Bastidores da prescrição de inibidores de bomba de prótons: uma pesquisa internacional sobre práticas e conhecimentos médicos / Behind the proton pump inhibitor prescription: an international survey on physician practices and knowledge

ABSTRACT Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed worldwide, often resulting in their overuse. Consequently, it is essential to identify the likely causes of this overuse to facilitate their appropriate prescription. Objective: This study aims to assess physician prescribing patterns, their knowledge of PPIs, and factors affecting their knowledge. Methods: An online survey was conducted among Latin American and Spanish physicians, collecting the following data: professional information, patterns of PPI usage, familiarity with published evidence, and the management approach in three hypothetical case-scenarios. Participant knowledge was categorized as sufficient or insufficient based on the results of the case scenarios. Subsequently, subgroup analysis was performed based on physician training level, years in practice, specialty, and time since the last PPI literature review. Results: A total of 371 physicians participated in the survey. Thirty-eight percent frequently prescribe PPIs, primarily for prophylactic purposes (57.9%). Eighty percent were unfamiliar with PPI deprescribing strategies, and 54.4% rarely reviewed the ongoing indication of patients taking a PPI. Sixty-four percent demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the case-scenarios. A significant association was observed between specialty type (medical vs surgical: 69.4% vs 46.8%, P<0.001), the timing of the PPI indication literature review (<5 years vs >5 years: 71.4% vs 58.7%, P=0.010), and sufficient knowledge. Conclusion: While most participants prescribed PPIs regularly and for prophylaxis purposes, the majority were unfamiliar with deprescribing strategies and rarely reviewed ongoing indications. Sufficient knowledge is correlated with recent literature reviews and medical specialty affiliation.

RESUMO Contexto: Os inibidores da bomba de prótons (IBPs) são amplamente prescritos em todo o mundo, muitas vezes resultando em seu uso excessivo. Consequentemente, é essencial identificar as prováveis causas desse uso excessivo para facilitar sua prescrição adequada. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o padrão de prescrição dos médicos, seu conhecimento sobre IBPs e fatores que afetam seu conhecimento. Métodos: Uma pesquisa on-line foi conduzida entre médicos latino-americanos e espanhóis, coletando os seguintes dados: informações profissionais, padrões de uso de IBP, familiaridade com evidências publicadas e abordagem de manejo em três casos-cenários hipotéticos. O conhecimento dos participantes foi categorizado em suficiente ou insuficiente com base nos resultados dos cenários de caso. Posteriormente, a análise de subgrupos foi realizada com base no nível de formação do médico, anos de prática, especialidade e tempo desde a última revisão da literatura dos IBPs. Resultados: Um total de 371 médicos participaram da pesquisa. Trinta e oito por cento prescrevem frequentemente IBP, principalmente para fins profiláticos (57,9%). Oitenta por cento não estavam familiarizados com as estratégias de prescrição de IBP, e 54,4% raramente revisaram a indicação contínua de pacientes em uso de IBP. Sessenta e quatro por cento demonstraram conhecimento suficiente nos cenários-caso. Observou-se associação significativa entre o tipo de especialidade (médica vs cirúrgica: 69,4% vs 46,8%, P<0,001), o momento da revisão da literatura de indicação do IBP (<5 anos vs >5 anos: 71,4% vs 58,7%, P=0,010) e conhecimento suficiente. Conclusão: Embora a maioria dos participantes prescrevesse IBPs regularmente e para fins de profilaxia, no entanto, não estava familiarizada com estratégias de prescrição e raramente revisava as indicações em andamento. O conhecimento suficiente está correlacionado com revisões recentes da literatura e afiliação à especialidade médica.

Câncer colorretal de início precoce: uma análise de onze anos das características clinicopatológicas em um centro de saúde terciário / Early-onset colorectal cancer: an eleven-year analysis of clinicopathological characteristics at a tertiary healthcare center

