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.

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).

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.

Toscana virus infection in Catalonia (Spain).

Toscana virus (TOSV), an arthropod-borne phlebovirus, is an important agent of acute meningitis and meningoencephalitis in the Mediterranean area. The epidemiology of the infection in humans in Catalonia is at present unknown. In this study, we found a seroprevalence of infection of 6%, and 2 clinical cases were detected by serology and/or PCR.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: In recent years there has been a substantial reduction in hepatitis B incidence as a result of routine vaccination of preadolescents and the selective vaccination of high risk groups and newborns of HBsAg+ mothers.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection markers and of serologic markers of hepatitis B vaccination in a representative sample of pregnant women in Catalonia.

Study Design: A representative sample was obtained by random cluster sampling (hospitals with maternity units) stratified by provinces.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in children in the northeast of Spain.

The prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) antibodies was studied with a representative sample of 1,249 healthy children aged between 6 and 15 years. IgG anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 57 (4.6%) of the 1,249 samples analyzed, suggesting that some children are exposed to HEV in early childhood.

Seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus infection in child and adult population of Catalonia (Spain).

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of varicella IgG antibodies in the population of Catalonia, and the variables associated. The study was carried out in 2002 in a representative sample of juvenile (5-14 years) and adult population (> or =15 years) of Catalonia (Spain). The global prevalence determined by ELISA test was 95.

Declining hepatitis A seroprevalence in adults in Catalonia (Spain): a population-based study.

Background: One of the main uses of seroprevalence studies it to evaluate vaccination programmes. In 1998, a programme of universal vaccination of preadolescents in schools with the hepatitis A vaccine was begun in Catalonia. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis A virus infection (HAV) in a sample of the adult population of Catalonia in 2002 and to evaluate the changes with respect to a survey carried out in 1996.

Rubella immune status of indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Catalonia, Spain.

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of rubella antibodies in representative samples of pregnant women in Catalonia.

Methods: A representative sample of pregnant women in Catalonia was obtained by random sampling by clusters (hospitals with maternity units) stratified by provinces. Blood was obtained from the umbilical cord at childbirth in 1538 women (of whom 308 were immigrants) and was tested for rubella antibodies by ELISA (Enzime-linked immunosorbent assay).

Community-based seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis E virus infection in Catalonia, Spain.

The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in a population sample from Catalonia and to analyze the demographic and clinical variables associated with the presence of these antibodies. A total of 1,280 subjects between 15 and 74 years of age were selected randomly from urban and rural areas. Data for sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected by using a questionnaire.

Rubella elimination programme strengthened through measles elimination programme in Catalonia.

The drastic fall in rubella cases recorded in Catalonia from 1988 on, when the second dose of Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine was implemented, and especially from 1998, when the measles elimination programme began, led to the introduction, in May 2002, of the rubella and congenital rubella syndrome elimination by 2005 programme. From May 2002 to May 2004, 13 suspected rubella cases were reported to the Statutory Disease Reporting System; of these, one postnatal case and one congenital rubella case were confirmed (15.4%), both being imported cases.

Prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in schoolchildren in Catalonia (Spain) after the introduction of universal hepatitis A immunization.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies (anti-HAV) in schoolchildren in Catalonia and to compare it with the rates found in previous studies. Sera from a representative sample of 1,342 children aged between 6 and 15 years, recruited in 2001, were tested for anti-HAV. The results were related to sociodemographic variables and vaccination history.