Superdiseminadores durante la pandemia del SARS-CoV-2 en Cartagena, Colombia / Super-spreaders during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Cartagena, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: la diseminación de agentes infecciosos en una población puede ocurrir de forma homogénea o heterogénea. El SARS-CoV-2 tiene transmisión heterogénea por los superdiseminadores (SD, individuos con ciertas características que transmiten la infección a un 80% de la población expuesta). Objetivos: describir las características de los SD en los primeros casos de la COVID-19 en Cartagena, Colombia. Metodología: estudio de vigilancia epidemiológica realizado entre el 25 de febrero y el 20 de abril del 2020 por el Comité de infecciones de la clínica Gestión Salud y el Departamento Administrativo Distrital de Salud, a casos sospechosos, confirmados por RT-PCR para SARS-CoV-2 y contactos estrechos de casos confirmados de COVID-19. Resultados: en 30 días se confirmaron dos pacientes SD, 21 casos secundarios (10 y 11, cada uno) y dos terciarios. El 1er SD inició síntomas 48 horas después de la exposición, fue hospitalizado al séptimo día de iniciado los síntomas y falleció a las 72 horas de hospitalización. El 2do SD hospitalizado por cetoacidosis diabética, con posterior hallazgo de anosmia y disgeusia, permaneció en UCI un mes. De los casos secundarios, el 9,5% (2/21) fue hospitalizado en UCI, 47% (10/21) en sala general y 42% (9/21) estuvo en cuarentena. El 61% (14/23) de los contagiados fue personal de la salud. Conclusiones: los SD son importantes en la dinámica de transmisión de infecciones. El no reconocimiento o el diagnóstico errado en un paciente con infección por SARS-CoV-2, junto con la transferencia interhospitalaria, son las principales causas de la generación de un número desproporcionado de casos secundarios.

Summary Introduction: The dissemination of infectious agents in a population can occur both in a homogeneous or heterogeneous way. SARS-CoV-2 has heterogeneous transmission by superspreaders (SS) (people with certain characteristics that transmit the infection to 80% of the exposed population). Objective: To describe the characteristics of SS in the first cases of COVID-19 in Cartagena, Colombia. Methodology: Epidemiological surveillance study carried out in Cartagena from February 25 to April 20, 2020, by the infection committee of Clínica Gestión Salud and the administrative department of health, on suspected cases, confirmed by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2, and close contacts of those confirmed cases for coronavirus infection. Results: In 30 days, two SS patients were confirmed, 21 secondary cases (10 and 11, each one), and two tertiary cases. The 1st SS began symptoms 48 hours after exposure, he was hospitalized on the 7th day after symptoms began and died 72 hours after hospitalization. The 2nd SS hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis, with subsequent finding of anosmia and dysgeusia, remained in the ICU one month. Of the secondary cases, 9.5% (2/21) were hospitalized in the ICU, 47% (10/21) in the general ward and 42% (9/21) were quarantined. Sixty one percent (14/23) of those infected were from health personnel Conclusions: SS are important in the dynamics of transmission infectious diseases. Failure to identify or misdiagnosis a patient with COVID-19, together with hospital transfer, are the main causes of the generation of a disproportionate number of secondary cases.

Identification of the nasopharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis by 16S rRNA Gene sequencing in asymptomatic adolescents and young adults in Cartagena, Colombia (2019-2020)

