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Background Rickettsioses are emerging zoonotic diseases with worldwide prevalence, recognized as a cause of imported fever in travellers and migrants. Our objective is to describe the microbiological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of imported rickettsioses in travellers and migrants included in a Spanish collaborative network database. Methods This multicentre retrospective observational study was nested in +Redivi, the Cooperative Network for the Study of Infections Imported by Immigrants and Travellers. We asked collaborating centres for microbiological, clinical and epidemiological data on the rickettsiosis cases from the inception of the network in 2009 to December 2020. Results Fifty-four cases of imported rickettsioses were included; 35 (64.8%) patients were men, and the median age was 37 years (interquartile range 26, 51.2). Only 7.4% of patients were travellers visiting friends and relatives, and 5.6% were migrants. The most frequent travel destination (38.9%) was South Africa, and 90.7% engaged in a high-risk activity. Twenty-seven patients (50.0%) started presenting symptoms after their return to Spain. The most frequent symptoms were febrile syndrome (55.6%) and cutaneous manifestations (27.8%). Most diagnoses (63.0%) were confirmed by serology. Only a few cases (9.3%) required hospitalization. All participants had a full recovery. Conclusions Clinicians should suspect rickettsial diseases in travellers coming from high-risk areas, especially Southern Africa, who have engaged in activities in rural areas and natural parks. Doxycycline should be considered in the empiric treatment of imported fever of travellers coming from those areas or who have engaged in high-risk activities. There is a need to improve access to molecular diagnosis of rickettsiosis in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While the microbiota has been associated with human papillomavirus malignant transformation, it is unclear whether anal bacteria could improve the low specificity of anal cytology for the screening of high-grade intraepithelial squamous neoplasia (HSIL).Methods: We recruited men who have sex with men undergoing anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy. We assessed the microbiota composition from fecal samples and cytobrush anal samples using 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing in participants with or without biopsy-proven HSIL (bHSIL). We selected bacterial biomarkers based on their linear discriminant analysis. We assessed their predictive performance using logistic regression and bootstrap resampling.Results: We included 128 individuals, 47 (36.7%) with bHSIL and 99 (77.3%) with human immunodeficiency virus. We detected 40 potential predictors of bHSIL. Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, Alloprevotella genus, Prevotella melanonigenica, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 were the most predictive of bHSIL. From 35 false-positive cytologic results, the combination of these 4 biomarkers with the anal cytology reclassified to true-negative 33 individuals (94%) and showed good diagnostic performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.805; 95% confidence interval, .728-.882).Conclusions: We found anal-associated bacteria indicative of a higher risk of precancerous anal lesions, which combination was highly specific. The microbiota could be developed as a complementary diagnostic tool to overcome the limitations of the current screening strategy for anal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Updated seroprevalence studies of infections in migrants may aid the design of tailored vaccination and prevention programmes. The objective of this study was to describe the seroprevalence rates for potentially transmissible viral infections in migrants attended at a referral centre in a major European city.Methods: Descriptive analysis of seroprevalence of vaccine-preventable and non-vaccine-preventable infections in migrants attended at a centre in Madrid, Spain (2018-19). Recorded variables included age, gender, country of birth/continent of origin, time from arrival to Spain until first clinic visit, rubella, measles, mumps, varicella (VZV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV serology.Results: In total, 468 patients were included, 135 females (28.8%) and 333 males (71.2%), mean age 30.4 years. The majority of patients were from Africa (52.5%, of which 88.2% from sub-Saharan Africa), followed by Latin America (38.5%) and other areas (9%). Seroprevalence for tested migrants for rubella, measles and mumps was < 95% in the group overall (91% rubella, 88% measles, 83% mumps) and lower rates were observed in migrants >20 years (compared with those ≤ 20 years). Over 10% of females were potentially susceptible (negative/indeterminate serology) to rubella (11.4%), measles (12.7%) or mumps (10.3%). Lowest rates of rubella seropositivity were in Latin American migrants (over 12% potentially susceptible); measles and mumps seropositivity was lowest in migrants from areas other than Africa/Latin America (74% and 68%, respectively). Seroprevalence rates were 91% for VZV, 90% overall for HAV, ~6% for HBV chronic infection (~50% of migrants tested susceptible), 2% for HCV and 6% for HIV.Conclusions: Differences in seroprevalence for vaccine-preventable and transmissible infections according to gender, age range and area of origin were observed. Tailored screening, vaccination and prevention strategies in potentially vulnerable migrant groups should be designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Strongyloides; COVID-19; steroids; immunosuppression EN Strongyloides COVID-19 steroids immunosuppression 1 3 3 01/24/22 20220101 NES 220101 Certain helminth infections such as strongyloidiasis may be underdiagnosed in non-endemic areas due to the presence of asymptomatic individuals, the lack of awareness of the disease and the poor sensitivity of diagnostic methods. COVID-19 and dexamethasone: a potential strategy to avoid steroid-related strongyloides hyperinfection. Life-threatening complications of these infections may occur especially in patients with altered immune responses.1 Case report A 69-year-old Colombian man presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Concerns have been voiced over the capacity of deintensification strategies to preserve neurocognitive function and prevent neurocognitive impairment.Methods: We present the 96 week results of a neurocognitive substudy nested within the SALT clinical trial: a randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial that compares whether atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine is non-inferior to atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs in HIV-suppressed patients on stable triple therapy. A global deficit score (GDS) for five neurocognitive tasks was used to assess neurocognitive function. Changes in neurocognitive function (GDS value) were determined at weeks 48 and 96. The effect of atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine, adjusted for significant confounders, on the change in neurocognitive function was determined using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at week 96.Results: The per-protocol analysis included 92 participants (47 atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine and 45 atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs). All baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. At weeks 48 and 96, changes in GDS [week 48, atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine -0.3 (95% CI -0.5 to -0.1) versus atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs -0.2 (95% CI -0.4 to 0.0), P = 0.39; week 96, atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine -0.3 (95% CI -0.5 to -0.1) versus atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs -0.2 (95% CI -0.4 to -0.1); P = 0.471] were similar. This absence of differences was also observed in all cognitive tasks. Atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine did not impact the change in neurocognitive function at week 96; the adjusted effect of atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine on GDS change, considering atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs as a reference, was 0.01 (95% CI -0.18 to 0.21) (P = 0.90).Conclusions: Neurocognitive function remained stable after 96 weeks, both in the atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine and in the atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs arms, provided HIV remained suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miltefosine, liposomal amphotericin B, cutaneous leishmaniasis, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, diabetes mellitus Keywords: Miltefosine; liposomal amphotericin B; cutaneous leishmaniasis; post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis; diabetes mellitus EN Miltefosine liposomal amphotericin B cutaneous leishmaniasis post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis diabetes mellitus 1 2 2 11/09/22 20221001 NES 221001 A 65-year-old Nigerian man presented in May 2018 with a cutaneous lesion on the left ear that developed in January 2018. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Understanding and detecting imported diseases is a priority in the prevention and management of prevalent and emergent infectious diseases acquired abroad. The +Redivi network measures the burden of imported infections in Spain and is essential for closing the gap in travel medicine.Methods: Demographic characteristics, travel information, syndromes and confirmed travel-related diagnoses were registered in a standardised online database.Results: A total of 10 767 cases of imported infectious diseases were registered between October 2009 and December 2015. Of these, 60.8% of cases were immigrants seen for the first time after arrival, 20.6% were travellers, and 18.4% were individuals visiting friends and relatives (VFR [immigrants and travellers]). The median time between arrival and medical consultation was 5.5 years for immigrants, 2.0 weeks for travellers, 3.1 weeks for VFR-travellers and 11.4 for VFR-immigrants. The most prevalent diagnoses were Chagas disease in immigrants and nonspecific acute diarrhoea in travellers. Malaria by P. falciparum was one of the most prevalent diagnoses among VFR. More than half the travellers saw a physician before travelling, although one-third of those for whom antimalarial medication was indicated did not take their medication correctly. As for VFR, only 10.4% of VFR-immigrants and 32.5% of VFR-travellers sought pre-travel advice. Only 23 and 21%, respectively, of those for whom antimalarial prophylaxis was indicated took the medication properly.Conclusions: +Redivi provides a clear picture of the prevalence of imported infectious diseases among travellers and immigrants in Spain. The data collected could be used to improve everyday health care provided to travellers and immigrants after travel, to guide pre-travel consultations and to monitor the potential occurrence of tropical or exotic infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with low CD4 lymphocyte counts is associated with AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related events and increased mortality. However, no clear association has been found with an increased rate of treatment failure. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis including randomized clinical trials of currently recommended HAART in naive patients to evaluate treatment response in very late starters (VLSs). Studies with information on response in at least one of the two strata (≤50 versus >50 CD4 cells/mm3 and/or ≤200 versus >200 CD4 cells/mm3) and follow-up of at least 48 weeks were analysed. A pooled odds ratio of the effect of starting HAART with ≤50 versus >50 or ≤200 versus >200 CD4 cells/mm3 for each arm by fitting a random-effect logistic regression model was computed. Sources of heterogeneity [sex, age, year of study initiation, nucleos(t)ide pair and third drug] were investigated. Results We included 25 treatment arms from 13 randomized clinical trials. Being a VLS consistently impairs treatment outcomes at 48 and 96 weeks. Only hepatitis C virus (HCV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection was associated with a reduced impact of late initiation of HAART; at 48 weeks for 50 and 200 cells/mm3 thresholds (P = 0.013 and P = 0.032, respectively). None of the remaining sources of heterogeneity explored was significantly associated with the impact of being a VLS. Conclusions We found that initiation of antiretroviral therapy with very low CD4 lymphocyte counts is consistently associated with poorer outcomes of HAART. This effect could be modulated by HBV/HCV coinfection, but not by the individual components of the HAART regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction. Spain could be a potential area in Europe for the development and spread of emerging diseases from the tropics due to its geoclimatic characteristics, but there is little information on infectious diseases imported by travelers. The aim of this article was to analyze clinical–epidemiological characteristics of infectious diseases imported by Spanish travelers from the tropics. Methods. A retrospective descriptive study of 2,982 travelers seeking medical advice who return ill from the tropics was conducted. Demographic data, details of travel (destination, type, and duration), preventive measures, clinical syndromes, and diagnoses were analyzed. Results. Nearly half (46.5%) the travelers had traveled to sub-Saharan Africa; 46.5% reported a stay exceeding 1 month (and almost a quarter more than 6 months). Following pre-travel advice, 69.1% received at least one vaccine and 35.5% took malarial chemoprophylaxis with variations according to geographical area of travel. In all, 58.8% of this took chemoprophylaxis correctly. Most common syndromes were fever 1,028 (34.5%), diarrhea 872 (29.3%), and cutaneous syndrome 684 (22.9%). Most frequent diagnoses were traveler's diarrhea (17.2%), malaria (17%), and intestinal parasites (10.4%). The three main syndromes in travelers to the Caribbean–Central America, Indian subcontinent–Southeast Asia, and other areas were diarrhea, fever, and cutaneous syndrome ( p < 0.05); in sub-Saharan Africa were fever, cutaneous syndrome, and diarrhea ( p < 0.05); and in South America were cutaneous syndrome, diarrhea, and fever ( p < 0.05). Travelers to sub-Saharan Africa showed a higher frequency of malaria, rickettsiosis, filariasis, and schistosomiasis ( p < 0.05); those to South America showed cutaneous larva migrants, other ectoparasitosis, and cutaneous/mucocutaneous leishmaniasis; and those to the Indian subcontinent–Southeast Asia showed intestinal parasitosis, arboviriasis, and enteric fever ( p < 0.05). Conclusions. Increased international travel is a key factor for the development and spread of emerging pathogens. Information on these diseases is essential to establish early warning mechanisms and action plans. Spain represents a unique setting for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The recent significant increase in the number of immigrants entering the European Union from South and Central America means that chronic Chagas' disease is an increasingly frequent diagnosis among immigrants in Europe. Our objectives were to evaluate published evidence on the treatment of chronic Chagas' disease with benznidazole and on the potential benefits of this drug in the chronic phase of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Leishmaniasis is endemic in many countries. The existence of different species combined with host factors may condition clinical presentation, treatment options, and disease outcome. In an endemic country, a predominance of certain species and presentations may be expected, whereas from the perspective of a tropical medicine referral unit a wider variety of cases from diverse geographical areas may be observed. Methods. Retrospective study of imported leishmaniasis cases diagnosed at a Tropical Medicine referral unit in Spain, during the period of January 1995 to June 2008. Results. In total, 18 cases were diagnosed: 12 cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), 4 mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (ML), and 2 visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases. Two patients were immunosuppressed. The majority of CL cases (9/12) occurring in travelers were acquired in New World countries and were treated with pentavalent antimonials. Three ML cases were acquired in the New World, two received initial treatment with pentavalent antimonials and two with liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB). For all four ML cases, a change in drug choice and multiple treatment courses were