ABSTRACT Background: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) incidence has increased significantly worldwide in recent years, and these individuals frequently have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. This study examines the clinicopathological characteristics of EO-CRC cases diagnosed at an academic healthcare center in Spain. Methods: A retrospective record review study of patients diagnosed with EO-CRC from 2010 to 2021 was performed. Clinical and pathological data were collected. Results: A total of 101 patients were included. The majority of cases (75.3%) were diagnosed in the age group between 40 and 49 years, specifically within the subgroup of 46-49 years. A family history of colorectal cancer was found in 23% of patients. Left-sided tumors were more common (43.6%), and most patients were diagnosed at advanced stages (34.7% at stage III and 32.7% at stage IV). The majority of patients (94.1%) were symptomatic, with rectal bleeding being the most prevalent clinical presentation. The most frequent histological type was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (44.6%). KRAS mutant tumors were found in 18.8% and BRAF mutant tumors in 11.9%. 67.3% had microsatellite stability. Tumor recurrence occurred in 24.8% of the patients, while 27.7% of the patients died. Conclusion: From 2010 to 2021, EO-CRC accounted for 3% of all colorectal cancer cases. To improve early diagnosis and treatment, physicians should maintain a high suspicion of red flag symptoms in young patients. To decrease EO-CRC morbidity and mortality, starting diagnostic screening tests at age 45 should be considered.

RESUMO Contexto: A incidência de câncer colorretal de início precoce (CCR-IP) tem aumentado significativamente em todo o mundo nos últimos anos, e esses indivíduos frequentemente apresentam doença avançada no momento do diagnóstico. Este estudo examina as características clinicopatológicas dos casos de CCR-IP diagnosticados em um centro de saúde acadêmico na Espanha. Métodos: Realizado um estudo retrospectivo de revisão de prontuários de pacientes diagnosticados com CCR-IP de 2010 a 2021. Dados clínicos e patológicos foram coletados. Resultados: Foram incluídos um total de 101 pacientes. A maioria dos casos (75,3%) foi diagnosticada na faixa etária entre 40 e 49 anos, especificamente dentro do subgrupo de 46 a 49 anos. Histórico familiar de câncer colorretal foi encontrado em 23% dos pacientes. Tumores do lado esquerdo foram mais comuns (43,6%), e a maioria dos pacientes foi diagnosticada em estágios avançados (34,7% no estágio III e 32,7% no estágio IV). A maioria dos pacientes (94,1%) apresentava sintomas, sendo o sangramento retal a apresentação clínica mais prevalente. O tipo histológico mais frequente foi adenocarcinoma moderadamente diferenciado (44,6%). Tumores com mutação KRAS foram encontrados em 18,8% e tumores com mutação BRAF em 11,9%. 67,3% apresentavam estabilidade de microssatélites. A recorrência do tumor ocorreu em 24,8% dos pacientes, enquanto 27,7% dos pacientes morreram. Conclusão: De 2010 a 2021, o CCR-IP representou 3% de todos os casos de câncer colorretal. Para melhorar o diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento, os médicos devem manter uma alta suspeita de sintomas de alerta em pacientes jovens. Para diminuir a morbidade e a mortalidade do CCR-IP, a consideração de iniciar exames de triagem diagnóstica aos 45 anos deve ser considerada.

Assessment of gastric-acid suppressants prescribing at an internal medicine service of a tertiary hospital in Latin America: A retrospective record review study

Gastric-acid suppressants are one of the most frequently used classes of drugs worldwide. Several studies about their overprescribing have been carried out in recent years. The aim of the study was to assess the appropriateness of these drugs at an internal medicine service of a tertiary hospital in Venezuela. A retrospective record review of patients admitted to the internal medicine service from January 2020 to February 2021 was performed. Data about indications for gastric-acid suppressants, the type used, and their continuation at discharge were collected. The prescribing was grouped into two categories, appropriate or inappropriate, according to current clinical guidelines. Of the 1203 patients who were newly prescribed gastric-acid suppressants in hospital during the study period, 993 (82.5%) had an inappropriate prescription. Prophylaxis of peptic ulcers in low-risk patients was the most frequent no evidence-based indication (20.24%). Seven hundred sixty-two patients were discharged on gastric-acid suppressants. Of these, 74.7% did not have an acceptable indication to continue this treatment on an outpatient basis. Many hospitalized patients in a Venezuelan academic tertiary healthcare center were given gastric acid suppressants not in accordance with the current clinical practice guidelines.

