Carga de influenza en la comunidad de Barrio Obrero. Paraguay

La influenza (FLU) causa morbilidad grave y mortalidad. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la incidencia, la etiología y el uso de recursos para la gripe en un barrio de bajos ingresos de Asunción, Paraguay mediante un estudio de cohorte prospectiva de base poblacional con muestreo aleatorio estratificado de viviendas de julio a Octubre de 2013. El monitoreo de los hogares para la identificación de los casos de enfermedad tipo influenza (ETI) fue telefónico. En aquellos pacientes con ETI, se tomaron hisopados nasofaríngeos para RT-PCR e IFI. Se establecieron los factores de riesgo para ETI por la prueba de chi cuadrado considerándose significativa p<0,05; además se calculó RR con IC95%. De 8.279 viviendas, 401 familias (2.065 personas) fueron monitoreadas; se identificaron 141 casos de ETI que representa una incidencia de 6,8% (IC95%: 5,5-7,6%); el 56% de los casos buscaron atención médica, en su mayoría (80%) en servicios públicos. Se testaron 84% de los hisopados nasofaríngeos, siendo positivo en el 22% para virus respiratorios; 86% FLU (63% FLU A, 37% FLU B). Se encontró asociación (p< 0,001) entre enfermar de ETI y tener edad menor de 5 años (RR: 2,43 (1,68-3,49). Este es el primer estudio que da información sobre la carga de Influenza en Paraguay. El monitoreo telefónico resultó ser una buena estrategia para monitoreo de los hogares para la identificación de los casos de ETI. El virus de la Influenza fue el patógeno más común identificado, con una alta demanda de asistencia médica, lo que resulta una carga sustancial para los servicios de salud

Infección por COVID 19: estudio seroepidemiológico de cohorte de base poblacional estratificado por edad en Asunción y Central

La pandemia COVID-19, causada por SARS-CoV-2, se originó en Wuhan, China, en diciembre de 2019, y se extendió rápidamente a nivel mundial. En Paraguay, El primer caso confirmado en Paraguay se dio a conocer el 7 de marzo de 2020 en Asunción y para ell 28 de marzo se tiene registro de 206.597 casos confirmados y 4003 muertes. Sin lugar a dudas el número de infecciones por SARS-CoV-2 es mucho mayor que los casos notificados por las infecciones asintomáticas, los casos leves que no buscan asistencia médica, estrategias de testeo, pruebas virológicas que dan falsos negativos y las sub notificaciones. Los estudios serológicos son útiles para estimar la proporción de la población previamente infectada, cuantificar la magnitud de la transmisión, estimar la tasa de letalidad por infección, evaluar el efecto de intervenciones, y estimar el grado de inmunidad de la población. La vigilancia serológica es valiosa para los responsables de la formulación de políticas de salud.CONACYT - Consejo Nacional de Ciencias y TecnologíaPROCIENCI

