Pub Date : 2024-05-18DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.010
Melisa Hernández-Febles, Miguel Ángel Cárdenes Santana, Rafael Granados Monzón, Xerach Bosch Guerra, María José Pena López
Introduction: In Spain, half of new HIV diagnoses are late and a significant proportion of people living with HIV have not yet been diagnosed. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated opportunistic HIV screening strategy in the hospital setting.
Methods: Between April 2022 and September 2023, HIV testing was performed on all patients in whom a hospital admission analytical profile, a pre-surgical profile and several pre-designed serological profiles (fever of unknown origin, pneumonia, mononucleosis, hepatitis, infection of sexual transmission, rash, endocarditis and myopericarditis) was requested. A circuit was started to refer patients the specialists.
Results: 6407 HIV tests included in the profiles were performed and 18 (0.3%) new cases were diagnosed (26.4% of diagnoses in the health area). Five patients were diagnosed by hospital admission and pre-surgery profile and 13 by a serological profile requested for indicator entities (fever of unknown origin, sexually transmitted infection, mononucleosis) or possibly associated (pneumonia) with HIV occult infection. Recent infection was documented in 5 (27.8%) patients and late diagnosis in 9 (50.0%), of whom 5 (55.5%) had previously missed the opportunity to be diagnosed.
Conclusions: This opportunistic screening was profitable since the positive rate of 0.3% is cost-effective and allowed a quarter of new diagnoses to be made, so it seems a good strategy that contributes to reducing hidden infection and late diagnosis.
{"title":"Evaluation of a HIV screening strategy in the hospital setting to reduce undiagnosed infection.","authors":"Melisa Hernández-Febles, Miguel Ángel Cárdenes Santana, Rafael Granados Monzón, Xerach Bosch Guerra, María José Pena López","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In Spain, half of new HIV diagnoses are late and a significant proportion of people living with HIV have not yet been diagnosed. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated opportunistic HIV screening strategy in the hospital setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between April 2022 and September 2023, HIV testing was performed on all patients in whom a hospital admission analytical profile, a pre-surgical profile and several pre-designed serological profiles (fever of unknown origin, pneumonia, mononucleosis, hepatitis, infection of sexual transmission, rash, endocarditis and myopericarditis) was requested. A circuit was started to refer patients the specialists.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>6407 HIV tests included in the profiles were performed and 18 (0.3%) new cases were diagnosed (26.4% of diagnoses in the health area). Five patients were diagnosed by hospital admission and pre-surgery profile and 13 by a serological profile requested for indicator entities (fever of unknown origin, sexually transmitted infection, mononucleosis) or possibly associated (pneumonia) with HIV occult infection. Recent infection was documented in 5 (27.8%) patients and late diagnosis in 9 (50.0%), of whom 5 (55.5%) had previously missed the opportunity to be diagnosed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This opportunistic screening was profitable since the positive rate of 0.3% is cost-effective and allowed a quarter of new diagnoses to be made, so it seems a good strategy that contributes to reducing hidden infection and late diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141066248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-18DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.008
Miguel Suárez-Robles, Clara Crespillo Andújar, Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro, Begoña Monge-Maillo, Francesca Norman, Ignacio Peña, Martina Corral, Cristina Arcas, Santiago Moreno, Jose A Pérez-Molina
Introduction: HIV infection has become a chronic disease with a good long-term prognosis, necessitating a change in the care model. For this study, we applied a proposal for an Optimal Care Model (OCM) for people with HIV (PHIV), which includes tools for assessing patient complexity and their classification into profiles to optimize care provision.
Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. Adult PHIV treated at the Tropical Medicine consultations at Ramón y Cajal Hospital from January 1 to June 30, 2023, were included. The complexity calculation and the stratification into profiles for each patient were done according to the OCM.
Results: Ninety-four participants were included, 76.6% cisgender men, with a median age of 41 years (range 23-76). Latin America and Africa were the main regions of origin (72.4%). 98% had an undetectable HIV viral load. The degree of complexity was 78.7% low, 11.7% medium, 1% high, and 8.5% extreme. The predominant profile was blue (64.9%), followed by lilac (11.7%), purple (6.3%), and green (4.3%). 7.4% were unclassifiable, of whom 57.2% had high/extreme complexity. Among the unclassifiable, mental health problems were the most common.
Conclusions: The OCM tools for People Living with HIV (PLWH) allow for the classification and stratification of most patients in a consultation with a non-standard population. Patients who did not fit into the pre-established profiles presented high complexity. Creating a profile focused on mental health or mixed profiles could facilitate the classification of more patients.
