outer Membrane Protein-based vaccines against meningococcal disease, data on disease incidence and molecular characteristic of circulating N. meningitidis strains in Latin American countries is needed. Chile is, to date, one of the few countries in the region that has performed this type of work in a comprehensive collection of disease-associated strains from two consecutive years, 2010-2011.
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