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Objective During the 2013–2016 period, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika affected more than 1 million people in Colombia. These arboviruses and their chronic manifestations pose a public health challenge. Therefore, we estimated the burden of disease by Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika in Colombia between 2013 and 2016. Methods An exploratory ecological study was carried out using the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as a unit of measure. The mortality databases of the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) and the morbidity databases of the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) were used. Deaths and cases for each arbovirus were grouped and then adjusted to control biases. Subsequently, we performed a sensitivity analysis. Results In the 2013–2016 period, 491,629.2 DALYs were lost due to arboviruses in Colombia. By disease, 26.6% of the total DALYs were caused by Dengue, 71.3% by Chikungunya, and the remaining 2.2%, by Zika. The majority of DALYs (68.2%) were caused by chronic complications. Five out of 32 departments (Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Norte de Santander, Huila, and Bolivar) contributed 50.5% of total DALYs. Conclusion The burden of disease by arboviruses in the 2013–2016 period exceeded the burden of other infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Colombia. Public health efforts must be made to mitigate new epidemics of these arboviruses.

Background and Aim Liver disease refers to a set of pathologies resulting from the interruption of liver function or the poor functioning of the liver. The estimation of morbidity and mortality due to liver disease and the context in which the disease develops are determining factors for public policies related to liver disease and its causes. The primary etiologies are cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which are directly related to hepatitis B and C virus and alcohol consumption. Followed by hepatotoxic drug use, autoimmune hepatitis, cholestatic diseases, genetic abnormalities, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Methods A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of liver disease in Colombia between 2009 and 2016. Using the Data Warehouse–Cube of SISPRO as the primary source of the data, prevalence proportions were calculated and adjusted according to the Bennett Horiuchi method. The relationship with alcohol consumption and the index of unsatisfied basic needs based on estimates from 2005 were considered as sociodemographic variables. Results The prevalence of liver disease differs with regard to the type of illness, sex and age of the patient, access to medical attention, and geographical location. Conclusions As liver disease is a public health problem, it requires early intervention such as raising awareness and prevention strategies, along with postdiagnosis care channels for treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation. By implementing these strategies, public health will be positively impacted, health care resources will be optimized, and more productive years of life are available for the citizens of the country., Liver disease is composed of a set of pathologies with nonspecific or without associated symptoms. Between 2009 and 2016 in Colombia, there were 649 887 cases of liver disease. We have shown that prevalence of liver disease is associated to the sales of alcohol reported by departments.

Objective.To determine the frequency of chronic joint pain and stiffness 3 years after infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in a Latin American cohort.Methods.A cross-sectional followup of 120 patients from an initial cohort of 500 patients who reported joint pain 2 years after infection from the Atlántico Department, Colombia. Patients were clinically diagnosed as having CHIKV during the 2014–2015 epidemic, and baseline and followup symptoms at 40 months were evaluated in serologically confirmed cases.Results.Of the initial 500 patients enrolled in the study, 482 had serologically confirmed chikungunya infection. From this group, 123 patients reported joint pain 20 months after infection, and 54% of those patients reported continued joint pain 40 months after infection. Therefore, 1 out of every 8 people who tested serologically positive for CHIKV infection had persistent joint pain 3 years after infection. Participants who followed up in person were predominantly adult (mean ± SD age 51 ± 14 yrs) and female (86%). The most common type of pain reported in these patients at 40 months post-infection was pain with periods of relief and subsequent reoccurrence, and over 75% reported stiffness after immobility, with 39% experiencing morning stiffness.Conclusion.To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe persistent joint pain and stiffness 40 months after viral infection. The high frequency of chronic disease highlights the need to develop prevention and treatment methods. Further studies should be conducted to understand the similarities between post-chikungunya joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim To compare the sensitivity and specificity of screening for preeclampsia and FGR including maternal characteristics, mean arterial blood pressure and uterine artery pulsatility index and the combined screening, which adds biochemical markers, such as placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), in a sample of high risk population for hypertensive disorders. Methods This is a prospective study with 527 singleton pregnancies at 11-14 weeks of gestation. Maternal characteristics, biochemical and biophysical markers were studied to determine the development of preeclampsia and FGR by using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results For preeclampsia, screening, including sociodemographic data plus biophysical markers, had a sensitivity and specificity of 70.3% (CI% 64.3-75.2) and 93.8% (CI% 90.9-96.8), respectively. Combined screening, which includes sociodemographic data, biophysical (mean blood pressure and uterine artery pulsatility index) and biochemical markers (PlGF and PAPP-A), increased sensitivity and specificity up to 85.5% (CI% 80.2-90.3) and 96.3% (CI% 91.4-98.9), respectively. For FGR, sociodemographic data plus biophysical markers had a sensitivity and specificity of 57.8% (CI% 50.1-63.4) and 80.1% (CI% 74.3-85.9), respectively. Combined screening increased sensitivity and specificity up to 67.2% (CI% 52.1-71.3) and 82.7% (CI% 75.2-90.1), respectively. Conclusion Combined screening for preeclampsia and FGR at 11 to 14 weeks of gestation, which includes maternal characteristics, mean blood pressure, uterine artery pulsatility index, PAPP-A and PlGF, has higher sensitivity and specificity than other screening options. Therefore, considering all these variables during screening is recommended for a superior opportunity of identifying pregnant women in risk for preeclampsia and FGR, especially in a high-risk population.