{"title":"Real-life application of a stratification model for HIV care.","authors":"Miguel Suárez-Robles, Clara Crespillo Andújar, Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro, Begoña Monge-Maillo, Francesca Norman, Ignacio Peña, Martina Corral, Cristina Arcas, Santiago Moreno, Jose A Pérez-Molina","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>HIV infection has become a chronic disease with a good long-term prognosis, necessitating a change in the care model. For this study, we applied a proposal for an Optimal Care Model (OCM) for people with HIV (PHIV), which includes tools for assessing patient complexity and their classification into profiles to optimize care provision.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. Adult PHIV treated at the Tropical Medicine consultations at Ramón y Cajal Hospital from January 1 to June 30, 2023, were included. The complexity calculation and the stratification into profiles for each patient were done according to the OCM.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ninety-four participants were included, 76.6% cisgender men, with a median age of 41 years (range 23-76). Latin America and Africa were the main regions of origin (72.4%). 98% had an undetectable HIV viral load. The degree of complexity was 78.7% low, 11.7% medium, 1% high, and 8.5% extreme. The predominant profile was blue (64.9%), followed by lilac (11.7%), purple (6.3%), and green (4.3%). 7.4% were unclassifiable, of whom 57.2% had high/extreme complexity. Among the unclassifiable, mental health problems were the most common.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The OCM tools for People Living with HIV (PLWH) allow for the classification and stratification of most patients in a consultation with a non-standard population. Patients who did not fit into the pre-established profiles presented high complexity. Creating a profile focused on mental health or mixed profiles could facilitate the classification of more patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141066253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-11DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.005
M Eulalia Valencia, Tatiana Pirogova, Delia Romera, Marta Montero, María Tasías, José Sanz, Alberto Arranz, Jorge Vergas, M Jesús Tellez, Francisco Fanjul, Antoni Campins, Miguel Cervero, Inmaculada Jarrín, Marta de Miguel, Luz Martín Carbonero, María Yllescas, Juan González
Introduction: Lung cancer (LC) screening detects tumors early. The prospective GESIDA 8815 study was designed to assess the usefulness of this strategy in HIV + people (PLHIV) by performing a low-radiation computed tomography (CT) scan.
Patients and methods: 371 heavy smokers patients were included (>20 packs/year), >45 years old and with a CD4+ <200 mm3 nadir. One visit and CT scan were performed at baseline and 4 for follow-up time annually.
Results: 329 patients underwent the baseline visit and CT (CT0) and 206 completed the study (CT1 = 285; CT2 = 259; CT3 = 232; CT4 = 206). All were receiving ART. A total >8 mm lung nodules were detected, and 9 early-stage PCs were diagnosed (4 on CT1, 2 on CT2, 1 on CT3 and 2 on CT4). There were no differences between those who developed LC and those who did not in sex, age, CD4+ nadir, previous lung disease, family history, or amount of packets/year. At each visit, other pathologies were diagnosed, mainly COPD, calcified coronary artery and residual tuberculosis lesions. At the end of the study, 38 patients quit smoking and 75 reduced their consumption. Two patients died from LC and 16 from other causes (p = 0.025).
Conclusions: The design of the present study did not allow us to define the real usefulness of the strategy. Adherence to the test progressively decreased over time. The diagnosis of other thoracic pathologies is very frequent. Including smokers in an early diagnosis protocol for LC could help to quit smoking.
