Influenza epidemics in Europe, nursing homes and vaccination of healthcare workers
During the 2022-2023 season, influenza circulation levels in the European Union (EU) have increased substantially compared to the 2021-2022 season but were still generally somewhat lower compared to pre-pandemic influenza seasons. Studies have shown that influenza epidemics in the EU countries were associated with a heavy toll of mortality for different principal causes of death including respiratory, cardiac and other causes. Mortality data also suggest that residents of long-term care facilities represent a sizeable share of all cases of death in the EU, and an even higher share among deaths stemming from infections with respiratory viruses, including influenza. Influenza vaccination coverage for healthcare workers in nursing homes in many EU countries is moderate to low, whereas evidence in the literature suggests that higher influenza vaccination coverage levels for healthcare workers result in a significant reduction in all-cause mortality during influenza seasons, both in nursing home residents as well as in hospital patients, though the magnitude of that effect varies with influenza season. Here, we review the above evidence, and as well as the effect of different strategies for boosting influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers, such as mandatory vaccination, educational initiatives/outreach activities and availability of on-sight vaccination.
View / Download PdfAnti-SARS-CoV2 serological profile and associated factors in adults living with HIV followed at Departmental and Teaching Hospital of Borgou in 2022.
Introduction: Literature data suggest that people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are at increased risk of severe forms of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and related mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological profile in adults living with HIV followed at the Departmental and Teaching Hospital of Borgou (DTH-B) in 2022 and to identify factors associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in the latter.
Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Internal Medicine Department at DTH-B, from June 27, 2022 to July 27, 2022. PLHIV were systematically recruited after informed consent. A survey form was used to collect epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic data. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG and IgM) were tested using the BIOSYNEX COVID-19 BSS rapid test (Biosynex SA, France). Data were analyzed using STATA/MP14.1 software. The significance level was 5%.
Results: A total of 135 adults living with HIV were included in the study. The sex ratio was 0.34 and the mean age 45 ± 11.03 years. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 50.37%. Only one respondent reported a confirmed COVID-19, while vaccination coverage was 37.78%. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in unvaccinated patients was 40.48%. Factors significantly associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in multivariate analysis were vaccination status (p=0.02) and viral load (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detectable in more than half the PLHIV. Their presence was associated with the notion of vaccination and an undetectable viral load. This study therefore suggests the need to promote COVID-19 vaccination among PLHIV followed up at DTH-B, as well as the continuation of adequate management of HIV infection in order to reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in this so-called vulnerable population.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2023/2.1173 View / Download Pdf