Los supresores del ácido gástrico son uno de los grupos farmacológicos más frecuentemente prescritos en todo el mundo. En los últimos años se han realizado varios estudios sobre su prescripción inadecuada. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la idoneidad de estos medicamentos en un servicio de medicina interna de un hospital de tercer nivel en Venezuela. Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de historias medicas de pacientes ingresados en el servicio de medicina interna desde enero de 2020 hasta febrero de 2021. Se recogieron datos sobre indicaciones de supresores de ácido gástrico, tipo utilizado y su continuación al alta. La prescripción se agrupó en dos categorías, adecuada o inadecuada, según las guías clínicas vigentes. Entre los 1203 pacientes a los que se les prescribió recientemente supresores de ácido gástrico en el hospital durante el período de estudio, 993 (82,5%) tenían una prescripción inapropiada. La profilaxis de úlceras pépticas en pacientes de bajo riesgo fue la indicación no basada en evidencia más frecuente (20,24%). Setecientos sesenta y dos pacientes fueron dados de alta con supresores de ácido gástrico. De estos, el 74,7% no tenía una indicación apropiada para continuar este tratamiento de forma ambulatoria. Un alto número de pacientes hospitalizados en un centro asistencial de nivel terciario en Venezuela fueron prescritos con supresores de ácido gástrico que no se ajustaban a las guías de práctica clínica vigentes.

Assessment of tolerance and acceptability between mannitol solution and polyethylene glycol as bowel preparation for colonoscopy: a three-center study / Evaluación de tolerancia y aceptabilidad entre la solución de manitol y el polietilenglicol como preparación intestinal para la colonoscopía: un estudio de tres centros

ABSTRACT Introduction: Adequate bowel preparation is one of the most important factors related to the yield of colonoscopy. Low quality bowel preparation has been associated with lower adenoma detection rates and increased healthcare expenses. Bowel preparation is a major impediment to undergo colonoscopy since it is perceived as an unpleasant experience by patients. Objective: This study was aimed to assess tolerance and acceptability of the bowel preparation using either polyethylene glycol (PEG) or mannitol solution. Materials and methods: We enrolled 140 patients with indications of screening for colorectal cancer or with suspected large bowel diseases. They received either mannitol solution or PEG as bowel preparation. Patients were asked to fill a questionnaire about the bowel preparation experience. Results: Patients perceived more burdensome the preparation with PEG than mannitol for the variables nausea overall experience, post-procedure discomfort, disagreeable flavor, volume ingested and cost (p<0.05). A similar tolerance was reported for abdominal pain, bloating and anal irritation (p>0.05). The acceptability was 82.9% and 71.4% in the Mannitol group and in the PEG group, respectively (p=0.10). Conclusion: Acceptance of the bowel preparation between mannitol solution and PEG was comparable. However, mannitol was better tolerated by the patients in regard to most of the evaluated items.

RESUMEN Introducción: La preparación intestinal adecuada es uno de los factores más importantes relacionados con el rendimiento de la colonoscopía. La preparación intestinal de baja calidad se ha asociado con tasas de detección de adenoma más bajas y mayores gastos de atención sanitaria. La preparación intestinal es un impedimento importante para someterse a una colonoscopía, ya que los pacientes la perciben como una experiencia desagradable. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la tolerancia y la aceptabilidad de la preparación intestinal utilizando polietilenglicol (PEG) o solución de manitol. Materiales y métodos: Fueron incluidos 140 pacientes con indicación de pesquisa de cáncer colorrectal o con sospecha de enfermedades del intestino grueso. Los pacientes recibieron solución de manitol o PEG como preparación intestinal. Se pidió a los pacientes que completaran un cuestionario sobre la experiencia de preparación intestinal. Resultados: Los pacientes percibieron más agobiante la preparación con PEG que el manitol para las variables náuseas, experiencia general, molestias posteriores al procedimiento, sabor desagradable, volumen ingerido y costo (p<0,05). Se informó una tolerancia similar para el dolor abdominal, distensión abdominal e irritación anal (p>0,05). La aceptabilidad fue de 82,9% y 71,4% en el grupo de manitol y en el grupo de PEG, respectivamente (p=0,10). Conclusión: La aceptación de la preparación intestinal entre la solución de manitol y el PEG fue comparable. Sin embargo, el manitol fue mejor tolerado por los pacientes con respecto a la mayoría de las variables evaluadas.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis in a patient with food bolus impaction / Pseudodiverticulosis intramural esofágica en un paciente con impactación de bolo alimentario

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is an uncommon esophageal benign disease. The typical finding during endoscopy is the presence of numerous pinhead-sized outpouchings along the esophageal wall. We reported a case of food bolus impaction secondary to esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. A 67-year-old man presented with sudden-onset dysphagia. Multiple tiny orifices were revealed during upper endoscopy. In addition, there were an impacted food bolus and an esophageal web. The patient was treated with balloon dilatation and proton pump inhibitors. As a result the symptoms disappeared completely. Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is a rare cause of food bolus impaction and its treatment is directed towards the underlying associated conditions as well as the resolution of complications.

