The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia (Spain).

We carried out a retrospective study of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks reported between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 in Catalonia (Spain) to compare the incidence from 2015 to 2019 with that observed from 2020 to 2021. We observed a higher incidence rate of outbreaks during the prepandemic period (16.89 outbreaks/1,000,000 person-years) than during the pandemic period (6.

Effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in protecting newborn: A matched case-control study.

Introduction: The objective was to estimate the effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in protecting infants aged < 2 months.

Methods: We performed a case-control study. Laboratory-confirmed cases aged <8 weeks at disease onset were identified and 2-4 matched-controls born within ± 15 days of the case were included.

Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in closed and semi-closed facilities during 2017 in Catalonia, Spain.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a leading cause of disease worldwide. The aim of this prospective observational study is to describe the epidemiology of AGE in closed and semi-closed institutions in Catalonia. In 2017, 151 outbreaks were reported; 30.

Azithromycin to Prevent Pertussis in Household Contacts, Catalonia and Navarre, Spain, 2012-2013.

We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of azithromycin in preventing transmission of pertussis to a patient's household contacts. We also considered the duration between symptom onset in the primary patient and azithromycin administration. We categorized contacts into 4 groups: those treated within <7 days, 8-14 days, 15-21 days, and >21 days after illness onset in the primary patient.

Descriptive study of severe hospitalized cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza during five epidemic seasons (2010-2015).

Objective: The Plan of Information on Acute Respiratory Infections in Catalonia (PIDIRAC) included the surveillance of severe hospitalized cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza (SHCLCI) in 2009. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical, epidemiological and virological features of SHCLCI recorded in 12 sentinel hospitals during five influenza seasons.

Results: From a sample of SHCLCI recorded during the 5 influenza epidemics seasons from 2010-2011 to 2014-2015, Cases were confirmed by PCR and/or viral isolation in cell cultures from respiratory samples.

Effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination as post-exposure prophylaxis.

Hepatitis A (HA) has been a vaccine-preventable disease since 1995. In Catalonia, a universal combined hepatitis A+B vaccination program of preadolescents was initiated at the end of 1998. However, outbreaks are reported each year and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine or immunoglobulin (IG) is recommended to avoid cases.

Characterization of unrelated clinical Legionella pneumophila isolates in Catalonia by monoclonal subgrouping and sequence-based typing.

Aim: To characterize the genetic diversity of unrelated Legionella pneumophila clinical isolates in Catalonia and compare with other European regions.

Methods: 95 unrelated isolates were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies and sequence-based typing, 1989-2013.

Results: The isolates showed a high diversity (IOD 0.

Changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A outbreaks 13 years after the introduction of a mass vaccination program.

A hepatitis A+B vaccine vaccination program of 12-year-olds was introduced in Catalonia in 1998. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of hepatitis A outbreaks in Catalonia and estimate the preventable fraction of cases associated with outbreaks as a measure of the impact of the vaccination program. Hepatitis A outbreaks reported to the Health Department between 1991 and 2012 were analyzed.

Immigrants do not transmit tuberculosis more than indigenous patients in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Immigrants may not transmit tuberculosis (TB) more than indigenous patients. The objective was to study the prevalence of TB infection among contacts of immigrant and indigenous TB patients and the risk factors associated with latent TB infection.

Methods: Contacts of TB cases recorded in 2005 and 2006 were surveyed using a standardized Health Department questionnaire.

Factors associated to duration of hepatitis a outbreaks: implications for control.

Even though hepatitis A mass vaccination effectiveness is high, outbreaks continue to occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between duration and characteristics of hepatitis A outbreaks. Hepatitis A (HA) outbreaks reported between 1991 and 2007 were studied.

Pandemic A/H1N1 influenza: transmission of the first cases in Spain.

Introduction: Pandemic A/H1N1 influenza emerged in Mexico at the end of March 2009. Since then, it is still important to provide evidences that contributed to the international spread of the virus and to ascertain the attack rate of this new strain of influenza among the first cases in Spain that led to identify the first transmission in Europe.

Methods: Three pandemic A/H1N1 influenza groups related to an overseas flight were studied: 71 student group, 94 remaining passengers, and 68 contacts of confirmed cases.

[Characteristics of cases hospitalized for severe pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Catalonia].