Abstract The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a strictly human pathogen, can cause meningitis, meningococcemia, sepsis, and death; repeatedly it scause outbreaks around the world. The frequency of asymptomatic carriage is often high in adolescents and young adults, increasing the invasive meningococcal disease risk and likelihood of transmission. However, detailed analyses of meningococcal carriage in this population in Colombia, particularly in coastal areas, are lacking. In this study, the prevalence and characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis carriage were evaluated in asymptomatic adolescents and young adults (11-25 years old) in Cartagena, Colombia. Oropharynx samples were collected from participants between August and December 2019. The phenotypic identification of bacteria was performed by conventional methods and biochemical testing. Molecular identification to the species level was performed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In total, 12 of 648 samples were positive for Neisseria meningitidis by 16S rRNA sequencing, indicating a prevalence of 1.9%. Isolates were classified into four invasive serogroups (A, B, C, and W) by a comparative sequence analysis of the ribosomal gene. Despite the occurrence of meningococcal disease in Cartagena city in the last several years, the frequency of oropharyngeal carriage in adolescents and young adults was low. Serogroup A had not been previously reported in nasopharyngeal samples in Colombia. This is the first report of Neisseria meningitidis on the Colombian Caribbean coast based on 16S rRNA sequencing and is expected to guide the development of vaccination and follow-up strategies.

Costs of acute otitis media in children in a city of the Colombian Caribbean coast / Costos de la otitis media aguda en niños de una ciudad de la costa caribe colombiana

Abstract Introduction: Acute otitis media is the main cause of consultation, antibiotic use, and ambulatory surgery in developed countries; besides, it is associated with an important economic burden. However, non-medical indirect costs of acute otitis media, which are relevant in this pathology, have been underestimated. Objective: To estimate the costs of acute otitis media in pediatric patients in Cartagena, Colombia. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective study of micro-costing between 2014 and 2015. The direct and indirect costs of acute otitis media were determined through forms applied to parents or caregivers. Loss of productivity was estimated based on the monthly legal minimum wage of 2014 (COP $616.000) (USD $308). Results: A total of 62 episodes of acute otitis media occurred. The total economic costs attributed per episode was COP $358,954 (standard deviation: SD ± COP $254,903, i.e., USD $179). The total economic burden was COP $22,503,141 (USD $11,250), the indirect costs per episode were COP $101,402 (USD $51), and the average care time spent by parents was 3.7 days. Conclusion: The estimated costs of acute otitis media in this study were lower than the costs estimated in a review of high-income countries and similar to those of low-income countries such as Nigeria. Information on total costs (direct and indirect) of acute otitis media is necessary for public health decision-making and for full cost-effectiveness assessments.

Resumen Introducción. La otitis media aguda es la principal causa de consultas médicas, de uso de antibióticos y de cirugías ambulatorias en los países desarrollados. Está asociada con una significativa carga económica, pero sus costos indirectos no médicos, los cuales son relevantes en esta enfermedad, se han subestimado. Objetivo. Estimar los costos de la otitis media aguda en pacientes pediátricos en Cartagena, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Se hizo un estudio prospectivo de microcosteo entre el 2014 y el 2015. Se determinaron los costos directos e indirectos de la otitis media aguda mediante encuestas a los padres o cuidadores. La pérdida de productividad se estimó con base en el salario mínimo legal vigente mensual del 2014(COP$616.000) (USD$308). Resultados. Se presentaron 62 episodios de otitis media aguda. Los costos económicos totales por episodio fueron de COP $358.954 (desviación estándar, DE: ± $254.903) (USD $179). La carga económica total fue de COP $22'503.141 (USD $11.250), los costos indirectos por episodio fueron de COP $101.402 (USD $51) y el tiempo promedio empleado por los padres en el cuidado fue de 3,7 días. Conclusiones. Los costos estimados de la otitis media aguda en el presente estudio fueron menores a los estimados en países con ingresos altos y similares a los de países con ingresos bajos como Nigeria, según una revisión bibliográfica. La información sobre los costos totales directos e indirectos de la otitis es necesaria para la adopción de decisiones en salud pública y para hacer evaluaciones económicas completas de costo-efectividad.