In 2015, the Zika virus was introduced in Colombia. The emergence of this arbovirus is a public health challenge for the country, considering the association between the infection and congenital disorders such as microcephaly. Thus, we estimated the burden of disease due to microcephaly associated with Zika in Colombia and its administrative subdivisions for the period 2015-2016. We conducted an exploratory ecological study, using as unit of measurement disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The cases of microcephaly were obtained from the Zika national and departmental databases built by the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA). Deaths attributed to microcephaly were estimated from previous studies. Finally, we calculated mortality rates and incidences, then we performed a sensitivity analysis under three scenarios (conservative, medium, and extreme) to estimate the DALYs. In the 2015-2016 period, 10,609.4 DALYs were caused by microcephaly associated with Zika in Colombia. 71% of the total DALYs were years of life lost and 29% were years lived with disability. Five out of 32 departments (Meta, Córdoba, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, and Norte de Santander) contributed 71% of total DALYs. The burden of microcephaly associated with Zika outweighed the burden of other congenital anomalies such as neural tube defects and Down syndrome in children aged between 0 and 4 years in Colombia. Public health efforts must be made to prevent and monitor these cases. En 2015, el virus del Zika fue introducido en Colombia. La aparición de este arbovirus es un desafío para el sistema de salud pública del país, debido a la asociación entre la infección y alteraciones congénitas como la microcefalia. Por estas razones, se estimó la carga de la enfermedad, debido a la microcefalia asociada al Zika en Colombia, así como en sus subdivisiones administrativas en el periodo 2015-2016. Se realizó un estudio ecológico de tipo exploratorio, usando como unidad de medida los años de vida ajustados por discapacidad (DALYs, por sus siglas en inglés). Los casos de microcefalia debidos al Zika se obtuvieron de bases de datos nacionales y departamentales, construidas por el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública (SIVIGILA). Finalmente, se calcularon las tasas de mortalidad e incidencias, y posteriormente realizamos un análisis de sensibilidad bajo tres escenarios (conservador, medio y extremo), con el fin de estimar los DALYs. Durante el período de 2015-2016, se estimaron 10.609, 4 DALYs por microcefalia asociada con el Zika en Colombia. El 71% de los DALYs correspondieron a los años de vida perdidos y; el restante 29%, a los años vividos con discapacidad. Cinco de los 32 departamentos de Colombia (Meta, Córdoba, Tolima, Valle del Cauca y Norte de Santander) aportaron el 71% del total de DALYs. La carga de microcefalia asociada al Zika superó con creces la carga de otras alteraciones congénitas tales como defectos del tubo neural y síndrome de Down en niños entre los 0-4 años en Colombia. Se deben realizar esfuerzos en salud pública para prevenir y monitorear estos casos. O vírus Zika foi introduzido na Colômbia em 2015. O surgimento dessa arbovirose é um desafio para a saúde pública do país, devido à associação entre a infecção e as anomalias congênitas como a microcefalia. Portanto, o estudo buscou estimar a carga de doença pela microcefalia associada ao vírus Zika na Colômbia como um todo e em duas subdivisões administrativas nos anos de 2015 e 2016. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico de tipo exploratório, usando como unidade de medida os anos de vida ajustados para incapacidade (AVAIs). Os casos de microcefalia foram coletados das bases de dados nacionais e departamentais construídos por do Sistema Nacional de Vigilância em Saúde Pública (SIVIGILA). Os óbitos por microcefalia foram estimados a partir de estudos anteriores. Através dos coeficientes de mortalidade e de incidência, realizamos uma análise de sensibilidade em três cenários distintos (conservador, médio e extremo) para estimar os AVAIs. No período de 2015-2016, foram estimados 10.609,4 AVAIs pela microcefalia associada ao Zika na Colômbia. 71% dos AVAIs correspondiam aos anos de vida perdidos, e os outros 29% representavam os anos vividos com incapacidade. Cinco dos 32 departamentos (Meta, Córdoba, Tolima, Valle del Cauca e Norte de Santander) contribuíram com 71% do total de AVAIs. A carga da microcefalia associada ao Zika ultrapassou a carga por outras anomalias congênitas, como os defeitos do tubo neural e a síndrome de Down em crianças de 0 a 4 anos na Colômbia. São necessárias medidas de saúde pública para prevenir e acompanhar esses casos.