Background: Influenza pandemics may cause more severe cases. The objective was to determine the characteristics of hospitalized severe cases of pandemic influenza in Catalonia and to study risk factors for admission to intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: A prospective epidemiologic study of new cases of pandemic influenza hospitalized by their severity between June 2009 and May 2010.

Epidemiological analysis of severe hospitalized 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) cases in Catalonia, Spain.

From 25th April 2009 to 20th January 2010, 771 laboratory confirmed cases of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) were admitted to intensive care units (ICU) or hospitalized in medical wards with clinical criteria of severe disease (hospitalized pneumonias, multiorganic failure, septic shock or admitted to ICU or death while hospitalized). 82% of cases were hospitalized between epidemiological week 43 and 48 (25th October - 5th December 2009). Median age of patients was 40 years (range 0-89 years) and 56% were males.

Hepatitis A outbreaks in the vaccination era in Catalonia, Spain.

Hepatitis A outbreaks have a major impact on public health services and involve case investigation and intervention measures to susceptible contacts. At the end of 1998 a universal vaccination program with a combined hepatitis A+B vaccine was started in Catalonia (Spain) in 12-years-old preadolescents. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics of hepatitis A outbreaks in the periods before and after the introduction of the preadolescent vaccination program and to estimate the preventable fraction of cases associated to outbreaks.

[Norovirus outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes in Catalonia, Spain].

Background: The low infectious dose and multiple transmission routes favour the appearance of norovirus outbreaks. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes in Catalonia.

Methods: A descriptive study of norovirus outbreaks between 15/10/2004 and 30/10/2005 was carried out.

[Epidemiology of the meningococcal disease in Catalonia before and after vaccination against serogroup C].

Backgrounds: Meningococcal disease remains a serious public health problem worldwide. In Catalonia, after implementing the vaccination program, there has been a significant decrease in cases caused by meningococcus C.

Methods: Reported cases of meningococcal disease between 1997 and 2008 were analyzed to determine the evolution after the introduction of a conjugated vaccine in Catalonia.

Mumps: a year of enhanced surveillance in Catalonia, Spain.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease candidate for elimination. Positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical case definition was assessed. During 2007, 410 suspected cases were reported in Catalonia: 348 fulfilled clinical case definition and 159 were laboratory confirmed.

Impact of the Legionella urinary antigen test on epidemiological trends in community outbreaks of legionellosis in Catalonia, Spain, 1990-2004.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of community outbreaks of legionellosis in Catalonia, Spain from 1990 to 2004, to compare two time periods (1990-1996 and 1997-2004), and to assess the influence of outbreak characteristics on the case fatality rate (CFR).

Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of the outbreaks detected by epidemiological surveillance units in Catalonia. Variables potentially related to the CFR were analyzed by logistic regression.

Changes in the evolution of meningococcal disease, 2001-2008, Catalonia (Spain).

Reported cases of meningococcal disease between 1997 and 2008 were analyzed to determine the evolution after the introduction of a conjugated vaccine. In <6 years, the incidence rate of serogroup C fell from 7.6 to 0.

Large outbreak of measles in a community with high vaccination coverage: implications for the vaccination schedule.

Background: Attempts to eliminate measles from a country or region may be disrupted by an imported case that affects indigenous persons. The objective of this study was to analyze epidemiological and clinical characteristics of a measles outbreak in Catalonia, Spain, in 2006.

Methods: Data on cases of measles reported to the Department of Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, during the period 28 August 2006 through 8 July 2007 were collected.

Aetiology and epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia (Spain) in 2004-2005.

Background: Acute infectious gastroenteritis causes substantial morbidity and economic loss.

Objective: The aetiology, epidemiology, and clinical features of acute viral gastroenteritis outbreaks reported during 1 year in Catalonia were investigated.

Study Design: This was a population-based study in which enzyme immunoassay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were used to determine the presence of virus in stool specimens from outbreaks clinically and epidemiologically compatible with a viral aetiology and negative for bacteria, parasites and toxins.

[Reporting of newly diagnosed HIV infections in Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. Implementation and results].

Objectives: To describe newly diagnosed HIV infections from the HIV Reporting System in Catalonia (2001-2003), and to compare the characteristics of the epidemic based on the use of the HIV Reporting System and the Catalonian AIDS Registry versus those based on the Catalonian AIDS Registry alone.

Methods: Data were collected from newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases between 2001 and 2003 in Catalonia.

Results: Among the newly diagnosed HIV infections (1,765) the most frequent route of HIV infection was heterosexual transmission (46.