Ana F. López‐Azcona

Universidad Rovira i Virgili

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Simona Iftimie

Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili

Antoni Castro

Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili

Jordi Camps

Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili

Jorge Joven

Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili

Helena Castañé

Universidad Rovira i Virgili

Anna Hernández‐Aguilera

Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus

Elisabet Rodríguez‐Tomàs

Karolinska Institutet

Gerard Baiges‐Gayà

Universidad Rovira i Virgili

Andrea Jiménez-Franco

Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus

Xavier Gabaldó-Barrios

Universidad Rovira i Virgili

Cooperative Institutions

Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili

Universidad Rovira i Virgili

Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus

Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red

Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas

Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona

Universitat de Barcelona

Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition

Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer

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First and second waves of coronavirus disease-19: A comparative study in hospitalized patients in Reus, Spain

PLoS ONE (2021)

Simona Iftimie Ana F. López‐Azcona Immaculada Vallverdú Salvador Hernández-Flix Gabriel de Febrer

Many countries have seen a two-wave pattern in reported cases of coronavirus disease-19 during the 2020 pandemic, with a first wave during spring followed by the current second wave in late summer and autumn. Empirical data show that the characteristics of the effects of the virus do vary between the two periods. Differences in age range and severity of the disease have been reported, although the comparative characteristics of the two waves still remain largely unknown. Those characteristics are compared in this study using data from two equal periods of 3 and a half months. The first period, between 15 th March and 30 th June, corresponding to the entire first wave, and the second, between 1 st July and 15 th October, corresponding to part of the second wave, still present at the time of writing this article. Two hundred and four patients were hospitalized during the first period, and 264 during the second period. Patients in the second wave were younger and the duration of hospitalization and case fatality rate were lower than those in the first wave. In the second wave, there were more children, and pregnant and post-partum women. The most frequent signs and symptoms in both waves were fever, dyspnea, pneumonia, and cough, and the most relevant comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic neurological diseases. Patients from the second wave more frequently presented renal and gastrointestinal symptoms, were more often treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation and corticoids, and less often with invasive mechanical ventilation, conventional oxygen therapy and anticoagulants. Several differences in mortality risk factors were also observed. These results might help to understand the characteristics of the second wave and the behaviour and danger of SARS-CoV-2 in the Mediterranean area and in Western Europe. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Case fatality rate

Pandemic

10.1371/journal.pone.0248029

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Citations (255)

Machine learning identified distinct serum lipidomic signatures in hospitalized COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2021)

Helena Castañé Simona Iftimie Gerard Baiges‐Gayà Elisabet Rodríguez‐Tomàs Andrea Jiménez-Franco

ABSTRACT Background Lipids are involved in the interaction between viral infection and the host metabolic and immunological response. Several studies comparing the lipidome of COVID-19-positive hospitalized patients vs . healthy subjects have already been reported. It is largely unknown, however, whether these differences are specific to this disease. The present study compared the lipidomic signature of hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients with that of healthy subjects, and with COVID-19-negative patients hospitalized for other infectious/inflammatory diseases. Potential COVID-19 biomarkers were identified. Methods We analyzed the lipidomic signature of 126 COVID-19-positive patients, 45 COVID-19-negative patients hospitalized with other infectious/inflammatory diseases and 50 healthy volunteers. Results were interpreted by machine learning. Results We identified acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, arachidonic acid and oxylipins as the most altered species in COVID-19-positive patients compared to healthy volunteers. However, we found similar alterations in COVID-19-negative patients. By contrast, we identified lysophosphatidylcholine 22:6-sn2, phosphatidylcholine 36:1 and secondary bile acids as the parameters that had the greatest capacity to discriminate between COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients. Conclusion This study shows that COVID-19 infection shares many lipid alterations with other infectious/inflammatory diseases, but differentiating them from the healthy population. Also, we identified some lipid species the alterations of which distinguish COVID-19-positive from Covid-19-negative patients. Our results highlight the value of integrating lipidomics with machine learning algorithms to explore the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and, consequently, improve clinical decision making.