Global burden of influenza-associated lower respiratory tract infections and hospitalizations among adults : a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND : Influenza illness burden is substantial, particularly among young children, older adults, and those with underlying conditions. Initiatives are underway to develop better global estimates for influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths. Knowledge gaps remain regarding the role of influenza viruses in severe respiratory disease and hospitalizations among adults, particularly in lower-income settings. METHODS AND FINDINGS : We aggregated published data from a systematic review and unpublished data from surveillance platforms to generate global meta-analytic estimates for the proportion of acute respiratory hospitalizations associated with influenza viruses among adults. We searched 9 online databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Global Health, LILACS, WHOLIS, and CNKI; 1 January 1996-31 December 2016) to identify observational studies of influenza-associated hospitalizations in adults, and assessed eligible papers for bias using a simplified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational data. We applied meta-analytic proportions to global estimates of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and hospitalizations from the Global Burden of Disease study in adults ≥20 years and by age groups (20-64 years and ≥65 years) to obtain the number of influenza-associated LRI episodes and hospitalizations for 2016. Data from 63 sources showed that influenza was associated with 14.1% (95% CI 12.1%-16.5%) of acute respiratory hospitalizations among all adults, with no significant differences by age group. The 63 data sources represent published observational studies (n = 28) and unpublished surveillance data (n = 35), from all World Health Organization regions (Africa, n = 8; Americas, n = 11; Eastern Mediterranean, n = 7; Europe, n = 8; Southeast Asia, n = 11; Western Pacific, n = 18). Data quality for published data sources was predominantly moderate or high (75%, n = 56/75). We estimate 32,126,000 (95% CI 20,484,000-46,129,000) influenza-associated LRI episodes and 5,678,000 (95% CI 3,205,000-9,432,000) LRI hospitalizations occur each year among adults. While adults <65 years contribute most influenza-associated LRI hospitalizations and episodes (3,464,000 [95% CI 1,885,000-5,978,000] LRI hospitalizations and 31,087,000 [95% CI 19,987,000-44,444,000] LRI episodes), hospitalization rates were highest in those ≥65 years (437/100,000 person-years [95% CI 265-612/100,000 person-years]). For this analysis, published articles were limited in their inclusion of stratified testing data by year and age group. Lack of information regarding influenza vaccination of the study population was also a limitation across both types of data sources. CONCLUSIONS : In this meta-analysis, we estimated that influenza viruses are associated with over 5 million hospitalizations worldwide per year. Inclusion of both published and unpublished findings allowed for increased power to generate stratified estimates, and improved representation from lower-income countries. Together, the available data demonstrate the importance of influenza viruses as a cause of severe disease and hospitalizations in younger and older adults worldwide.S1 Data. CSV-formatted analysis dataset.S1 Fig. Forest plot of individual study estimates included in meta-analysis (all adults).S1 PRISMA Checklist. PRISMA checklist.S1 Table. Literature search methodology and results, by database.S2 Table. Summary of published articles included in the analyses, with reference list.S3 Table. Median number of specimens tested and percent positive for influenza, by age group, study design, and population, among all data sources.S4 Table. Regional estimates of influenza-associated lower respiratory infection (LRI) episodes and hospitalizations, by age group.S5 Table. Sensitivity analyses.Grants from the Foundation for Influenza Epidemiology, grants from Innovative Medicines Initiative, grants from the WHO, personal fees from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, grants and personal fees from Sanofi, grants from National Institute of Health Research, personal fees from Janssen and personal fees from AbbVie.https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/am2023Medical Virolog

Global burden of influenza-associated lower respiratory tract infections and hospitalizations among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Influenza illness burden is substantial, particularly among young children, older adults, and those with underlying conditions. Initiatives are underway to develop better global estimates for influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths. Knowledge gaps remain regarding the role of influenza viruses in severe respiratory disease and hospitalizations among adults, particularly in lower-income settings. Methods and findings: We aggregated published data from a systematic review and unpublished data from surveillance platforms to generate global meta-analytic estimates for the proportion of acute respiratory hospitalizations associated with influenza viruses among adults. We searched 9 online databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Global Health, LILACS, WHOLIS, and CNKI; 1 January 1996–31 December 2016) to identify observational studies of influenza-associated hospitalizations in adults, and assessed eligible papers for bias using a simplified Newcastle–Ottawa scale for observational data. We applied meta-analytic proportions to global estimates of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and hospitalizations from the Global Burden of Disease study in adults ≥20 years and by age groups (20–64 years and ≥65 years) to obtain the number of influenza-associated LRI episodes and hospitalizations for 2016. Data from 63 sources showed that influenza was associated with 14.1% (95% CI 12.1%–16.5%) of acute respiratory hospitalizations among all adults, with no significant differences by age group. The 63 data sources represent published observational studies (n = 28) and unpublished surveillance data (n = 35), from all World Health Organization regions (Africa, n = 8; Americas, n = 11; Eastern Mediterranean, n = 7; Europe, n = 8; Southeast Asia, n = 11; Western Pacific, n = 18). Data quality for published data sources was predominantly moderate or high (75%, n = 56/75). We estimate 32,126,000 (95% CI 20,484,000–46,129,000) influenza-associated LRI episodes and 5,678,000 (95% CI 3,205,000–9,432,000) LRI hospitalizations occur each year among adults. While adults &lt;65 years contribute most influenza-associated LRI hospitalizations and episodes (3,464,000 [95% CI 1,885,000–5,978,000] LRI hospitalizations and 31,087,000 [95% CI 19,987,000–44,444,000] LRI episodes), hospitalization rates were highest in those ≥65 years (437/100,000 person-years [95% CI 265–612/100,000 person-years]). For this analysis, published articles were limited in their inclusion of stratified testing data by year and age group. Lack of information regarding influenza vaccination of the study population was also a limitation across both types of data sources. Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, we estimated that influenza viruses are associated with over 5 million hospitalizations worldwide per year. Inclusion of both published and unpublished findings allowed for increased power to generate stratified estimates, and improved representation from lower-income countries. Together, the available data demonstrate the importance of influenza viruses as a cause of severe disease and hospitalizations in younger and older adults worldwide

