arvajal R, Guananga-Álvarez D, Tur C, Esperalba J, Rodríguez-Barranco M, Rando-Segura A, Borras-Bermejo B, Cobo-Calvo A, Carbonell-Mirabent P, Zules-Oña R, Rodrigo-Pendas JA, Martínez-Gómez X, Montalban X, Tintore M, Otero-Romero S
Effect of the number of vaccine doses before starting anti-CD20 therapy on seroprotection rates against hepatitis B virus in people with MS
Neurology. 2025 Feb 11;104(3):e210281.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000210281
IF: 8.4
RESEARCH GROUPS
Epidemiology and Public Health
25
Number of publications
52.00
%
% Q1
20.00
%
% D1
60.00
%
% Leadership
53.33
%
% Female Leadership
3.18
CROWN (2021-2025)
20.56
%
HCP10% (2021-2025)
80.00
%
% Open access
32.00
%
% International Collaboration
4
Highly cited papers / HCP 1% (2021-2025)
3
Publications in high-IF journals with high Altmetric scores
1
Number of Ongoing Projectes (total)
0
International ongoing projects
0
Number of New projects (total)
0
International new projects
2
Number of Active clinical Trials
0
Number of New Clinical Trials
0
Number of Theses
Our group advanced key research lines focused on immunization strategies in high-risk populations. We demonstrated the importance of early hepatitis B vaccination before anti-CD20 therapy in multiple sclerosis, and showed that while anti-CD20 agents reduce humoral response to recombinant varicella zoster vaccine, cellular immunity remains largely preserved, with strong correlations between total and glycoprotein E antibodies. Beyond MS, we provided real-world evidence on the effectiveness of a single dose of MVA-BN vaccine against mpox during the 2022–2023 outbreak, and identified key risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections, underscoring the need for timely boosters and prioritization of vulnerable groups. A new project linked to the HUVH Cancer Registry was launched to assess socioeconomic disparities in cancer care. Finally, our work in healthcare-associated infections was recognized at SEMPSPGS 2025 with the Best Master’s Thesis Award.
CORE/MISSIONS
- Innovative & Advanced Therapies
- Transplant & Immunomodulation
PROGRAMS
TEAM
Group Leader
Susana Otero Romero
Principal Investigator (PI)
Susana Otero Romero
Researchers
Xavier Martínez Gómez, Oleguer Parés Badell, Jose Ángel Rodrigo Pendás, Lluis Armadans Gil, Javier Molero Calafell, Arnau Peñalver Piñol, Martí Vivet Escale
PhD Students
Blanca Borrás Bermejo, Ricardo Zules Oña
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Escobar-Ziede P, Borras-Bermejo B, Pinós-Tella L, Vivet-Escalé M, Peñalver-Piñol A, Martinez J, Rodrigo-Pendás JÁ, García-Pérez J, Álvarez-López P, Nadal-Baron P, Antón A, Parés-Badell O
Real-world effectiveness of MBA-VN vaccine against mpox, a test-negative case-control study
Vaccine. 2025 Jun 20;59:127295
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127295
IF: 4.5
Tejada-Panduro G, Pinós-Tella L, Otero-Romero S, Borras-Bermejo B, Carbones I, Antón A, Andrés C, Parés-Badell O
Risck factors of COVID-19 breakthrough infection: a case-control test-negative design study
BMC Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 17;25(1):1346
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-11773-x
IF: 3.4
Cárdenas-Robledo S, Otero-Romero S, García JD, López N, Carbonell-Mirabent P, Rodríguez M, Guío-Sánchez C, Carvajal R, Passarell-Bacradit MA, Sastre-Garriga J, Montalban X, Tintoré M
Clusters of Comorbidities in Multiple Sclerosis and Their Influence on Healthcare Resource Usage
Eur J Neurol. 2025 Nov;32(11):e70386. doi: 10.1111/ene.70386
DOI: 10.1111/ene.70386
IF: 3.9
Tur C, Carbonell-Mirabent P, Otero-Romero S, Cobo-Calvo A, Arévalo MJ, Ariño H, Arrambide G, Auger C, Carvajal R, Castilló J, Comabella M, Galán I, Midaglia L, Nos C, Pappolla A, Pareto D, Río J, Rodríguez-Acevedo B, Saez de Gordoa E, Vidal-Jordana A, Zabalza A, Sastre-Garriga J, Rovira A, Montalban X, Tintoré M
The Barcelona baseline risk score to predict long-term prognosis after a first demyelinating event: a prospective observational study
Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2025 Apr 19:53:101302. doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101302. eCollection 2025 Jun
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101302
IF: 13.6
SELECTED PROJECTS
Characterization of infectious diseases and their impact in patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the era of high efficacy immunotherapeutic drugs (PI23/01654)
Principal Investigator: Susana Otero Romero
Agency: Instituto de Salut Carlos III
Funding: 115,000 €
Period: 2023-2026
Study of brand-specific COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19 disease in Europe
Principal Investigator: Susana Otero Romero
Agency: id.DRIVE consortium
Funding: 155.595,52 euros
Period: 2021-2026
Surveillance study of respiratory pathogens in adults hospitalised for SARI across Europe
Principal Investigator: Susana Otero Romero
Agency: id.DRIVE consortium
Funding: 155.595,52 euros
Period: 2024-2026
Immune response to the recombinant varicella zoster virus vaccine in multiple sclerosis patients
Principal Investigator: Susana Otero Romero
Agency: GSK unrestricted grant
Funding: 7,500 euros (2024)
Period: 2024-ongoing
Immune response to the pneumococcal vaccination in multiple sclerosis patients
Principal Investigator: Susana Otero Romero
Agency: Instituto de Salut Carlos III
Funding: 9,398.70 euros (2022-2024)
Period: 2022-ongoing
PATENTS
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
World Lupus Day event
Place: Sala d'actes de l'Edifici Central del VHIR (Barcelona)
Date: 08/05/2025
Brief: A researcher from our group participated in the event organized by VHIR for World Lupus Day to provide information on vaccination strategies and indications for these patients.
Conference on tobacco and Multiple Sclerosis
Place: Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat)
Date: 19/05/2025
Brief: A researcher from our group participated in a session on the effect of tobacco on the health of patients with multiple sclerosis