La pseudodiverticulosis intramural esofágica es una enfermedad benigna del esófago poco común. El hallazgo típico durante la endoscopia es la presencia de numerosos sáculos del tamaño de una cabeza de alfiler a lo largo de la pared esofágica. Reportamos un caso de impactación de bolo alimentario secundario a pseudodiverticulosis esofágica intramural. Un hombre de 67 años presentó disfagia de aparición repentina. Se encontraron múltiples orificios pequeños en la endoscopia superior. Además, hubo un bolo alimentario impactado y una red esofágica. El paciente fue tratado con dilatación con balón e inhibidores de la bomba de protones. Como resultado, los síntomas desaparecieron por completo. La pseudodiverticulosis intramural esofágica es una causa rara de impactación del bolo alimentario y su tratamiento se dirige a las condiciones asociadas subyacentes, así como a la resolución de complicaciones.

Utilização da cromoendoscopia com azul de toluidina mais solução de Lugol para diagnóstico precoce de lesões pré-malignas esofágicas e neoplasias superficiais em pacientes de alto risco / Chromoendoscopy using toluidine blue plus lugol's solution for early diagnosis of esophageal premalignant lesions and superficial neoplasms in high-risk patients

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer. The prognosis is bleak in patients with advanced stages. Patients with early disease have a better prognosis than those with advanced stage. There are several techniques for the screening of premalignant and superficial lesions including chromoendoscopy. OBJECTIVE: This article aimed to determine the effectiveness of chromoendoscopy with toluidine blue combined with Lugol's solution for diagnosis of esophageal premalignant and superficial neoplastic lesions in high risk patients. METHODS: Routine white light upper endoscopy was performed. Toluidine blue was sprayed from the gastroesophageal junction to 20 cm of the dental arch. Then the uptake dye areas were characterized. Later Lugol's solution was sprayed. Areas with less-intense staining were characterized. Biopsy of the toluidine blue capturing areas and areas with less-intense staining of Lugol's solution were taken. In the cases where lesions were not evidenced after application of dyes, biopsies four quadrants of the esophageal mucosa were taken. The samples were evaluated by a digestive pathologist. RESULTS: Barrett's esophagus was the most common premalignant lesion and the early neoplastic lesion was adenocarcinoma with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity 85.7%, positive predictive value 30%, negative predictive value 100%, positive likelihood ratio 7 negative likelihood ratio 0. CONCLUSION: Chromoendoscopy with toluidine blue combined with Lugol's solution is a useful tool in the screening of esophageal premalignant lesions and superficial neoplasms.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: O câncer de esôfago é o oitavo câncer mais comum. O prognóstico é sombrio em pacientes com estágios avançados. Pacientes com doença precoce têm um melhor prognóstico do que aqueles com estágio avançado. Existem várias técnicas para a triagem de lesões pré-malignas e superficiais, incluindo cromoendoscopia. OBJETIVO: Este artigo objetivou determinar a efetividade da cromoendoscopia com azul de toluidina combinada com a solução de Lugol para o diagnóstico de lesões neoplásicas pré-malignas e superficiais esofágicas em pacientes de alto risco. MÉTODOS - A endoscopia de luz branca de rotina foi realizada de forma rotineira. O azul do toluidina foi pulverizado desde a junção gastroesofágica até 20 cm da arcada dentária. As áreas impregnadas pela tintura da tomada foram então caracterizadas. Mais adiante a solução de Lugol foi pulverizada. Áreas com coloração menos intensa foram caracterizadas. Foram realizadas biópsias das áreas de captura de azul de toluidina e áreas com coloração menos intensa da solução de Lugol. Nos casos onde as lesões não foram evidenciadas após a aplicação das tinturas, foram feitas biópsias em quatro quadrantes da mucosa esofágica. As amostras foram avaliadas por um patologista especializado. RESULTADOS: O esôfago de Barrett foi a lesão pré-maligna mais frequente e a lesão neoplásica precoce foi adenocarcinoma com sensibilidade de 100%, especificidade de 85,7%, valor preditivo positivo de 30%, valor preditivo negativo 100%, razão de verossimilhança positiva 7 e razão de verossimilhança negativa 0. CONCLUSÃO: A cromoendoscopia com azul de toluidina combinada com a solução de Lugol é uma ferramenta útil na triagem de lesões pré-malignas esofágicas e neoplasias superficiais.