Global Role and Burden of Influenza in Pediatric Respiratory Hospitalizations, 1982-2012:A Systematic Analysis

BACKGROUND:The global burden of pediatric severe respiratory illness is substantial, and influenza viruses contribute to this burden. Systematic surveillance and testing for influenza among hospitalized children has expanded globally over the past decade. However, only a fraction of the data has been used to estimate influenza burden. In this analysis, we use surveillance data to provide an estimate of influenza-associated hospitalizations among children worldwide. METHODS AND FINDINGS:We aggregated data from a systematic review (n = 108) and surveillance platforms (n = 37) to calculate a pooled estimate of the proportion of samples collected from children hospitalized with respiratory illnesses and positive for influenza by age group (<6 mo, <1 y, <2 y, <5 y, 5-17 y, and <18 y). We applied this proportion to global estimates of acute lower respiratory infection hospitalizations among children aged <1 y and <5 y, to obtain the number and per capita rate of influenza-associated hospitalizations by geographic region and socio-economic status. Influenza was associated with 10% (95% CI 8%-11%) of respiratory hospitalizations in children <18 y worldwide, ranging from 5% (95% CI 3%-7%) among children <6 mo to 16% (95% CI 14%-20%) among children 5-17 y. On average, we estimated that influenza results in approximately 374,000 (95% CI 264,000 to 539,000) hospitalizations in children <1 y-of which 228,000 (95% CI 150,000 to 344,000) occur in children <6 mo-and 870,000 (95% CI 610,000 to 1,237,000) hospitalizations in children <5 y annually. Influenza-associated hospitalization rates were more than three times higher in developing countries than in industrialized countries (150/100,000 children/year versus 48/100,000). However, differences in hospitalization practices between settings are an important limitation in interpreting these findings. CONCLUSIONS:Influenza is an important contributor to respiratory hospitalizations among young children worldwide. Increasing influenza vaccination coverage among young children and pregnant women could reduce this burden and protect infants <6 mo

Pandemia por Influenza A H1N1 2009. Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los casos pediátricos en Paraguay