In Colombia, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were implemented into the infant universal mass vaccination program in a stepwise manner; PCV-7 between 2009 and 2011 in different geographic regions/cities, with nationwide introduction of a 10-valent vaccine (PHiD-CV) in 2012. We aimed to describe trends in all-cause pneumonia mortality and overall mortality, and in the incidence of all-cause pneumonia and otitis media (OM) in Colombian children

Dengue is the most important arbovirosis in the world. In this study, we assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding dengue in parents from two small Colombian municipalities in the Cundinamarca Province. Parents and their healthy children from 4 to 14 years of age were included in some public elementary schools. After a medical examination, blood samples were taken for diagnosis of dengue using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (capture immunoglobulin M and capture immunoglobulin G [IgG], indirect IgG and detection non-structural viral protein 1) and detection of viral RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In addition, a KAP survey was applied to the children’s parents or tutors. The indirect IgG test determined that of the 347 examined children, 87.9% had a previous infection with the dengue virus (DENV), 12.7% of them were positive for viral RNA (asymptomatic infection), and 32.0% presented reinfections. Risk factors evaluation showed that children aged 8 years and older living in the municipalities for more than 7 years were more likely to be infected or reinfected by DENV. In the same way, poor nutrition, lack of water supply, sewer service, or waste disposal services could raise the likelihood of dengue infections. The surveys indicated that parents have unhealthy practices and a low knowledge about the transmission of the disease, which could result in an increase of mosquito breeding sites, allowing sustained dengue transmission.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous and incurable disease that evolves from asymptomatic premalignant conditions. The worldwide incidence, prevalence and mortality are well known thanks to data reported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and by the GLOBOCAN World Cancer Observatory. The data provided by Colombia to these reports comes from the population cancer registries corresponding to 5 cities whose most up-to-date data are from 2018. National data can also be found in the base of the high-cost account. Although it is true that there are excellent sources of information, it is believed that there is a significant underreporting of the prevalence of the disease, which makes it necessary to optimize the information to achieve the establishment of programs oriented to work on better control of this type of hematological cancer. The study MiMENTe (Mieloma Múltiple Epidemiología Nacional y territorial) is a collaborative effort to know the reality of the disease in terms of incidence, prevalence and mortality in Colombia as a first step to control the disease even in the premalignant stages for the future wanting to position itself as a model for the control of MM in developing countries. Methods MiMENTE (Mieloma Múltiple, Epidemiología Nacional y territorial) is a multiphase study that is going through its first stage through a cross-sectional study in Colombia. The total population diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (ICD Code 10 C900) during the 2008-2018 period was included in the RIPS Individual Service Delivery Registry in Colombia and a comparison was made with the available data from GLOBOCAN (Global Cancer Observatory) and High Cost Account. Records that had an unidentified diagnosis were excluded. For this phase, a comparison is made of the data from the registries of the three entities described, three measures of frequency are established: Incidence, prevalence and mortality, standardizing the latter by means of a direct method, making the Colombian population comparable with large countries such as the United States. and Spain cataloged as centers of reference in the management and diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. Variables such as ethnicity, age, place of origin, health regime, place of death will be studied in the future in later phases of the study. Results Between 2009 and 2018 (10 years), 26,356 MM diagnoses were found throughout the national territory of Colombia. The departments where the most attention to patients with this diagnosis was presented were Cundinamarca, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, Santander, Bolívar and Atlántico Figure 1. The standardized incidence rate for Colombia in 2018 was 1.79 x 100,000 inhabitants, being higher in the Andean region as shown in the heat map. Graph 1. The total number of prevalent cases per year varied from 1138 cases in 2009 to 4474 cases in 2018 being for this year the adjusted prevalence of 8.97 x 100,000 inhabitants / year Graph 2. When the prevalence is analyzed by regions it is higher in the Andean region Graph 3. During this entire period of time, 5481 deaths were found, being 20.80%. The highest mortality occurred in