{"title":"Prospective study for the early detection of lung carcinoma in patients with HIV infection (GESIDA study 8815).","authors":"M Eulalia Valencia, Tatiana Pirogova, Delia Romera, Marta Montero, María Tasías, José Sanz, Alberto Arranz, Jorge Vergas, M Jesús Tellez, Francisco Fanjul, Antoni Campins, Miguel Cervero, Inmaculada Jarrín, Marta de Miguel, Luz Martín Carbonero, María Yllescas, Juan González","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lung cancer (LC) screening detects tumors early. The prospective GESIDA 8815 study was designed to assess the usefulness of this strategy in HIV + people (PLHIV) by performing a low-radiation computed tomography (CT) scan.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>371 heavy smokers patients were included (>20 packs/year), >45 years old and with a CD4+ <200 mm<sup>3</sup> nadir. One visit and CT scan were performed at baseline and 4 for follow-up time annually.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>329 patients underwent the baseline visit and CT (CT0) and 206 completed the study (CT1 = 285; CT2 = 259; CT3 = 232; CT4 = 206). All were receiving ART. A total >8 mm lung nodules were detected, and 9 early-stage PCs were diagnosed (4 on CT1, 2 on CT2, 1 on CT3 and 2 on CT4). There were no differences between those who developed LC and those who did not in sex, age, CD4+ nadir, previous lung disease, family history, or amount of packets/year. At each visit, other pathologies were diagnosed, mainly COPD, calcified coronary artery and residual tuberculosis lesions. At the end of the study, 38 patients quit smoking and 75 reduced their consumption. Two patients died from LC and 16 from other causes (p = 0.025).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The design of the present study did not allow us to define the real usefulness of the strategy. Adherence to the test progressively decreased over time. The diagnosis of other thoracic pathologies is very frequent. Including smokers in an early diagnosis protocol for LC could help to quit smoking.</p>","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140913582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-10DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.002
Ander Uribarri García, Aitziber Aguinaga Pérez, Miguel Fernández Huerta, Carmen Ezpeleta Baquedano
{"title":"Necrotizing fasciitis from a spider bite?","authors":"Ander Uribarri García, Aitziber Aguinaga Pérez, Miguel Fernández Huerta, Carmen Ezpeleta Baquedano","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140909691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-10DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.001
J G Sánchez Cano, D Gayoso Cantero, L Moreno Núñez
{"title":"Persistent constipation. A case report.","authors":"J G Sánchez Cano, D Gayoso Cantero, L Moreno Núñez","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140909692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-04DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.03.006
Gamze Durmaz, Esin Beycan, Abdurrahman Kaya, Ali Mert
{"title":"A man with recurrent axillary abscess.","authors":"Gamze Durmaz, Esin Beycan, Abdurrahman Kaya, Ali Mert","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.03.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140873847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-04DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.02.014
Daniela de la Rosa-Zamboni, Mónica Villa-Guillén, Anaíd Bustos-Hamdan, María Isabel Rosas-Mateos, Marisol Medina-Pelcastre, Margarita Torres-García, María Isabel Franco-Hernández, María Del Carmen Castellanos-Cruz, Israel Parra-Ortega, Edmedt Fest-Parra, María Citlalli Casillas-Casillas, Ana Carmen Guerrero-Díaz
Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in neonates are frequent and highly lethal, in particular those caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. We evaluated the beneficial effects of ultraviolet C (UV-C) disinfection and copper adhesive plating on HCAIs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a third level paediatric hospital in Mexico City, both in combination of hand-hygiene (HH) and prevention bundles.
Methods: All NICU patients were included. There were 4 periods (P): P1: HH monitoring and prevention bundles; P2: P1+UV-C disinfection; P3: P2+Copper adhesive plating on frequent-contact surfaces and P4: Monitoring of P3 actions.
Results: 552 neonates were monitored during 15,467 patient days (PD). HCAI rates decreased from 11.03/1000 PD in P1 to 5.35/1000 PD in P4 (p=0.006). HCAIs with bacterial isolates dropped from 5.39/1000 PD in PI to 1.79/1000 PD in P4 (p=0.011). UV-C and copper were associated with significant HCAI prevention (RR 0.49, CI95% 0.30-0.81, p=0.005) and with lesser HCAIs with bacterial isolates (RR 0.33, CI95% 0.14-0.77, p=0.011).
Conclusions: Copper adhesive plating combined with UV-C disinfection were associated with a drop in HCAI rates and with the elimination of ESBL-caused HCAIs. Hence, we propose that these strategies be considered in MDRO proliferation preventions.