necessary, and one remained refractory to treatment. Both VL cases were acquired in Africa and responded well to LAmB treatment. Conclusion. The management of leishmaniasis in non-endemic countries is still a challenge for physicians. With the variety of cases presented, both in immigrants and travelers from different geographical areas, this series illustrates the great diversity of imported leishmaniasis in terms of presentation, treatment options, and outcome. We consider this entity is becoming increasingly more frequent and clinicians should be aware of strategies for its correct management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Migration is a growing phenomenon with a well-known impact in infectious diseases epidemiology. Currently, immigrants represent almost 10% of the Spanish population. The majority come from countries where the prevalence of chronic viral illnesses is higher than in Spain. Methods. To describe clinicoepidemiological features of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected immigrants attending our Unit and to compare differential characteristics depending on geographical origin, information from all new immigrants from January 1997 to December 2006 was collected. Study design: noninterventional retrospective chart review. Results. We screened 1,609 patients of whom 77 (4.8%) were HIV antibody (Ab) positive. Of these, 80% were sub-Saharan Africans (SSAFR) and 20% were South–Central Americans (SCA). HIV prevalence was higher in SSAFR (5.6% vs 3.2%; p= 0.04). Overall, of those who were HIV Ab positive, 70% were male (median age 30 years), 59% heterosexuals, 9% hepatitis C virus coinfected, 8.6% hepatitis B virus coinfected, and 34% showed a positive tuberculin skin test. Median CD4 cell count was 263 cells/μL, median HIV-ribonucleic acid viral load 4.6 Log/mL, and 48% had a late diagnosis [acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)–defining illness or <200 CD4 μL at the time of diagnosis]. Only 68% of patients for whom antiretroviral therapy was indicated actually started therapy and 22% were lost to follow-up just after diagnosis. SCA had lower CD4 cell counts (26 vs 168 cells/μL; p= 0.016), higher viral loads (5.3 vs 4.8 Log; p= 0.001), and were more likely to have an AIDS-defining illness (53% vs 21%; p= 0.04) compared to SSAFR. Tuberculin skin test reactivity was more common among SSAFR versus SCA [adjusted by CD4 count, odds ratio (OR) 6.3 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65–60.5]. The main risk factor for late diagnosis was geographical origin: OR 4.6 (95% CI: 1.11–19.3) (SCA vs SSAFR; adjusted by the interval between the date of arrival in Spain and the date of HIV diagnosis). Conclusions. Almost half the HIV-infected immigrants were diagnosed in late stages. Patients were frequently lost to follow-up, and a significant minority did not start highly active antiretroviral therapy when indicated. SCA seem to have more severe immunosuppression at the time of diagnosis than SSAFR. Early voluntary routine HIV screening should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The combination of didanosine, lamivudine, and efavirenz (ddI/3TC/EFV) for the initial treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has been insufficiently analyzed in clinical trials. Methods. We conducted an open-label, randomized study to compare the noninferiority of ddI/3TC/EFV with the lamivudine-zidovudine tablet and EFV (COM/EFV), both administered with food to improve tolerability and convenience. Patients were stratified by HIV-1 RNA level of <5.0 log[sub10] or ⩾5.0 log[sub10]copies/mL. The primary end point was the percentage of tients with an HIV-1 RNA level of <50 copies/mL at week 48, determined by intention-to-treat analysis. Results. Three hundred sixty-nine patients were randomized: 186 for ddI/3TC/EFV treatment and 183 for COM/EFV treatment. Both groups were well matched in terms of baseline characteristics; 19.3% of patients received a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessment of clinical category C, median HIV RNA level was 5.0 log[sup10] copies/mL, and median CD4[sup+] cell count was 208 cells/μL. At week 48, by intention-to-treat analysis, 70% of patients in the ddI/3TC/EFV group and 63% of patients in the COM/EFV group had an HIV-1 RNA level of <50 copies/mL (treatment difference, 7.1%; 95% confidence interval, -2.39% to 16.59%). Fourteen patients (8%) in the COM/EFV arm and 26 patients (14%) in the ddI/3TC/EFV arm discontinued the study medication because of adverse events (Pp.046). One patient (1%) in the ddI/3TC/EFV arm and 11 patients (6%) in the COM/EFV arm discontinued medication because of hematological toxicity (Pp.003). Conclusions. At week 48, ddI/3TC/EFV administered once per day with food did not have results inferior to those of COM/EFV treatment. A statistically significantly higher proportion of patients in the COM/EFV arm than in the ddI/3TC/EFV arm discontinued therapy because of adverse events, mainly because of hematological toxicity. Clinical trials registration. NCT00256828. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor in response to the article "Intralesional antimony for single lesions of bolivian cutaneous leishmaniasis" by J. Soto, E. Rojas and M. Guzman in the 2013 issue is presented.

Isospora belli diarrhea is usually associated with immunosuppression. This parasite has rarely been reported as a cause of travelers' diarrhea in immunocompetent patients. We present a clinical case of travelers' diarrhea due to I belli in a patient with transient lymphopenia secondary to dengue infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]