the departments of Vichada, Meta, Caquetá, Risaralda, Atlántico and the island of San Andrés. Figure 2. The age-standardized mortality rate for Colombia is 1,39x100,000 inhabitants (Adjusted with the population of the United States). The most up-to-date data from IARC and GLOBOCAN are those corresponding to the year 2018. A comparison was made of our data with those reported in this last registry for Colombia in addition to the high-cost account. Comparative data were developed with the population of the United States, standardizing this population and it was also compared with the data reported for Spain. The prevalence of the disease is higher in Colombia than reported by GLOBOCAN, IARC and High cost drug account Table 1. Conclusion This is the first report of the MiMENTe study that shows the incidence, prevalence and mortality of patients with 10-year-old multiple myeloma in Colombia. The prevalence of the disease is higher than that reported by international registries. The regions with the highest incidence were those belonging to the andean region. The highest prevalence was confirmed in Bogotá and Antioquia and the highest mortality was observed in the Orinoco region. Disclosures Idrobo: Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Tecnofarma: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Background Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a malignant hematologic disease with a high cure rate, but unfortunately it produces several serious complications at the onset of the disease that explain the high early mortality. Based on clinical experience and the papers that precede this document, it has been observed that the incidence of this type of hematological cancer tends to increase at certain times of the year. The present study aims to determine the possible variations in the time intervals of the prevalence of promyelocytic leukemia in Colombia in the decade 2009 to 2019, in order to identify the behavior of the event, seasonality and cyclicality. Methods With data from the individual records of service provision (RIPS) of the official Colombian health system, the prevalence of APL in Colombia from 2009 to 2019 was identified. A filter was made by people attended, main diagnosis, C924 - promyelocytic leukemia acute, by year, semester and month. The analysis was performed with RStudio, R version 4.0.2 (2020-06-22); The fpp2 library was used, the analysis of the monthly and quarterly time series was carried out, the decomposition of the time series was carried out, trying through this process to evaluate the seasonal indices through additive and multiplicative types. Results During the entire period 2009 to 2019, 2,986 APL diagnoses were found throughout the national territory of Colombia. A progressive increase in prevalence was determined in the period studied (Graph 1). Cycles of increasing cases were observed every 10 months in the period 2009 to 2015 and in the cycle from 2016 to 2019 there was a prolongation of the cycle every 17 months, which strongly suggested that APL has cyclical behavior. Quarterly seasonality was identified by the multiplicative method with increases and decreases that behave in a similar way throughout the period studied (Graph 2). Conclusion APL is a highly curable disease that requires adequate support at the onset of the disease to avoid early mortality. The data from this study allow us to conclude that for the period 2009 to 2019 there is a seasonal behavior of this malignant hemopathy. The possibility of predicting during which months of the year the incidence of the disease will increase can serve to properly plan the health services in charge of treating this disease. Additional studies are required to determine what is the cause of the cyclical and seasonal behavior of this APL Disclosures Idrobo: Amgen:Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Takeda:Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Janssen:Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Tecnofarma:Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Abbvie:Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Most alphaviruses are mosquito-borne and can cause severe disease in domesticated animals and humans. The most notable recent outbreak in the Americas was the 2014 chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak affecting millions and producing disease highlighted by rash and arthralgia. Chikungunya virus is a member of the Semliki Forest (SF) serocomplex, and before its arrival in the Americas, two other member of the SF complex, Una (UNAV) and Mayaro (MAYV) viruses, were circulating in Central and South America. This study examined whether antibodies from convalescent CHIKV patients could cross-neutralize UNAV and MAYV. Considerable cross-neutralization of both viruses was observed, suggesting that exposure to CHIKV can produce antibodies that may mitigate infection with UNAV or MAYV. Understanding the impact of CHIKV exposure on population susceptibility to other emerging viruses may help predict outbreaks; moreover, identification of cross-reactive immune responses among alphaviruses may lead to the development of vaccines targeting multiple viruses.

