Background Isolation of COVID-19 patients has been universally implemented to control transmission of the outbreak. Hotels and other facilities have been adapted to help appropriate isolation be achieved. Our study tested the efficacy of isolating patients in a reconditioned hotel versus isolation in their domiciles to reduce infection transmission. Methods Observational cohort study based on a survey to COVID-19 patients between April and June 2020. One cohort had been isolated in a hotel and the other in their domiciles. Multivariate regression models analyzed the factors related to the occurrence of COVID-19 infection among the household members. Results A total of 229 household members of COVID-19 patients were analyzed, 139 of them belonging to the group of hotel-isolated patients and 90 in the group of domicile-isolated ones. More than half of the household members became infected (53.7%). Higher risk of infection was found in the household members of domicile-isolated patients isolated and in those reporting overcrowding at home, (odds ratio [OR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–3.12) and (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.81; 2.56), respectively. Conclusions The isolation of COVID-19 patients in community-supervised facilities may protect their household members from transmission of the disease. Overcrowded homes may contribute to the transmission of the infection.

BackgroundAllergic reactions to insects are a global problem. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of immunotherapy with allergenic extract of Aedes aegypti for the treatment of large local reactions (LLR) to mosquito bites in children.MethodsExperimental, comparative, prospective, longitudinal and randomized none blinded study was conducted. We included 2 to 15 year old children with a history of large local reactions to mosquito bites. Sensitization was confirmed by a positive prick test. One group was treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy with extract of Aedes aegypti during 5 months and a second group received only antihistamine as needed. Diary symptoms and medication use were recorded in each case. The presence of adverse reactions to immunotherapy was also documented.ResultsA total of 35 patients from August 2009 to September 2010. Twenty-eight patients completed the study (16 male were included, with mean 7 ± 2.5 years) 15 in the immunotherapy group and 13 in the control group. The immunotherapy group showed a decrease in the diameter of the wheal and flare as well as the duration of the reaction and the use of drugs, from the third month of treatment, compared with the control group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results suggest that immunotherapy with extract of Aedes aegypti, could modify the natural history of LLR to mosquito bites in children. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal length treatment of the scheme and its long-term effects.

An outbreak of SARS-CoV2 infection in a Barcelona prison was studied. One hundred and forty-eight inmates and 36 prison staff were evaluated by rt-PCR, and 24.1% (40 prisoners, two health workers and four non-health workers) tested positive. In all, 94.8% of cases were asymptomatic. The inmates were isolated in prison module 4, which was converted into an emergency COVID unit. There were no deaths. Generalised screening and the isolation and evaluation of the people infected were key measures. Symptom-based surveillance must be supplemented by rapid contact-based monitoring in order to avoid asymptomatic spread among prisoners and the community at large.

An outbreak of SARS-CoV2 infection in a Barcelona prison was studied after seven cases appeared in nine days. One hundred and eighty-four people (148 inmates and 36 prison staff) were evaluated by rt-PCR. Thirty-nine (24.1%) were positive: 33 inmates and six staff members. The inmates were isolated in prison module 4, which was converted into an emergency COVID unit. Two people (one inmate and one health worker) were admitted to hospital for clinical deterioration. There were no deaths. Outbreaks pose a huge risk, must be detected early, are difficult to manage, and require optimal coordination between health and prison authorities.

BackgroundAmong the more than 150 different forms of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PID) the CVID is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency, present mainly in adults. There is a failure of B cells to develop and differentiate into plasma cells; at consequent a reduction of the production of one or more isotypes of antibody can also affected Cell-mediated immunity. Common manifestations included recurrent bacterial infections, that typically involve the upper and lower respiratory tract. Some patients are highly prone to autoimmune manifestations, lymphoid hyperplasia, and tumors.MethodsWe presented 3 cases of CVID with a variety of clinical presentation, evolution and complications related to delayed diagnosis.ResultsA 34 year old male presented chronic diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition and recurrent upper respiratory infections; digestive tract endoscopy and biopsy was reported with villous atrophy, chronic inflammation and low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma B cell. Unfortunately this patient refused the use of gamma globulin treatment, had a high morbidity, and finally the patient died. The case of a nurse with clinical manifestation of recurrent rinosinusitis and pneumonia, which was diagnosed as IDCV 17 years later, after she developed pulmonary bronchiectasis. Fortunately the disease is under control and she is actually under treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. Finally, the case of a 44 year old female, who suffered from recurrent upper respiratory infections, additionally had a thyroid gland tumor associated which affecting the thyroid function.ConclusionsIn the 3 cases had low levels of all immunoglobulin as a hallmark. The clinician must be suspecting this condition in all adults with recurrent infectious disease who have gastrointestinal symptoms or who are detected a malignant disease. Early diagnosis and correct treatment are critical in preventing tissue damage, long-term sequelae and death. Replacement with intravenous gamma globulin and antibiotics are the mainstays in the management of these patients.