{"title":"Effect of UV-C disinfection and copper plating on healthcare-associated infections in a NICU with high ESBL infections.","authors":"Daniela de la Rosa-Zamboni, Mónica Villa-Guillén, Anaíd Bustos-Hamdan, María Isabel Rosas-Mateos, Marisol Medina-Pelcastre, Margarita Torres-García, María Isabel Franco-Hernández, María Del Carmen Castellanos-Cruz, Israel Parra-Ortega, Edmedt Fest-Parra, María Citlalli Casillas-Casillas, Ana Carmen Guerrero-Díaz","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2024.02.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2024.02.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in neonates are frequent and highly lethal, in particular those caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. We evaluated the beneficial effects of ultraviolet C (UV-C) disinfection and copper adhesive plating on HCAIs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a third level paediatric hospital in Mexico City, both in combination of hand-hygiene (HH) and prevention bundles.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All NICU patients were included. There were 4 periods (P): P1: HH monitoring and prevention bundles; P2: P1+UV-C disinfection; P3: P2+Copper adhesive plating on frequent-contact surfaces and P4: Monitoring of P3 actions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>552 neonates were monitored during 15,467 patient days (PD). HCAI rates decreased from 11.03/1000 PD in P1 to 5.35/1000 PD in P4 (p=0.006). HCAIs with bacterial isolates dropped from 5.39/1000 PD in PI to 1.79/1000 PD in P4 (p=0.011). UV-C and copper were associated with significant HCAI prevention (RR 0.49, CI<sub>95%</sub> 0.30-0.81, p=0.005) and with lesser HCAIs with bacterial isolates (RR 0.33, CI<sub>95%</sub> 0.14-0.77, p=0.011).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Copper adhesive plating combined with UV-C disinfection were associated with a drop in HCAI rates and with the elimination of ESBL-caused HCAIs. Hence, we propose that these strategies be considered in MDRO proliferation preventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140867811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-04DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2023.12.004
Fares Amer, Fan-Yun Lan, Mario Gil-Conesa, Amalia Sidossis, Daniel Bruque, Eirini Iliaki, Jane Buley, Neetha Nathan, Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, Silvia Carlos, Stefanos N Kales, Alejandro Fernandez-Montero
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus greatly affected healthcare workers and healthcare systems. It also challenged schools and universities worldwide negatively affecting in-person education. We conducted this study is to assess the evolution of SARs-CoV-2 virulence over the course of the pandemic.
Methods: A combined cohort of University students in Spain and HCWs from the two hospitals in Spain, and one healthcare system in the Greater Boston area was followed prospectively from March 8th, 2020, to January 31st, 2022 for diagnosis with COVID-19 by PCR testing and related sequelae. Follow-up time was divided into four periods according to distinct waves of infection during the pandemic. Severity of COVID-19 was measured by case-hospitalization rate. Descriptive statistics and multivariable-adjusted statistics using the Poisson mixed-effects regression model were applied. As a sensitivity analysis, information on SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and COVID-19 deaths through May 30, 2023 from the Boston area was collected.
Results: For the last two periods of the study (January 1st to December 15th, 2021 and December 16th, 2021 to January 31st, 2022) and relative to the first period (March 8th to May 31st, 2020), the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of hospitalization were 0.08 (95% CI, 0.03-0.17) and 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01-0.15), respectively. In addition, a relative risk 0.012 CI95% (0.012-0.012) was observed when comparing COVID-19 mortality versus SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/mL in Boston-area wastewater over the period (16th December 2021 to 30th May 2023) and relative to the first period.
Conclusions: The severity of COVID-19 and immunity of our populations evolved over time, resulting in a decrease in case severity. We found the case-hospitalization rate decreased more than 90% in our cohort despite an increase in incidence.
{"title":"Evolving SARS-CoV-2 severity among hospital and university affiliates in Spain and Greater Boston.","authors":"Fares Amer, Fan-Yun Lan, Mario Gil-Conesa, Amalia Sidossis, Daniel Bruque, Eirini Iliaki, Jane Buley, Neetha Nathan, Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, Silvia Carlos, Stefanos N Kales, Alejandro Fernandez-Montero","doi":"10.1016/j.eimce.2023.12.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2023.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus greatly affected healthcare workers and healthcare systems. It also challenged schools and universities worldwide negatively affecting in-person education. We conducted this study is to assess the evolution of SARs-CoV-2 virulence over the course of the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A combined cohort of University students in Spain and HCWs from the two hospitals in Spain, and one healthcare system in the Greater Boston area was followed prospectively from March 8th, 2020, to January 31st, 2022 for diagnosis with COVID-19 by PCR testing and related sequelae. Follow-up time was divided into four periods according to distinct waves of infection during the pandemic. Severity of COVID-19 was measured by case-hospitalization rate. Descriptive statistics and multivariable-adjusted statistics using the Poisson mixed-effects regression model were applied. As a sensitivity analysis, information on SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and COVID-19 deaths through May 30, 2023 from the Boston area was collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For the last two periods of the study (January 1st to December 15th, 2021 and December 16th, 2021 to January 31st, 2022) and relative to the first period (March 8th to May 31st, 2020), the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of hospitalization were 0.08 (95% CI, 0.03-0.17) and 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01-0.15), respectively. In addition, a relative risk 0.012 CI95% (0.012-0.012) was observed when comparing COVID-19 mortality versus SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/mL in Boston-area wastewater over the period (16th December 2021 to 30th May 2023) and relative to the first period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The severity of COVID-19 and immunity of our populations evolved over time, resulting in a decrease in case severity. We found the case-hospitalization rate decreased more than 90% in our cohort despite an increase in incidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":72916,"journal":{"name":"Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.)","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140875063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}