According to the World Health Organization, dengue is a neglected tropical disease. Latin America, specifically Colombia is in alert regarding this arbovirosis as there was a spike in the number of reported dengue cases at the beginning of 2019. Although there has been a worldwide decrease in the number of reported dengue cases, Colombia has shown a growing trend over the past few years. This study performed a Poisson multilevel analysis with mixed effects on STATA® version 16 and R to assess sociodemographic, climatic, and entomological factors that may influence the occurrence of dengue in three municipalities for the period 2010–2015. Information on dengue cases and their sociodemographic variables was collected from the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) records. For climatic variables (temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation), we used the information registered by the weather stations located in the study area, which are managed by the Instituto de Hidrologia, Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM) or the Corporación Autónoma Regional (CAR). The entomological variables (house index, container index, and Breteau index) were provided by the Health office of the Cundinamarca department. SIVIGILA reported 1921 dengue cases and 56 severe dengue cases in the three municipalities; of them, three died. One out of four cases occurred in rural areas. The age category most affected was adulthood, and there were no statistical differences in the number of cases between sexes. The Poisson multilevel analysis with the best fit model explained the presentation of cases were temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, childhood, live in urban area and the contributory healthcare system. The temperature had the biggest influence on the presentation of dengue cases in this region between 2010 and 2015., Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image, Highlights • Climate, urban residency, healthcare affiliation, childhood are key factors for dengue. • Multilevel analysis identified temperature as the most important factor. • 25% of dengue cases in this study were in rural areas. • Our research shows climate factors that could increase dengue cases probability. • Climate change trend could increase arbovirosis cases.

This study aimed to identify the co-circulation patterns of three viruses (dengue, Zika, and -chikungunya) in Colombia from 2008 to 2018 by using notification reports provided to the national surveillance system.This cross-sectional study was conducted through a review of data for 2008 through 2018 from Colombia's Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA).In 2015, when chikungunya was first detected, it had a higher incidence (1 359.0 cases per 100 000 persons) than did the two other diseases. In 2016, when the circulation of Zika virus was first found, the incidence was 296.4 cases per 100 000 persons; that incidence declined dramatically in the next two years. Between 2015 and 2018, there was a substantial decrease in the frequency of dengue circulation, with it going from 334.1 cases per 100 000 persons in 2015 to 90.7 cases per 100 000 in 2017 and 173.1 cases per 100 000 in 2018.The decrease in the number of dengue cases after co-circulation of the three viruses could indicate possible cross-protection. This finding should be further analyzed.Establecer las características de la cocirculación de tres virus (dengue, Zika y chikunguña) en Colombia desde el 2008 hasta el 2018. Para ello, en este estudio se han utilizado los informes de notificación que se proporcionan al sistema nacional de vigilancia.Este estudio transversal se llevó a cabo mediante el análisis de los datos correspondientes al período 2008-2018 del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública de Colombia (SIVIGILA).En el 2015, cuando se detectó por primera vez el chikunguña, este virus tuvo una incidencia mayor (1 359,0 casos por 100 000 personas) que las otras dos enfermedades. En el 2016, cuando se detectó por primera vez la circulación del virus del Zika, la incidencia fue de 296,4 casos por 100 000 personas; el número de casos disminuyó enormemente en los siguientes dos años. Entre el 2015 y el 2018, se observó una reducción sustancial en la frecuencia de la circulación del dengue: se pasó de 334,1 casos por 100 000 personas en el 2015 a 90,7 casos por 100 000 en el 2017 y a 173,1 casos por 100 000 en el 2018.La disminución en el número de casos del dengue que siguió a la cocirculación de los tres virus podría indicar una posible protección cruzada. Este resultado debe analizarse en otros estudios.Identificar padrões de co-circulação de três vírus (dengue, Zika e chikungunya) na Colômbia de 2008 a 2018 mediante análise de casos notificados ao sistema nacional de vigilância.Estudo transversal realizado através de análise de dados de 2008 a 2018 obtidos do Sistema de Vigilância em Saúde Pública da Colômbia (SIVIGILA).Em 2015, quando o chikungunya foi detectado pela primeira vez, sua incidência foi superior à das duas outras doenças (1.359,0 casos por 100,000 habitantes). Em 2016, quando a circulação do vírus zika foi detectada pela primeira vez, a incidência foi de 296,4 casos por 100,000 pessoas, decaindo drasticamente nos dois anos seguintes. Entre 2015 e 2018, houve uma redução importante na frequência de circulação do vírus dengue, de 334,1 casos por 100,000 habitantes em 2015 a 90,7 casos por 100,000 em 2017 e 173,1 casos por 100,000 em 2018.A redução do número de casos de dengue após o estabelecimento da co-circulação dos três vírus pode indicar proteção cruzada. Este achado requer análise adicional.