Introduction: In April 2009 the first cases were reported of a new influenza subtype, H1N1 Influenza A, which showed different clinical behavior in different age groups. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric cases (ages 0 to 18 years) reported to the general directorate for health surveillance (DGVS) during the pandemic of 2009. Methodology: The study was observational and descriptive with analytical components, and included all suspected cases of infection by H1N1 influenza A in patients under age 19 reported to the DGVS between April 28, 2009 and January 30, 2010. Reporting centers included both public and private facilities. To collect data we used a clinicalepidemiological form that included: age, sex, place of origin, signs and symptoms, comorbidities, vaccination history, laboratory results for influenza A H1N1, and clinical outcome. Results: The DGVS received 3233 reports of suspected cases of influenza A H1N1, of which 50.6% were in male patients. Incidence was highest in the age 15 to 18 group (43.9%), followed by the age 1 to 4 group (31.7%). Most cases came from the Central Department (38.4%), followed by Asuncion (23%) and Alto Parana (10.2%). Fully 90% of cases were reported between June and August. Signs and symptoms most frequently found were cough (90%), fever (77%) and sore throat (61%). At least one risk factor for complications was present in 4.7% of cases, with the most common being asthma (n=91), pregnancy (n=26), and cardiovascular disease (n=19). Of those that presented any comorbidity risk factor, 6.6% died. The mortality rate was 1.6% and was significantly higher in children under age 1 year (5.6%, p<0.001). In 476 cases (14.7%) infection by H1N1 influenza A was confirmed. Conclusion: The clinical features observed were similar to those reported internationally. The need for hospitalization and mortality were significantly higher in children under age 1 year.Introducción: En abril del 2009 fueron comunicados los primeros casos de Influenza por un nuevo subtipo, Influenza A H1N1, que mostraron un comportamiento clínico distinto en los diferentes grupos etarios. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los casos pediátricos (0 a 18 años) reportados a la Dirección General de Vigilancia de la Salud (DGVS) durante la pandemia del 2009. Metodología: El estudio es observacional, descriptivo con componentes analíticos, incluyéndose todos los casos sospechosos de infección por Influenza A (H1N1) menores de 19 años que fueron notificados a la DGVS a partir del 28 de abril de 2009 hasta el 30 de enero del 2010.Los centros notificadores fueron públicos y privados. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizó una ficha clínicoepidemiológica que incluía: edad, sexo, procedencia, signos y síntomas, co-morbilidades, antecedentes de vacunación, resultado laboratorial para influenza A (H1N1) y evolución clínica. Resultados: Fueron notificados a la DGVS, 3233 casos sospechosos de Influenza A (H1N1), de los cuales el 50,6% era del sexo masculino. El grupo etareo predominante fue de 15 a 18 años (43,9%), seguido del grupo de 1 a 4 años (31,7%). La mayoría de los casos provenía del Departamento Central 38,4%, seguido de Asunción 23%, y Alto Paraná 10,2%. El 90% de los casos se reportó entre junio y agosto. Entre los signos y síntomas más frecuentemente hallados se encuentran la tos (90%), fiebre (77%) y dolor de garganta (61%). El 4,7% de los casos tenía por lo menos un factor de riesgo de complicaciones, citándose entre las más frecuentes el asma (n=91), embarazo (n=26), enfermedad cardiovascular (n=19). El 6,6% de los que presentaron algún factor de riesgo de co-morbilidad, falleció. La tasa de mortalidad fue de 1,6% y fue significativamente mayor en los menores de 1 año (5,6%, p<0,001). En 476 casos (14,7%), se confirmó la infección por Influenza A (H1N1). Conclusión: Las características clínicas observadas fueron similares a las reportadas a nivel internacional. La necesidad de hospitalización y la mortalidad fueron significativamente mayores en los menores de 1 añ

Serum biomarkers and anti-flavivirus antibodies at presentation as indicators of severe dengue.

BackgroundDengue is the most common vector-borne viral disease worldwide. Most cases are mild, but some evolve into severe dengue (SD), with high lethality. Therefore, it is important to identify biomarkers of severe disease to improve outcomes and judiciously utilize resources.Methods/principal findingsOne hundred forty-five confirmed dengue cases (median age, 42; range ConclusionsMultiple, readily available factors were associated with SD in this population. These findings will aid in the early detection of potentially severe dengue cases and inform the development of new prognostics for use in acute-phase and serial samples from dengue cases

