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A Vilella

Publications and source records attributed to A Vilella.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Ensembl 2007.

The Ensembl (http://www.ensembl.org/) project provides a comprehensive and integrated source of annotation of chordate genome sequences. Over the past year the number of genomes available from Ensembl has increased from 15 to 33, with the addition of sites for the mammalian genomes of elephant, rabbit, armadillo, tenrec, platypus, pig, cat, bush baby, common shrew, microbat and european hedgehog; the fish genomes of stickleback and medaka and the second example of the genomes of the sea squirt (Ciona savignyi) and the mosquito (Aedes aegypti). Some of the major features added during the year include the first complete gene sets for genomes with low-sequence coverage, the introduction of new strain variation data and the introduction of new orthology/paralog annotations based on gene trees.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Vaccination coverage in adults undergoing splenectomy: evaluation of hospital vaccination policies.

Vaccination coverage in 595 adult patients undergoing total splenectomy in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona during 1992-2002 was studied. The rates of cover for pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal vaccines were 63, 63 and 61% respectively, during 2000-2002; 32, 17 and 22% in 1997-1999; and 24, 9 and 8% in 1992-1996. Multivariate analysis showed a greater risk of no vaccination in splenectomies due to trauma, malignant neoplasms of solid organs and incidental splenectomy compared with both neoplastic and non-neoplastic haematological disease, and those patients undergoing splenectomy before 2001. Coverage (>/=1 vaccine) since 1997 in patients with haematological diseases was 83.5% (71/85), haematological neoplasias 69.2% (18/26), solid organ neoplasms 38.3% (36/94), incidental splenectomy 35.6% (16/45), and traumas 28.4% (21/74). Mandatory hospital admission of patients undergoing splenectomy offers a good opportunity for vaccination of these patients. Specific vaccination policies should be developed to take advantage of this circumstance.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Immunogenicity and safety of an adjuvanted hepatitis B vaccine in pre-hemodialysis and hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Due to their impaired immune system, patients with renal insufficiency have a suboptimal response to hepatitis B (HB) vaccination and frequent boosters are needed to maintain protection. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has developed a HB vaccine containing a new adjuvant system AS04 for use in this immunocompromised patient population. METHODS: In an open, randomized clinical trial conducted in pre-hemodialysis (documented creatinine clearance < or =30 mL/min) and hemodialysis patients, over 15 years of age and naïve for HB, the immunogenicity and safety of single doses of HB-AS04 (Fendrix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) were compared to double doses of commercially available HB vaccine (Engerix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) administered at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months, and followed-up for 36 months. RESULTS: The HB-AS04 vaccine elicited a more rapid onset of protection than the currently licensed vaccine for this particular population, with 74% versus 52% of subjects seroprotected at month 3. After the vaccination course, seroprotection rates increased to 91% versus 84% in the HB-AS04 and standard vaccine groups, respectively. Differences persisted up to 36 months post-vaccination (73% vs. 52%, respectively). Antibody concentrations were higher following the HB-AS04 vaccine at all post-vaccination time points. During the follow-up, significantly fewer subjects primed with the HB-AS04 vaccine needed a booster dose as a consequence of anti-HBs loss below seroprotective levels (11/62 subjects in the HB-AS04 group vs. 22/57 subjects in the standard vaccine group, respectively, P = 0.014). The HB-AS04 was more locally reactogenic than the standard immunization regimen, with pain at the injection site occurring with 41% of HB-AS04 doses versus 19% of standard vaccine doses. The occurrence of grade 3 pain was less than 1% in both groups and all events resolved within the 4-day follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The improved immunogenicity profile and clinically acceptable reactogenicity of HB-AS04 vaccine are of key importance to provide a more rapid, enhanced, and longer seroprotection to these immunocompromised patients at risk for HB infection.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2003

[Ulcerative colitis with segmental involvement].

