Leticia La Banda
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Leticia La Banda has a total of 9 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Adelina Pellicer
Department of Neonatology, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research-IdIPAZ, Madrid, Spain
1 shared publication - Blanca Bravo-Queipo-De-Llano
Pediatric, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, La Paz University Hospital, La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Paseo de La Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.
1 shared publication - Cristina Calvo
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
1 shared publication - Francisco Pozo
National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
1 shared publication - Inmaculada Casas
Influenza and Respiratory Virus Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology Madrid Spain
1 shared publication - Jorge Atucha
Paediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ Foundation), 28046 Madrid, Spain
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Surveillance of Viral Respiratory Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit—Evolution in the Last 5 Years
Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in very low birthweight infants can be associated with high rates of morbidity. The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a strong impact on viral circulation. The purpose of this study is to report on VRIs during NICU admission in infants below 32 weeks’ gestation and compare data collected between the pre-and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. A prospective surveillance study was conducted at a tertiary NICU between April 2016 and June 2022. The COVID-19 post-pandemic period was established as being from March 2020 onwards. Respiratory virus detection was performed by real-time multiplex PCR assays in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs). A total of 366 infants were enrolled. There were no statistical differences between periods regarding infants’ birth weight, gestational age, gender distribution, or rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Among the 1589 NPA collected during the pre-COVID-19 period, 8.9% were positive, and among the 1147 NPA collected during the post-pandemic period, only 3% were positive (p < 0.005). The type of viruses detected did not differ according to the study period (pre-COVID19 vs. post-COVID-19): rhinovirus (49.5% vs. 37.5%), adenovirus (22.6% vs. 25%), and human coronavirus (12.9% vs. 16.7%). SARS-CoV-2 was only detected in one patient. In conclusion, the viral profile causing VRI during the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era was similar. However, the total number of VRI dropped significantly, most probably due to the global increase in infection prevention measures.
Open AccessSurveillance of Viral Respiratory Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit—Evolution in the Last 5 Years
Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in very low birthweight infants can be associated with high rates of morbidity. The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a strong impact on viral circulation. The purpose of this study is to report on VRIs during NICU admission in infants below 32 weeks’ gestation and compare data collected between the pre-and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. A prospective surveillance study was conducted at a tertiary NICU between April 2016 and June 2022. The COVID-19 post-pandemic period was established as being from March 2020 onwards. Respiratory virus detection was performed by real-time multiplex PCR assays in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs). A total of 366 infants were enrolled. There were no statistical differences between periods regarding infants’ birth weight, gestational age, gender distribution, or rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Among the 1589 NPA collected during the pre-COVID-19 period, 8.9% were positive, and among the 1147 NPA collected during the post-pandemic period, only 3% were positive (p < 0.005). The type of viruses detected did not differ according to the study period (pre-COVID19 vs. post-COVID-19): rhinovirus (49.5% vs. 37.5%), adenovirus (22.6% vs. 25%), and human coronavirus (12.9% vs. 16.7%). SARS-CoV-2 was only detected in one patient. In conclusion, the viral profile causing VRI during the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era was similar. However, the total number of VRI dropped significantly, most probably due to the global increase in infection prevention measures.