Diplejía facial como variante inusual del síndrome de Guillain-Barré: primer caso reportado en Venezuela / Facial diplegia as unusual variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome: first case reported in Venezuela

El síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) es la causa más común de parálisis generalizada aguda. El SGB es una polirradiculoneuropatia aguda inflamatoria desmielinizante que generalmente se presenta como una parálisis que inicia en miembros inferiores y luego progresa de forma ascendente y simétrica. El presente trabajo, tiene como objetivo, informar un caso de diplejía facial como manifestación inicial de SGB. Paciente masculino, 37 años de edad, diabético tipo 2, que luego de ocho días de haber padecido una sinusitis aguda, presentó de forma gradual, cefalea hemicraneana derecha, derramamiento salival y disartria. En la exploración neurológica se observó ausencia bilateral de los pliegues frontales, lagoftalmos bilateral acompañado de epífora, signo de Bell bilateral y derramamiento salival a través de ambas comisuras labiales. A las 48 horas de su ingreso hospitalario, presentó paresia en ambos miembros superiores. El estudio del líquido cefalorraquídeo reportó 1,1 células/mm³ representadas en su totalidad por linfocitos de aspecto normal, y proteínas totales 196,9mg/dL. La electromiografía fue compatible con polineuropatía desmielinizante aguda de predominio motor con mayor afectación facial. Con los hallazgos clínicos y paraclínicos se realizó el diagnóstico de SGB. Se inició tratamiento a base de plasmaféresis e inmunoglobulina endovenosa, con posterior mejoría de la clínica. La diplejía facial forma parte de las variantes regionales del SGB. A pesar que cerca del 60% de los pacientes con SGB presentan debilidad facial en el curso del trastorno, ésta habitualmente es precedida por debilidad en extremidades. El presente caso permite evidenciar que el SGB puede debutar clínicamente como una diplejía facial.

The Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute generalized paralysis. GBS is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. It usually presents as a paralysis that starts in the lower limbs and then progresses symmetrically upward. The present study reports a case of bilateral facial palsy as the initial manifestation of GBS. This is a report of a case of a 37-year-old male, diabetic, that eight days after having suffered acute sinusitis, gradually presented with right hemicranial headache, dysarthria and sialorrhea. The neurological examination disclosed the absence of the bilateral frontal folds, accompanied by epiphora, bilateral lagophthalmos, bilateral Bell sign and salivary drooling through both commissures of lips. At 48 hours after hospital admission the patient showed paresis in both upper limbs. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis reported 1.1cells/mm³, fully represented by lymphocytes of normal aspect and total proteins were 196.9 mg/dL. The electromyography was consistent with acute demyelinating polyneuropathy, with a predominant motor component and a major facial involvement. With the clinical and laboratory findings, a diagnosis of GBS was established. Treatment was started with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin, with the subsequent improvement of the clinic. The facial diplegia is part of the regional variants of GBS. Although about 60% of GBS patients present with facial weakness, it is usually preceded by weakness in the limbs. This case makes evident that GBS may present clinically as a facial diplegia.

Neuritis óptica por picadura de abeja / Optic neuritis after a bee sting

La neuritis óptica es la inflamación aguda del nervio óptico y su forma atípica se produce por la inflamación del nervio óptico como parte de un proceso de causa infecciosa, inmune, granulomatosa, o por contigüidad. Las picaduras por himenópteros (abejas, avispas, hormigas) han sido asociadas con diferentes cuadros clínicos, que van desde manifestaciones locales hasta cuadros sistémicos como anafilaxis, glomerulonefritis y afectación del sistema nervioso central (lesiones vasculares e isquémicas, neuritis óptica y lesiones desmielinizantes). Desde 1960 se han documentado casos de neuritis ópticas asociadas a las picaduras de himenópteros, que adoptan las formas de neuritis óptica anterior isquémica e inflamatoria. Se presenta el caso de una paciente, mujer de 62 años de edad, que luego de tres días de haber sufrido picadura por abeja en párpado inferior izquierdo, presentó disminución de la agudeza visual de ambos ojos y escotoma central, concomitante con cefalea y dolor ocular bilateral exacerbado con los movimientos oculares. Al examen oftalmológico la agudeza visual se encontraba disminuida (visión en bultos). En el fondo de ojo se evidenció de forma bilateral discos ópticos de bordes borrados. En la resonancia magnética ocular se observó engrosamiento hiperintenso del nervio óptico izquierdo. Por las características clínicas y el antecedente epidemiológico se planteó el diagnóstico de neuritis óptica bilateral. Se inició pulsos de metilprednisolona, con posterior mejoría de la clínica.