INTRODUCTION: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting areas of the colon or the full length. From the endoscopic point of view, ulcerative colitis presents lesions that stretch continuously from the rectum to variable colon segments, a characteristic that is of great value when distinguishing it from Crohn's disease. Continuous involvement, without healthy patches, justifies ending endoscopic exploration once the distal end of the lesion has been reached. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively study the frequency of segmental lesions in the colonoscopies performed in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and proctitis was established by clinical, endoscopic, histologic, analytical, and radiological criteria. The indication and number of endoscopies was made on the basis of the clinical criteria of diagnosis, acute episodes, refractoriness or dysplasia screening. The extent of the examination also depended on clinical criteria: the severity of the episode, tolerance to colonoscopy or the degree of cleansing. RESULTS: A total of 155 coloscopies were performed. In 113 colonoscopies (73%) the distal end of the lesion was reached and in 70 (45%) the cecum was reached. Of the 80 patients, 27 (33%) presented ulcerative proctitis at diagnosis. Nine of the 80 patients (11.3%) biopsies were performed in healthy colonic patches, which confirmed histological normality. Six of the 9 patients were receiving no treatment. In all patients except two, the cecum was reached in one or more of the colonoscopies. The distribution of the segmental lesions varied but these were mainly found in the periappendicular region and in the cecum in 6 of the 7 patients in whom the cecum was reached. Of the 80 patients, endoscopic evidence of rectal sparing was found in 5 (6.3%); of these, 4 were receiving systemic or topical treatment. Histological analysis confirmed the absence of inflammatory lesions in these patients. The only patient who was not receiving treatment presented microscopic lesions compatible with ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic segmental lesions in ulcerative colitis were present in 11.3% of patients. Segmental lesions were most frequently found in the cecum and periappendicular region. Endoscopic and histologic evidence of rectal sparing may be the result of systemic or topical treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Impact of hospital admissions for pneumonia in a tertiary Spanish hospital].

BACKGROUND: Impact of hospital admissions for pneumonia during 1998 in the Hospital Clínic, Barcelona. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective information on the hospitalizations for pneumonia was collected. RESULTS: During 1998 a total of 626 adult were admitted with a hospital diagnosis of pneumonia (72% were >/= 65 years). The average length of stay was 10 days. Half of these patients were previously hospitalized during the preceding 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital admissions due to pneumonia (17 cases per 1.000 hospitalizations) accounted for an estimated cost of 2.3% of the cost of all the hospitalized patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Cost analysis of two strategies for preventing hepatitis A virus infection in Spanish travellers to developing countries.

Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of anti-hepatitis A (HAV) antibodies in Spanish travellers to developing countries and to carry out a cost analysis to allow the comparison of two vaccination strategies. Adult subjects were selected from among travellers to developing countries. Information was obtained on age, sex, destination, previous vaccination against HAV and having received immunoglobulin. Blood specimens were obtained for anti-HAV antibody determination. A total of 485 travellers were studied. The prevalence of anti-HAV antibody was 30.5% (95% CI 26-35). Antibody prevalence was inversely correlated with age: 9.8% in 18-25 years of age, rising to 75.4% in those 41-55 years of age. Cost analysis determined that the critical value of prevalence for vaccination with HAV vaccine was 37.5%. It was concluded that the youngest Spanish travellers lack anti-HAV antibodies. Vaccination without screening in those < or = 35 years of age and screening before vaccination for those > 35 years, are the preferred alternatives.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the adult tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. How many doses are necessary?

The immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the tetanus-diphtheria adult type vaccine was compared in two groups: group I (n = 201, 18-30 years old, presumably vaccinated with the DTP vaccine) and group II (n = 147, > or = 45 years old, without vaccination antecedents). Before vaccination, the seroprotection levels for tetanus were 90.5% (group I) and 30.6% (group II). These rose to 99.5% and 81.7%, respectively, after administration of one vaccine dose. For diphtheria, prevaccination seroprotection levels were 38.3% (group I) and 19.0% (group II). These rose to 85.8% and 65.7%, respectively, after vaccination. The logistic regression analysis showed an association between antibody titre and age. In group II, 3 doses of Td vaccine were needed to reach titres similar to those achieved in group I with a single dose. Stated reactogenicity was greater in: young subjects, women, those with higher titres of tetanus antibodies and those receiving other vaccines simultaneously. These results confirm the need for vaccination schedules adapted to the characteristics of each population age-group.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Reactogenicity profile of tetanus-diphtheria (adult-type) vaccine: results of a naturalistic study performed at an adult vaccination center.