Lipidome

10.1101/2021.12.14.21267764

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Measurement of Plasma Galectin-3 Concentrations in Patients with Catheter Infections: A Post Hoc Retrospective Cohort Study

Diagnostics (2022)

Simona Iftimie Anna Hernández‐Aguilera Ana F. López‐Azcona Helena Castañé Elisabet Rodríguez‐Tomàs

Catheter-related infections (CRIs) include catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), and they are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The diagnosis of a CRI is made difficult by its non-specific symptoms. We aimed to investigate the factors influencing the plasma concentration of galectin-3 in catheter-bearing patients and to explore its potential usefulness as an index for CRIs. Circulating the concentrations of galectin-3, we measured the chemokine (C-C) motif ligand 2, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein in 110 patients with a central catheter, in 165 patients with a urinary catheter, and in 72 control subjects. Catheter-bearing patients had higher concentrations (p < 0.001) of galectin-3 than the control group [central catheter: 19.1 (14.0−23.4) µg/L; urinary catheter: 17.1 (12.7−25.4) µg/L; control group: 6.1 (5.0−8.7) µg/L]. We identified chronic kidney disease as an independent determinant of galectin-3 concentrations in patients with a central catheter, and serum creatinine, cardiovascular disease, and number of days that the catheter was indwelling were identified as determinants in urinary catheter patients. We found that measuring galectin-3 concentrations in urinary catheter patients with a CRI was more accurate for diagnosis than the other parameters. We conclude that the measurement of galectin-3 concentration may be useful for assessing the inflammatory status of catheter-bearing patients and may contribute to the diagnosis of CRIs in those with a urinary catheter.

Procalcitonin

10.3390/diagnostics12102418

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Factors influencing plasma galectin-3 concentrations in catheter-bearing hospitalized patients

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2021)

Simona Iftimie Anna Hernández‐Aguilera Ana F. López‐Azcona Helena Castañé Elisabet Rodríguez‐Tomàs

ABSTRACT Introduction Catheters are an integral part of modern medicine although their use is not without complications. Catheter-related infection triggers a strong inflammatory reaction and has been associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The clinical diagnosis of catheter-related infection is made difficult by non-specific symptoms. Investigating the alterations in biochemical parameters related to infectious and inflammatory processes in these patients constitute an active line of research. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing the plasma concentration of galectin-3 in catheter-bearing patients and to explore its potential usefulness as an index for catheter-related infections. Methods Circulating concentrations of galectin-3, chemokine (C-C) motif ligand 2, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were measured in 110 patients with a central venous catheter, 165 patients with a urinary catheter, and 72 control subjects. Results Catheter-bearing patients had significantly higher concentrations of galectin-3 and the other markers than the control group. We identified chronic kidney disease as an independent determinant of plasma galectin-3 concentrations in patients with a central catheter, and serum creatinine concentration, cardiovascular disease and the number of days the catheter was indwelling as determinants in urinary catheter patients. We also found that measuring galectin-3 in urinary catheter patients with a catheter-related infection was more accurate for diagnosis than the other parameters. At galectin-3 = 15 ng/mL, sensitivity was 90%. Conclusion We conclude that measurement of galectin-3 concentration may be useful for assessing the inflammatory status of catheter-bearing patients and may contribute to the diagnosis of catheter-related infection in those with a urinary catheter.

Procalcitonin

Galectin-3

10.1101/2021.06.04.21258341

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Citations (0)

Differential Analysis of Lipoprotein and Glycoprotein Profiles in Bacterial Infections and Covid-19 Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Machine Learning

Simona Iftimie Núria Amigó Neus Martínez-Micaelo Ana F. López‐Azcona Cristian Martínez-Navidad

Download This Paper Open PDF in Browser Add Paper to My Library Share: Permalink Using these links will ensure access to this page indefinitely Copy URL Copy DOI

10.2139/ssrn.4734129

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First and second waves of coronavirus disease-19: A comparative study in hospitalized patients in Reus, Spain

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2020)

Simona Iftimie Ana F. López‐Azcona Immaculada Vallverdú Salvador Hernández-Flix Gabriel de Febrer

Abstract Many countries have seen a two-wave pattern in reported cases of coronavirus disease-19 during the 2020 pandemic, with a first wave during spring followed by the current second wave in late summer and autumn. Empirical data show that the characteristics of the effects of the virus do vary between the two periods. Differences in age range and severity of the disease have been reported, although the comparative characteristics of the two waves still remain largely unknown. Those characteristics are compared in this study using data from two equal periods of 3 and a half months. The first period, between 15 th March and 30 th June, corresponding to the entire first wave, and the second, between 1 st July and 15 th October, corresponding to part of the second wave, still present at the time of writing this article. Two hundred and four patients were hospitalized during the first period, and 264 during the second period. Patients in the second wave were younger and the duration of hospitalization and case fatality rate were lower than those in the first wave. In the second wave, there were more children, and pregnant and post-partum women. The most frequent signs and symptoms in both waves were fever, dyspnea, pneumonia, and cough, and the most relevant comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic neurological diseases. Patients from the second wave more frequently presented renal and gastrointestinal symptoms, were more often treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation and corticoids, and less often with invasive mechanical ventilation, conventional oxygen therapy and anticoagulants. Several differences in mortality risk factors were also observed. These results might help to understand the characteristics of the second wave and the behaviour and danger of SARS-CoV-2 in the Mediterranean area and in Western Europe. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Case fatality rate

