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Rubilar, Paola

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Rubilar

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Paola

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  • Publication
    Seroprevalence and estimation of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in older adults residing in Long-term Care Facilities in Chile
    (2022) Rubilar, Paola; Hirmas Adauy, Macarena; Matute, María Isabel; Browne, Jorge; Little, Cedric; Ruz, Gonzalo; Aguilera, Ximena; Avila, Carlos; Vial, Pablo; Gutknecht Mackenzie, Tania
    Introduction Older adults are at a higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. This vulnera bility increases in those who live in long-term care facilities due to overcrowding, greater physical dependence, and contact with health workers. Evidence on the impact of the pan demic on these establishments in low- and middle-income countries has been scant. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in older people residing in long-term care facilities and estimate the impact of infection after the first wave of the pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional design with 2099 residents in three regions of Chile was carried out be tween September and November 2020. Measurement of antibodies was performed with a rapid test. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated with seropositive residents, those who had a history of positive polymerase chain reaction tests, and those who died from COVID-19. Bivariate analysis with the region, sex, age, history of COVID-19, physical dependence, and serological results were performed. In addition, we performed a correla tion analysis between the seroprevalence of the centers by the municipality and the rate of confirmed cases. Results The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the three regions was 14.7% (95% confi dence interval: 13.2 to 16.3%), the infection impact was 46.4%, and the fatality rate was 19.6%. A significant correlation was found between the seroprevalence of older adults re siding in long-term care facilities and the cumulative incidence by municipalities. Conclusions The seroprevalence of older adults residing in long-term care facilities was higher than the general population. The high impact of infection among this population at the end of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is similar to other countries. The centers' environ ment is directly related to COVID-19 infection. Morbidity and mortality monitoring sys tems should be implemented promptly to establish prevention and control measur
  • Publication
    Factors influencing neutralizing antibody response to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Omicron variant in a high vaccination coverage country, a population-based study
    (2023) Hormazabal, Juan; Nuñez-Franz, Loreto; Rubilar, Paola; Apablaza, Mauricio; Vial Cox, María Cecilia; Cortes Salinas, Lina Jimena; González, Natalia; Vial, Pablo; Said, Macarena; Gonzalez Wiedmaier, Claudia; Olivares, Kathya; Aguilera, Ximena; Ramírez-Santana, Muriel
    The study compared immunity to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus (Wuhan) and the Omicron variant using neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), that provide a good approximation of protective immunity. The results might help determine immunization strategies. Design and methods: Unlike previous studies, we analyzed NAbs in a random sample of 110 IgG positive sera from individuals who participated in a population-based seroprevalence transversal study, carried out in May 2022 in two Chilean cities, a country with high vaccination coverage. Results: Our findings indicate that 98.2% of individuals had NAbs against Wuhan, 65.5% against Omicron, and 32.7% tested positive for Wuhan but not Omicron. Factors influencing protective immunity included a prior natural infection and the number of vaccines received. NAbs titers against the original virus were high, demonstrating vaccine effectiveness in the population. However, the level of antibodies decreased when measuring NAbs against Omicron, particularly among older individuals, indicating a decline in vaccine protection. Previous COVID-19 episodes acted as a natural booster, increasing NAbs titers against both virus strains. Conclusions: Protective immunity against the original Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 virus is reduced when compared to Omicron variant. Updating vaccine to target emerging variants and continued monitoring of effectiveness at the population level are necessary.