A prospective observational naturalistic study was conducted at a vaccination center to assess the reactogenicity of tetanus-diphtheria (adult-type) (Td) vaccine. In 1 year, 3072 adult subjects were invited to participate, of whom 1977 (62% women, mean age [+/- SD]: 39 [+/- 14.5] years [range: 18-85 years]) actively did so. A follow-up diary card was provided to all subjects to record all local and general symptoms experienced during the following 4 days after vaccination. Of the study population (n = 1977), 280 received a second Td dose, and 30 received a third dose: the total number of diary cards collected was 2287. Td was always administered (i.m. route) in the left arm. The study population was grouped by age: 52%, 41%, and 7% were ages 18 to 35, 36 to 65, and > 65 years, respectively, most of them being travelers to developing countries. Close to two-thirds of subjects received up to nine different vaccines (mainly hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and typhoid) in addition to Td. Adverse reactions were classified as mild, moderate, and severe. Overall, 50% of subjects reported some type of adverse reaction. Pain, discomfort with arm movement, swelling, malaise, and fever (axillary temperature > or = 38 degrees C) were recorded in 43%, 14%, 3.8%, 5.1%, and 1.7% of all diary cards, respectively. Local and general reactions were considered as mild by almost two-thirds of vaccinees and lasted < or = 48 hours in about three-fourths of them. The incidence of moderate plus severe local reactions was significantly (p < 0.01) more commonly reported in the 18- to 35-year-old group than in the 36- to 65-year-old group. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the incidence of general adverse reactions of those receiving Td alone with those receiving additional vaccines or when comparing the duration and intensity by age groups. Only 5.2% of subjects required analgesic/antipyretic treatment. In conclusion, this study shows that Td vaccine is reasonably well tolerated when given alone or with other vaccines. Similar studies should be conducted with other vaccines routinely recommended to adults to assess how they are administered in usual clinical practice and the reactogenicity profile perceived by the vaccinees.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Excess length of stay attributable to nosocomial bacteremia: usefulness of the Hospitalization Appropriateness Protocol].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) for assessing the extra length of stay attributable to nosocomial bacteremia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records (1989, 1990 and 1991) of all patients, who developed Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial bacteremia. Evaluation of hospital stay was performed using the AEP. Calculation of the kappa index and intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients were included S. aureus nosocomial bacteremia is responsible for a mean excess length of stay of 4.3 days per patient. Kappa index for the method used was 76%, and intraclass correlation coefficient was 61%. CONCLUSIONS: The AEP has been shown to be a reliable tool for assessing the extra days of stay attributable to nosocomial bacteremia in the Spanish National Health System. The use of AEP should be extended to assess the extra stay attributable to other types of nosocomial infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Whole cell lysate enzyme immunoassays vs. recombinant glycoprotein G2-based immunoassays for HSV-2 seroprevalence studies.

Seroepidemiology studies of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections have been difficult to carry out because antibodies to HSV type 1 (HSV-1) show an extensive cross-reactivity with HSV-2 antigens. Many kits available currently are not entirely type specific for serodiagnosis of HSV-2 infections and therefore do not allow reliable discrimination of past exposure to these closely related alphaherpes viruses. Attempts to develop type-specific antigens have focused on the envelope glycoproteins, particularly glycoprotein G (gG). A cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the seroprevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 among healthy university students, using different methods: a whole cell lysate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), two different ELISAs, and a newly developed immunoblot assay, the last three based on recombinant gG2. HSV-2 prevalence was 24 times higher with the whole cell lysate ELISA (31%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27-35%) than the ELISAs and the immunoblot assay based on recombinant gG2 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.1-2.5%), thus showing the inaccuracy of commercial tests based on whole-antigen preparations for epidemiological studies. Laboratories should be cautious and ensure that commercial tests for HSV typing are based on type-specific glycoproteins.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Assessment of patients' expectations before admission to a tertiary-care center].

BACKGROUND: The customer's final satisfaction with health services depends to some extent, on the relationship between expectancy and perceived quality. Focus groups technique helps in the knowledge of those attributes that patients identified as perceived quality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in the Hospital Clínic i Provincial of Barcelona (HCPB), Spain, by selecting a sample of patient's included in the admission's waiting list (1994) of three common procedures: lens extraction, abdominal hernia repair and routine pregnancy control. The patients were distributed in 12 different semi-structured interview groups (focus groups) and video-taped. From the analysis of those tapes, the main concerns and aspects highlighted by consumers were identified, following a common set of rules: wording, context, internal consistency, precision/vagueness of answers and basic ideas. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients attend the interview. Patients with loss of visual acuity underscore the contribution of quality of life improvement expected from the procedure (technical quality of the surgical procedure, physical improvement and final outcomes). Patient's with abdominal hernia repair highlight the appearance and comfort of hospital setting as the most important item. Pregnant women emphasize the importance of a good follow-up process after delivery, as well as the need for individual services (dignity and intimate). CONCLUSION: The semi-structured interview method (focus group) could be applied in the context of our hospitals, and contribute to improve quality management at our institutions, making effective the patient participation.