Pandemic

10.1101/2020.12.10.20246959

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Citations (120)

Retrospective analysis of vaccination status and predominant viral variants in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Reus, Spain

Authorea (Authorea) (2023)

Jordi Camps Simona Iftimie Ana F. López‐Azcona Maria José Lozano‐Olmo Àngels Naval-Ferrando

SARS-CoV-2 infection in already-vaccinated individuals is still possible and may require hospitalization. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical evolution of patients with COVID-19 admitted in a public hospital. The outcomes were assessed in relation to the predominant viral variant and the vaccination status. This retrospective study was performed on 1,295 COVID-19-positive patients who attended a 352-bed university hospital between 2021 and 2022. Clinical variables and vaccination status were recorded. Of the patients, 799 had not been vaccinated (NV, 61.7%), 449 were partially vaccinated (PV, 34.7%) and 47 were completely vaccinated (CV, 3.6%). The mean age of the CV patients was significantly higher than that of PV and NV. Also, they had higher percentages of chronic diseases. The outcomes depended on age but not on vaccination status. There were 209 patients admitted during the Omicron-infection period, from which 70 (33.5%) were NV, 135 (64.6%) PV, and 4 (1.9%) CV. In conclusion: Correct vaccination greatly reduces the risk of acquiring severe COVID-19. Partial vaccination does not guarantee protection of the population. This highlights the need for continuous vaccination promotion with all recommended doses, while investigating alternative treatments for those patients who do not respond to the vaccines.

10.22541/au.167645164.45674379/v1

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Differential features of the fifth wave of COVID-19 associated with vaccination and the Delta variant in a reference hospital in Catalonia, Spain

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2021)

Simona Iftimie Ana F. López‐Azcona Maria José Lozano‐Olmo Anna Hernández‐Aguilera Salvador Sarrà-Moretó

ABSTRACT Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain has suffered five waves of infection, the latter being related to the expansion of the Delta variant and with a high incidence. A vaccination campaign began in December 2020 and by the end of the fifth wave 77.3% of people had been fully vaccinated. Understanding the impact of these new characteristics on COVID-19 is essential for public health strategies. Our objective was to ascertain any differences in the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients during that period compared to previous waves. We found that patients in the fifth wave were considerably younger than before and the mortality rate fell from 22.5 to 2.0%. Admissions to the Intensive Care Unit decreased from 10 to 2%. Patients in the fifth wave had fewer comorbidities, and the age of the patients who died was higher than those who survived. Our results show a marked improvement in patient outcomes in the fifth wave, suggesting success of the vaccination campaign despite the explosion in cases due to the Delta variant.

Pandemic

Third wave

10.1101/2021.10.14.21264933

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Citations (5)

Differential analysis of lipoprotein and glycoprotein profiles in bacterial infections and COVID-19 using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and machine learning

Heliyon (2024)

Simona Iftimie Núria Amigó Neus Martínez-Micaelo Ana F. López‐Azcona Cristian Martínez-Navidad

10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37115

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Characteristics of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in a reference hospital in Spain

Scientific Reports (2022)

Simona Iftimie Ana F. López‐Azcona Maria José Lozano‐Olmo Anna Hernández‐Aguilera Salvador Sarrà-Moretó

Abstract Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and until September 2021, Spain suffered five waves of infection, the latter being related to the expansion of the Delta variant and with a high incidence. A vaccination campaign began in December 2020 and by the end of the fifth wave 77.3% of people had been fully vaccinated. Examining the changing dynamics of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on outcomes among those hospitalized is essential. Our objective was to ascertain any differences in the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients during that period compared to previous waves. We prospectively enrolled 200 consecutively admitted hospital patients from each wave and collected their clinical and demographic data from the medical records, including symptoms, comorbidities, deaths and whether they needed to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit to receive assisted ventilation. We found that patients in the fifth wave were considerably younger than before, and the mortality rate fell from 22.5 to 2.0%. Admissions to the Intensive Care Unit decreased from 10 to 2%. Patients in the fifth wave had fewer comorbidities, and the age of the patients who died was higher than those who survived. Our results show a marked improvement in patient outcomes in the fifth wave, suggesting success of the vaccination campaign despite the explosion in cases due to the Delta variant.

Pandemic

Medical record

10.1038/s41598-022-22145-9

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Citations (17)