Severity factors of Acquired Pneumonia Community in a children's hospital in the Colombian Caribbean / Factores de severidad de Neumonía Adquirida en la Comunidad en un hospital infantil del Caribe colombiano

Abstract Objective: To identify predisposing factors to developing severe pneumonia in hospitalized children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia hospitalized in Cartagena's Napoleón Franco Pareja children's Hospital. Methods: Analytical observational cross-sectional study performed in patients under 18 years. Data from surveys and records were analyzed. Univariate and bivariate analysis was performed. The variables are grouped according to the presence or absence of complications and analyzed by jisquare test. We calculated OR of each of the dummy variables to evaluate their association with complications. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results: 301 patients with severe pneumonia were included. Riskfactors related to severity: age less than 3 months (OR: 4.86; CI 95%: 1,5 -14.3; p = 0.004); exclusive breastfeeding for less than 6 months (CI:95% 7,7-1,4; p = 0.0019); heart disease (OR: 5.37; CI 95%: 1,28-19,88, p = 0.010); prematurity (OR: 1.62, CI 95%: 0.93- 6.69, p = 0.034); Incomplete vaccination (OR: 2.32; CI: 95% 1.07 - 5.10; p = 0.015). Conclusions: It was found increased severity risk, statistically significant, in patients less than 6 months breastfeeding, prematurity, heart disease, incomplete vaccination scheme, and positive blood culture with Sp. pneumonia

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar factores predisponentes a desarrollar neumonía severa en niños hospitalizados con diagnóstico de NAC en el Hospital Infantil Napoleón Franco Pareja de Cartagena Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal analítico en pacientes menores de 18 años hospitalizados con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Se analizaron datos obtenidos de encuestas y registros clínicos. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo univariado y bivariado. Las variables se agruparon según la presencia o no de complicación y se analizaron a través de la prueba ji cuadrado. Se realizó el cálculo de OR de cada una de las variables dicotómicas para evaluar su asociación a complicaciones. Una P<0,05 fue considerada como estadísticamente significativa para todos los análisis. Resultados: Se incluyeron 301 pacientes con neumonía grave. Los factores de riesgo más relacionados con severidad fueron: edad menor de 3 meses (OR: 4,86; IC 95%: 1,5-14,3; p 0,004); la lactancia materna exclusiva menor a 6 meses (IC 95%: 1,4- 7,7; p 0,0019); cardiopatía (OR: 5,37; IC 95%: 1,28-19,88; p: 0,010); prematurez (OR: 1,62; IC: 0,93-6,69; p: 0,034); esquema incompleto de vacunación (OR: 2,32; IC 95%: 1,07-5,10: p: 0,015). Conclusiones: Se encontró aumento de riesgo de severidad en pacientes con lactancia materna menor de 6 meses, prematurez, cardiopatía, esquema de vacunación incompleto, y hemocultivo con Sp. Neumoniae positivo.

Endocarditis infecciosa derecha como primera manifestación de leucemia linfoblástica aguda en niños / Right-sided infective endocarditis as a first manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children

Resumen Introducción: La endocarditis infecciosa del lado derecho representa el 5 al 10% de los casos de endocarditis infecciosa en adultos, menos frecuente en niños. Serie de casos: Caso 1: Niña de 12 años de edad con fiebre y antecedentes de trauma en cadera izquierda por caída. Desarrolló dificultad respiratoria, choque, neumonía bilateral y celulitis en cadera izquierda. Los hemocultivos fueron positivos para Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM), en tanto que el ecocardiograma mostró vegetación en la válvula tricúspide. Por bicitopenia continua se le realizó aspiración de médula ósea diagnosticándose leucemia linfocítica aguda. Recibió vancomicina durante seis semanas y posteriormente inició quimioterapia. Caso 2: Niña de 5 años de edad, con fiebre, dificultad respiratoria, reacción leucemoide y bicitopenia, desarrolló choque con neumonía bilateral y hepatoesplenomegalia, hemocultivos positivos para SARM. El ecocardiograma mostró vegetación en válvula tricúspide y se realizó aspiración de médula ósea diagnosticándose leucemia linfocítica aguda; falleció. Conclusión: Se reporta la concomitancia de endocarditis infecciosa derecha por SARM en pacientes con leucemia linfocítica aguda, patología con baja incidencia descrita.