Cataract Extraction↗
PubMed1997

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin as a marker of alcohol consumption in male patients with liver disease.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been proposed as a marker of alcohol abuse. However, its value in patients with associated liver disease is still controversial. The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of CDT as a marker of alcohol consumption in patients with liver disease. We measured serum levels of CDT and those of commonly used hematological and biochemical markers, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), transaminases (AST and ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase in 179 male subjects divided into four groups: 45 active drinkers (13 with normal liver, 21 with fibrosteatosis, and 11 with liver cirrhosis), 45 abstinent chronic alcoholics (18 with and 27 without liver disease), 58 patients with nonalcoholic liver disease, and 31 healthy controls. Serum CDT in active alcoholics was 37.5 +/- 3.6 units/liter, being significantly higher than that of abstinent alcoholics (20.3 +/- 1.5 units/liter), patients with nonalcoholic liver disease (18.1 +/- 1.1 units/liter), and controls (13.1 +/- 0.8 units/liter). Contrary to the other markers, no significant differences were observed in CDT values in relation with the presence and severity of liver disease in either the active drinkers or in the abstinent alcoholics. The sensitivity and specificity of CDT as a marker of alcoholism in the series as a whole was 64% and 82%, respectively, similar to the best conventional marker, MCV (64 and 82%). In patients with liver disease, CDT maintained good sensitivity (72%) and specificity (83%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed that CDT had a similar diagnostic value to that of MCV, but better than gamma-glutamyl-transferase and transaminases for the detection of alcohol abusers. The good diagnostic efficacy of CDT remained unchanged when analyzing only patients with liver disease. We conclude that serum CDT is a good marker of alcoholism and is less influenced than the currently used biochemical markers for associated liver disease. Thus, CDT is an effective laboratory test to detect alcohol abuse regardless of the presence of alcoholic liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis A virus infection among health sciences students in Catalonia, Spain].

BACKGROUND: To know current hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis A (HAV) infection status among a group of health sciences students during 1990-1993 period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS SUBJECTS: 1,734 health sciences students during 1990-1991, 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 academic years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: demographic variables, vaccination history against HAV and HBV viruses, anti-HBc and anti-HAV antibody titres (ELISA kits). RESULTS: 1,734 subjects aged 22.5 +/- 2.9 years (75% women) were included. Anti-HBc total cumulated prevalence during the three year period was 2.5% (CI 95%, 1.9%-3.4%). Anti-HAV total cumulated prevalence during the three year period was 13.9% (CI 95%: 11.4%-16.8%). No statistical significant association between antibody prevalence and both age sex was found. CONCLUSIONS: Low prevalence, and thus, high susceptibility to HBV and HAV infection was found. We stress the importance of systematic vaccination among health sciences students not previously engaged in universal vaccination programmes. We also point out the need for further analysis upon the utility of combined HB/HA vaccine as an alternative to antihepatitis B universal vaccination programmes among adolescent cohorts.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Susceptibility to measles, rubella and parotitis in young adults].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella and parotiditis in young adults. METHODS: The study was carried out in health care students during the academic year of 1992-1993. Demographic and geographic variables were obtained as were vaccination and history of diseases. Antibodies against measles, rubella, and parotiditis were determined by ELISA techniques with commercial reagents. RESULTS: Three hundred and six individuals of 21.3 +/- 2.2 years (range 17-36 years) with 27.5% being males were studied. Past history of measles, rubella and parotiditis was reported in 43.5, 30.7 and 37.3%, respectively, with vaccination being 23.2, 43.8 and 20.6%, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies was 93.1% (measles), 96.4% (rubella) and 92.1% (parotiditis). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of infection of measles, rubella and parotiditis in the young population studied is mainly due to infection by wild type virus. The foreseeable growth of susceptibility groups in this population which should be adequately evaluated by extensive seroepidemiologic questionnaires, favors the appearance of epidemic outbreaks. The use of the triple viral vaccine is suggested as an alternative to rubella vaccination in presumable susceptible young women.

Adolescent↗