Characterization of Dengue Virus 4 Cases in Paraguay, 2019–2020

In 2019–2020, dengue virus (DENV) type 4 emerged to cause the largest DENV outbreak in Paraguay’s history. This study sought to characterize dengue relative to other acute illness cases and use phylogenetic analysis to understand the outbreak’s origin. Individuals with an acute illness (≤7 days) were enrolled and tested for DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) and viral RNA by real-time RT-PCR. Near-complete genome sequences were obtained from 62 DENV-4 positive samples. From January 2019 to March 2020, 799 participants were enrolled: 253 dengue (14 severe dengue, 5.5%) and 546 other acute illness cases. DENV-4 was detected in 238 dengue cases (94.1%). NS1 detection by rapid test was 52.5% sensitive (53/101) and 96.5% specific (387/401) for dengue compared to rRT-PCR. DENV-4 sequences were grouped into two clades within genotype II. No clustering was observed based on dengue severity, location, or date. Sequences obtained here were most closely related to 2018 DENV-4 sequences from Paraguay, followed by a 2013 sequence from southern Brazil. DENV-4 can result in large outbreaks, including severe cases, and is poorly detected with available rapid diagnostics. Outbreak strains seem to have been circulating in Paraguay and Brazil prior to 2018, highlighting the importance of sustained DENV genomic surveillance

End-of-season influenza vaccine effectiveness during the Southern Hemisphere 2022 influenza season – Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay

Objectives: This study estimated the 2022 end-of-season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) hospitalization in Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Methods: We pooled surveillance data from SARI cases in 18 sentinel surveillance hospitals in Chile (n = 9), Paraguay (n = 2), and Uruguay (n = 7) from March 16-November 30, 2022. VE was estimated using a test-negative design and logistic regression models adjusted for country, age, sex, presence of ≥1 comorbidity, and week of illness onset. VE estimates were stratified by influenza virus type and subtype (when available) and influenza vaccine target population, categorized as children, individuals with comorbidities, and older adults, defined per countries’ national immunization policies. Results: Among the 3147 SARI cases, there were 382 (12.1%) influenza test-positive case patients; 328 (85.9%) influenza case patients were in Chile, 33 (8.6%) were in Paraguay, and 21 (5.5%) were in Uruguay. In all countries, the predominant subtype was influenza A(H3N2) (92.6% of influenza cases). Adjusted VE against any influenza-associated SARI hospitalization was 33.8% (95% confidence interval: 15.3%, 48.2%); VE against influenza A(H3N2)-associated SARI hospitalization was 30.4% (95% confidence interval: 10.1%, 46.0%). VE estimates were similar across target populations. Conclusion: During the 2022 influenza season, influenza vaccination reduced the odds of hospitalization among those vaccinated by one-third. Health officials should encourage influenza vaccination in accordance with national recommendations

Burden of influenza-associated respiratory hospitalizations in the Americas, 2010-2015.

BACKGROUND:Despite having influenza vaccination policies and programs, countries in the Americas underutilize seasonal influenza vaccine, in part because of insufficient evidence about severe influenza burden. We aimed to estimate the annual burden of influenza-associated respiratory hospitalizations in the Americas. METHODS:Thirty-five countries in the Americas with national influenza surveillance were invited to provide monthly laboratory data and hospital discharges for respiratory illness (International Classification of Diseases 10th edition J codes 0-99) during 2010-2015. In three age-strata (<5, 5-64, and ≥65 years), we estimated the influenza-associated hospitalizations rate by multiplying the monthly number of respiratory hospitalizations by the monthly proportion of influenza-positive samples and dividing by the census population. We used random effects meta-analyses to pool age-group specific rates and extrapolated to countries that did not contribute data, using pooled rates stratified by age group and country characteristics found to be associated with rates. RESULTS:Sixteen of 35 countries (46%) contributed primary data to the analyses, representing 79% of the America's population. The average pooled rate of influenza-associated respiratory hospitalization was 90/100,000 population (95% confidence interval 61-132) among children aged <5 years, 21/100,000 population (13-32) among persons aged 5-64 years, and 141/100,000 population (95-211) among persons aged ≥65 years. We estimated the average annual number of influenza-associated respiratory hospitalizations in the Americas to be 772,000 (95% credible interval 716,000-829,000). CONCLUSIONS:Influenza-associated respiratory hospitalizations impose a heavy burden on health systems in the Americas. Countries in the Americas should use this information to justify investments in seasonal influenza vaccination-especially among young children and the elderly