Abstract Introduction: Right-sided infective endocarditis, represents from 5% to 10% of infective endocarditis in adults, which is less frequent in children. Case Series: Case 1: A 12 year-old girl with fever and a history a left hip injury due to a fall. She developed breathing difficulties, shock, bilateral pneumonia, and cellulitis in the left hip. The blood cultures were positive for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as such that the echocardiogram showed growth in the tricuspid valve. Due to persistent bicytopenia, a bone marrow aspirate was performed, with acute lymphocytic leukaemia being diagnosed. She received vancomycin for six weeks and chemotherapy was subsequently started. Case 2: A 5 year-old girl, with fever, breathing difficulties, a leukemoid reaction, and bicytopenia, developed shock with bilateral pneumonia, and hepato-splenomegaly, as well as positive blood cultures for MRSA. The echocardiogram showed growth in the tricuspid valve, and the bone marrow aspirate performed helped diagnose an acute lymphocytic leukaemia. The patient died. Conclusion: Right-sided infective endocarditis, concomitant with MRSA, is reported in patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia, a disease with a low reported incidence.

Guías para la inmunización del adolescente y adulto en Colombia. Documento de actualización, 2016 / Guidelines for the immunization of adolescents and adults living in Colombia. Update document, 2016

Este documento fue preparado por un grupo multidisciplinario de expertos seleccionados por la Asociación Colombiana de Infectología (ACIN) para poner al día las recomendaciones previas dadas por nuestro grupo en cuanto a la inmunización del adolescente, de la población adulta y de aquellos mayores de 60 años de edad. Para este último grupo, hemos decidido, como lo han hecho en otros países, el inmunizar a esta edad (y no después), debido a la carga de enfermedad incrementada por afecciones respiratorias y otros factores propios para América Latina y las condiciones socioeconómicas de nuestro país. Esta edición reescribe ciertos párrafos y actualiza en parte las recomendaciones hechas anteriormente y publicadas en Infectio en mayo de 2012. Las guías están orientadas al uso por aquellos que cuidan de estos pacientes y hacemos énfasis en el anciano, el inmunocomprometido y en aquellos que sufren de varias comorbilidades. Aunque en un momento dado el documento pudiera parecer incompleto, la intención deseada fue la de abarcar los recientes cambios en la administración de nuevas vacunas y otros regímenes en dosificación. Se incluye por primera vez el uso de las vacunas de 4 valencias contra la influenza. El uso de la vacuna contra el herpes zóster se discute, y se toma un cuidado especial en cuanto a la redacción del "cuándo y por qué" de la vacunación contra Streptococcus pneumoniae. En la administración de esta vacuna, el tiempo de aplicación y la secuencia asociada con la aplicación de la administración de la vacuna polisacárida de 23 valencias puede variar de acuerdo con la edad del paciente,las comorbilidades y en aquellos previamente vacunados con dicha vacuna. Finalmente, exponemos las nuevas recomendaciones de vacunación contra fiebre amarilla y dengue y le damos la bienvenida a la vacuna nonavalente contra el virus humano del papiloma.

This document was prepared by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts who have been selected by the Asociación Colombiana de Infectologia (ACIN) to revise and update previous recommendations (by our group) for the immunization of adolescents and adult population and those older than 60 years of age. For the latter group, we have chosen to move forward, like many others, and immunize them at that age because of the particular burden of disease due to respiratory conditions, and other factors strictly related to Latin America and Colombian socio-economic conditions. This edition replaces in part, updates or ads to previous recommendations published in Infectio, May 2012. The guidelines are intended to assist those caring for these patients, and emphasizes on the elderly, the immunocompromissed and on those who suffer from several co-morbidities.The contents of the guidelines could seem in complete at some point; nevertheless, they were purposefully thought as such to embrace on major changes in new vaccines or new dosin gregimens. It is included for the first time the use of cuadri-valent vaccines against influenza. The use of herpes zoster vaccine is discussed and special care is placed in the phrasing for the reader so he (she) understands the "when and why" of vaccine administration against Streptococcus pneumoniae. With pneumococcal vaccines, timing of administration may vary according to age, co-morbidities and in those previously vaccinated with the 23-polyvalent polysaccharide vaccine. There are new recommendations for the vaccination against yellow fever and dengue and we welcome the new nona-valent vaccine against the human papillomavirus.