The cytokine profile during acute chikungunya infection that predicts future chronic arthritis has not yet been investigated. We conducted a nested case-control study comparing serum cytokine concentrations during acute chikungunya infection in cases (n = 121) that reported the presence of chronic joint pain versus age- and gender-matched controls (n = 121) who reported recovery at 20 months post infection. We observed that a robust cytokine response during acute infection was correlated with a decreased incidence of chronic joint pain and that low TNF&alpha, IL-13, IL-2, and IL-4 during acute infection was predictive of chronic joint pain. These data suggest that a robust cytokine response is necessary for viral clearance and cytokines that are related to immune tolerance during acute infection may be protective for chronic arthritis pathogenesis.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el exceso de mortalidad potencialmente atribuible a los virus de la influenza A y B y al virus sincitial respiratorio humano (VSRH) en las temporadas de mayor circulacion de los virus de la influenza en Bogota, Colombia entre 1997 y 2005. METODOS: Se relacionaron las tasas mensuales de mortalidad general, por neumonia en menores de 5 anos y por neumonia y afecciones cardiovasculares en mayores de 60 anos, en Bogota, Colombia, con las temporadas de mayor circulacion de los virus de la influenza en esa ciudad. Los datos de mortalidad se obtuvieron del Departamento Nacional de Estadisticas de Colombia; las temporadas de mayor circulacion de los virus se definieron como los meses contiguos en los que el numero de aislamientos era igual o superior a la mitad del total de los aislamientos del ano. Se calcularon las razones de tasas de incidencia (RTI) y sus intervalos de confianza de 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS: El virus de la influenza A mostro un patron de circulacion estacional, pero no el de la influenza B y el VSRH. La mayor circulacion de los virus de la influenza se asocio con un incremento promedio anual de 5% en la mortalidad general durante el periodo estudiado (RTI = 1,05; IC95%: 1,046 a 1,064). En las temporadas de mayor circulacion de los virus de la influenza, la mortalidad combinada por neumonia e influenza en todas las edades fue mayor en 11% que en el resto del periodo (RTI = 1,11; IC95%: 1,051 a 1,178). CONCLUSIONES: En las temporadas de mayor circulacion de los virus de la influenza en Colombia puede aumentar la mortalidad, en particular por neumonia y afecciones cardiovasculares en mayores de 60 anos. Deben emprenderse acciones de prevencion especificas para prevenir la influenza, especialmente en estos dos grupos de edad.

