ABSTRACT
Resumen: SARS-CoV-2 es un virus de alta estabilidad ambiental. Es principalmente un patógeno respiratorio que también afecta el tracto gastrointestinal. El receptor ACE2 es el principal receptor de SARS- CoV-2, hay evidencia de su elevada presencia en intestino, colon y colangiocitos; igualmente se en cuentra expresado en hepatocitos pero en menor proporción. SARS-CoV-2 tiene un tropismo gas trointestinal que explica los síntomas digestivos y la diseminación viral en deposiciones. Las caracte rísticas de SARS-CoV-2 incluyen a la proteína S (Spike o Espícula) que se une de forma muy estable al receptor ACE2. La infección por SARS-CoV-2 produce disbiosis y alteraciones en el eje pulmón- intestino. A nivel intestinal y hepático produce una respuesta Linfocitos T evidente y una respuesta de citocinas que producirían daño intestinal inflamatorio. Las manifestaciones a nivel intestinal en orden de frecuencia son pérdida de apetito, diarrea, náuseas, vómitos y dolor abdominal. Éste último podría ser un marcador de gravedad. En niños la diarrea es habitualmente leve y autolimitada. A nivel hepático la hipertransaminasemia ocurre en 40-60% de los pacientes graves. SARS-CoV-2 puede per manecer en deposiciones un tiempo más prolongado que en secreciones respiratorias, este hallazgo influiría en la diseminación de enfermedad. En esta revisión se destaca la importancia de efectuar un reconocimiento precoz de las manifestaciones gastrointestinales y hepáticas, aumentar el índice de sospecha, efectuar un diagnóstico oportuno y reconocer eventuales complicaciones de la enferme dad. La potencial transmisión fecal oral puede influir en la diseminación de enfermedad. Reconocer este hallazgo es importante para definir aislamiento.
Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 is a high environmental stable virus. It is predominantly a respiratory pathogen that also affects the gastrointestinal tract. The ACE 2 receptor is the main receptor of SARS-CoV-2, with evidence of its high presence in the intestine, colon and cholangiocytes, and, in smaller proportion, in hepatocytes. SARS-CoV-2 has a gastrointestinal tropism that explains digestive symptoms and viral spread in stools. The characteristics of this virus include the S (Spike) protein that binds very stably to the ACE-2 receptor and, at the same time, SARS-CoV-2 produces dysbiosis and alterations in the gut-lung axis. It produces a clear T-cell response and a cytokines storm in the intestine and liver that would produce inflammatory bowel damage. Intestinal manifestations by order of frequency are loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain, where the latter could be a severity marker. In children, diarrhea is the most frequent symptom, usually mild and self-limiting. In the liver, hypertransaminasemia occurs in severe patients ranging from 40 to 60%. SARS-CoV-2 can re main in stools longer than in respiratory secretions, which would influence the spread of disease. This article highlights the importance of an early diagnosis of gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations, increase the index of suspicion, make a timely diagnosis, and recognize eventual complications of the disease. The potential oral-fecal route of transmission may influence the disease spread. Recognizing this finding is important to define isolation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Pneumonia, Viral/complications , Coronavirus Infections/complications , Gastrointestinal Diseases/virology , Liver Diseases/virology , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Cytokines/metabolism , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Gastrointestinal Diseases/diagnosis , Gastrointestinal Diseases/physiopathology , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Liver Diseases/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Chronic Abdominal Pain (CAP) in children is a common cause to seek medical care. This paper summarizes current physiological and biochemical concepts that help in understanding the symptomatology. A review of the main etiological causes connected to CAP is offered, as well as a systematic process to evaluate and diagnose each. Recommendations for management and referral are provided.
El dolor abdominal crónico en niños es una causa común de consulta médica. El presente trabajo resume los conceptos fisiológicos y bioquímicos actuales que apuntan hacia el cabal entendimiento de la sintomatología. En este artículo se presenta una revisión de las principales causales etiológicas asociadas al dolor abdominal crónico, como asimismo un proceso sistemático para evaluar y diagnosticar cada caso. Igualmente, se proporcionan recomendaciones para su manejo y derivación a especialista.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Abdominal Pain/diagnosis , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Chronic Disease , Diagnosis, Differential , Dyspepsia/complications , Abdominal Pain/classification , Abdominal Pain/physiopathology , Abdominal Pain/therapy , Gastrointestinal Diseases/complications , Helicobacter Infections/complications , Signs and Symptoms , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complicationsABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of food allergy increased worldwide in the last century. In Chile we became aware of this increase 10-15 years ago, after an epidemiological transition on health. Aim : To assess the most frequent clinical presentations of food allergy, results of circulating immunologlobulins (total IgE, specific IgE and IgG4 against cow's milk) and usefulness of a standardized challenge test. Patients and methods : Cross sectional assessment of 49 patients with cow's milk allergy (9 months - 8 years of age), diagnosed at INTA, University of Chile between 1991-2001. Results: All patients had cow's milk allergy and 37 percent of them were additionally intolerant to other allergens. Seventy eight percent had digestive symptoms and 84 percent had non digestive symptoms. The cause of consultation was a non-digestive manifestation in 16 percent of cases. At least one of the immunoglobulins (total IgE total, specific IgE or IgG4) was over the cut off point in 92 percent of patients. Between 1990-1995 six patients were diagnosed with cow's milk allergy and malabsorption syndrome. Suppression of the specific allergen resulted in disappearance of symptoms in 78 percent of patients; when a second dietary modification was necessary 87 percent of cases showed a good response. Thirty five of 56 challenge tests performed were done at home, by relatives, in a non-controlled fashion. All of them were aimed to determine the desensitization of the child. Conclusions: Digestive and non-digestive manifestations were observed in these patients with food allergy. Although not designed to assess laboratory tests, results show that serum immunoglobulin determinations were helpful in guiding diagnosis. Mothers and relatives should be educated to accept diagnostic challenges and avoid carrying out non-controlled challenges