Infección por virus del Zika en el embarazo, impacto fetal y neonatal / Zika virus infection in pregnancy, fetal and neonatal impact

Zika virus (ZV) is an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus. The neurotropic profile of this virus is known since 1952. The main finding related to ZV in America is microcephaly. Two hypotheses are tested on its involvement in the central nervous system: its neurotropic feature and the direct effect of ZV on the placenta. Malformations and clinical findings on fetal development comprise congenital Zika syndrome. RT-PCR and serology (IgM) are useful for definitive diagnosis. However, we should keep in mind first that the viremia in pregnant women can stay for a longer period of time, and second, a positive IgM for Zika should be properly interpreted in an endemic area to other flavivirus. It is suggested to be part of TORCHS-Z complex the ZV infection in endemic areas.

El virus del Zika (VZ), arbovirus, es transmitido por Aedes aegypti y A. albopictus. Desde 1952 se conoce su perfil neurotrópico. El principal hallazgo relacionado con la infección en las Américas, es la microcefalia. Dos hipótesis se plantean sobre su afectación en el sistema nervioso central: su característica neurotrópica per se, y el efecto directo del virus sobre la placenta. Las malformaciones y hallazgos clínicos sobre el desarrollo fetal conforman el síndrome de Zika congénito. La reacción de polimerasa en cadena-transcriptasa reversa (RPC-TR) y serología (IgM) son útiles para el diagnóstico definitivo; sin embargo, debe tenerse en cuenta, primero, que la viremia en las mujeres embarazadas puede permanecer por un período más prolongado y segundo, que una IgM positiva para Zika, debe ser adecuadamente interpretada en un medio endémico para otros flavivirus. Se propone a la infección por el VZ, en zonas endémicas, como parte del complejo TORCHS-Z.

Estimating Costs Associated with a Community Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease in a Colombian Caribbean City.

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis), and it can cause meningitis, meningococcaemia outbreaks and epidemics. The disease is fatal in 9-12% of cases and with a death rate of up to 40% among patients with meningococcaemia. The objective of this study was to estimate the costs of a meningococcal outbreak that occurred in a Caribbean city of Colombia. We contacted experts involved in the outbreak and asked them specific questions about the diagnosis and treatment for meningococcal cases during the outbreak. Estimates of costs of the outbreak were also based on extensive review of medical records available during the outbreak. The costs associated with the outbreak were divided into the cost of the disease response phase and the cost of the disease surveillance phase. The costs associated with the outbreak control and surveillance were expressed in US$ (2011) as cost per 1,000 inhabitants. The average age of patients was 4.6 years (SD 3.5); 50% of the cases died; 50% of the cases were reported to have meningitis (3/6); 33% were diagnosed with meningococcaemia and myocarditis (2/6); 50% of the cases had bacteraemia (3/6); 66% of the cases had a culture specimen positive for Neisseria meningitidis; 5 of the 6 cases had RT-PCR positive for N. meningitidis. All N. meningitidis were serogroup B; 50 doses of ceftriaxone were administered as prophylaxis. Vaccine was not available at the time. The costs associated with control of the outbreak were estimated at US$ 0.8 per 1,000 inhabitants, disease surveillance at US$ 4.1 per 1,000 inhabitants, and healthcare costs at US$ 5.1 per 1,000 inhabitants. The costs associated with meningococcal outbreaks are substantial, and the outbreaks should be prevented. The mass chemoprophylaxis implemented helped control the outbreak.