INTRODUCTION: In Colombia, there are no published studies for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria comparing artemisinin combination therapies. Hence, it is intended to demonstrate the non-inferior efficacy/safety profiles of artesunate + amodiaquine versus artemether-lumefantrine treatments. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, open-label, noninferiority (Δ≤5%) clinical trial was performed in adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria using the 28‑day World Health Organization validated design/definitions. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either oral artesunate + amodiaquine or artemether-lumefantrine. The primary efficacy endpoint: adequate clinical and parasitological response; secondary endpoints: - treatment failures defined per the World Health Organization. Safety: assessed through adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients was included in each group: zero censored observations. Mean (95%CI - Confidence interval) adequate clinical and parasitological response rates: 100% for artesunate + amodiaquine and 99% for artemether-lumefantrine; the noninferiority criteria was met (Δ=1.7%). There was one late parasitological therapeutic failure (1%; artemether-lumefantrine group), typified by polymerase chain reaction as the MAD20 MSP1 allele. The fever clearance time (artesunate + amodiaquine group) was significantly shorter (p=0.002). Respectively, abdominal pain for artesunate + amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine was 1.9% and 3.8% at baseline (p=0.68) and 1% and 13.3% after treatment (p

Objetivo Estimar la carga de enfermedad asociada a influenza y modelar el impacto epidemiológico y económico de la introducción de la vacuna para influenza en Colombia. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de evaluación económica completa de la introducción de la vacuna de influenza en dos grupos poblacionales. Los desenlaces seleccionados en menores de dos años fueron la frecuencia de enfermedad respiratoria (ERA), consultas y hospitalizaciones por ERA. En mayores de 65 años se adicionaron las muertes y hospitalizaciones por enfermedad cardiosvascular y cerebrovascular. Resultados En el escenario sin vacunación, el virus de influenza produciría anualmente 4 300 casos, 2 700 consultas, 900 hospitalizaciones y 230 muertes por ERA en menores de dos años. En mayores de 65 años, se presentarían anualmente 670 muertes por neumonía, 1 150 muertes por enfermedad cardiovascular y 720 muertes por enfermedad cerebrovascular relacionadas con influenza. El costo efectividad de la vacuna en menores de dos años oscila entre US $ 1 900 y US $ 2 967 por muerte evitada mientras que para mayores de 65 años la razón de costo efectividad seria costo ahorrativa. Conclusiones Los resultados del presente estudio apoyarían la decisión del Ministerio de la Protección Social y algunas Secretarias de Salud de introducir la vacunación en Colombia para menores de dos años y mayores de 65 años.

Objetivo Identifi car factores clínicos y sociodemográfi cos asociados a enfermedad respiratoria severa durante las temporadas de circulación de infl uenza Métodos Se realizó un estudio de casos retrospectivo en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedad respiratoria aguda durante las temporadas de circulación del virus de la infl uenza del año 2000 al 2006 en tres hospitales de Bogota y Manizales. Se estudio la frecuencia de complicaciones, incluyendo la muerte, y su relación con la presencia de enfermedades de base. Resultados Se estudiaron 535 niños menores de dos años y 288 adultos mayores de 65 años. En los niños, la presencia de una enfermedad de base se relacionó con complicaciones como la muerte hospitalaria (OR=16,5 IC 95 % 4,7-57,7), , el ingreso a UCI (OR=6,3 IC 95 % 3,5-11,3 ), difi cultad respiratoria que ameritaba uso de ventilación mecánica (OR= 2,4 IC 95 % 1,6-3,7),) y, la neumonía multilobar (OR=2,1 IC 95 %1,3-3,4),.Esta asociación se mantenia después de ajustar por factores de confusion como edad y estrato socioeconomico. En los adultos mayores no se observó esta relación. Conclusiones Durante las temporadas de infl uenza los niños con enfermedad crónica presentan una enfermedad más severa. Los niños menores de 6 meses, que no son objeto de vacunación, mostraron tener mayor frecuencia de complicaciones importantes como la muerte y el ingreso a UCI Es necesario por tal razón tener en cuenta este aspecto para el ajuste en las medidas de prevención y control tales como la vacunación. Objective Identifying clinical factors associated with respiratory tract diseases during human infl uenza circulation seasons in children aged less than two years old and adults aged over 65 years in two hospitals in the cities of Manizales and Bogota, Colombia. Methods A retrospective case study in patients hospitalized with acute respiratory illness was carried out during infl uenza circulation seasons from 2000 to 2006 in Bogota and Manizales. Complication frequency was studied, including death, and its relationship with baseline diseases. Results 535 children under two years of age and 288 adults over 65 years old were studied. 38.9 % of the children and 27 % of the adults had at least one complication. The presence of underlying disease in children was associated with complications such as hospital death (OR=16.5; 4.7-57.7 95%CI), being admitted to an intensive care unit (OR=6.3; 3.5-11.3 95%CI), respiratory distress needing FIO2> 40 % (OR=2.4; 1.6-3.7 95 %CI), mechanical ventilation (OR=2.4; 1.6-3.7 95 %CI) and multilobar pneumonia (OR=2.1; 1.3-3.4 95 %CI). This association remained after adjusting for confounding factors such as age and socioeconomic status, whilst such relationship was not observed in older adults. Conclusion Children with underlying chronic diseases were more susceptible to clinical complications during infl uenza seasons. Those under 6 months of age were particularly prone to dying or being admitted to an ICU. These results suggested that vaccination policies need to be adjusted.