Optic neuritis is an acute inflammation of the optic nerve and, in its atypical form, is caused by inflammation of the optic nerve as part of infectious, immune, granulomatous, or contiguity processes. Hymenoptera stings (bees, wasps and ants) have been associated with different clinical presentations, ranging from local events to systemic manifestations, such as anaphylaxis, glomerulonephritis and central nervous system involvement (ischemic vascular lesions, optic neuritis and demyelinating lesions). This is a report of the case of a 62-year-old woman that after three days of being stung by a bee in the left lower eyelid, showed decreased visual acuity of both eyes and central scotoma, concomitant bilateral headache and eye pain, exacerbated by eye movements. The ophthalmological examination showed that visual acuity was decreased and the bilateral fundus examination revealed blurred optic disks edges. Hyperintense thickening of the left optic nerve was observed with an ocular MRI. Due to the clinical manifestations and epidemiological history, the diagnosis of bilateral optic neuritis was established. Treatment with pulses of 1g/daily of methylprednisolone was initiated, for three days, with clinical improvement within 24 hours after receiving the first dose. Since 1960, cases of optic neuritis associated with hymenoptera stings have been documented, which take the form of anterior optic neuritis. A case of a patient who presented clinical features of bilateral optic neuritis after been stung by a bee, with a good clinical outcome after treatment with methylprednisolone is reported.

Endocarditis infecciosa por Rhizobium radiobacter: Reporte de un caso / Infective endocarditis by Rhizobium radiobacter: A case report

Rhizobium radiobacter es una bacteria Gram-negativa, fijadora de nitrógeno que se encuentra principalmente en el suelo. Rara vez causa infecciones en humanos. Ha sido asociada a bacteriemia secundaria a colonización de catéteres intravasculares en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. El objetivo de este trabajo es informar un caso de endocarditis infecciosa por R. radiobacter. Se trata de paciente masculino, de 47 años de edad, con diagnóstico de enfermedad renal crónica estadio 5 en tratamiento sustitutivo con hemodiálisis, quien acude a centro asistencial por presentar fiebre de dos semanas de evolución. Es hospitalizado, se toman muestras de sangre periférica para hemocultivo y se inicia antibioticoterapia empírica con cefotaxime más vancomicina. El ecocardiograma transtorácico revelo vegetación fusiforme en válvula tricúspide con regurgitación grado III-IV/IV. Al séptimo día del inicio de la antibioterapia el paciente presenta mejoría clínica y paraclínica. La bacteria identificada por hemocultivo es Rhizobium radiobacter resistente a ceftriaxona y sensible a imipenem, amikacina, ampicilina y ampicilina/sulbactam. Debido a la mejoría clínica se decide continuar tratamiento con vancomicina y se anexa imipenem. A los 14 días de iniciada la antibioterapia el paciente es dado de alta con tratamiento ambulatorio con imipenen hasta cumplir seis semanas de tratamiento. En el ecocardiograma control se evidencio ausencia de la vegetación en la válvula tricúspide. Este caso sugiere que R. radiobacter puede ser una causa de endocarditis en pacientes portadores de catéteres intravasculares.

Rhizobium radiobacter is a Gram-negative, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, which is found mainly on the ground. It rarely causes infections in humans. It has been associated with bacteremia, secondary to colonization of intravascular catheters, in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this paper was to report the case of an infective endocarditis caused by R. radiobacter, in a 47-year-old male, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage 5, on replacement therapy with hemodialysis and who attended the medical center with fever of two weeks duration. The patient was hospitalized and samples of peripheral blood were taken for culture. Empirical antibiotic therapy was started with cefotaxime plus vancomycin. The transthoracic echocardiogram revealed fusiform vegetation on the tricuspid valve, with grade III-IV/IV regurgitation. On the seventh day after the start of antibiotic therapy, the patient had a clinical and paraclinical improvement. The bacterium identified by blood culture was Rhizobium radiobacter, ceftriaxone-resistant and sensitive to imipenem, amikacin, ampicillin and ampicillin/ sulbactam. Because of the clinical improvement, it was decided to continue treatment with vancomycin and additionally, with imipenem. At 14 days after the start of antibiotic therapy, the patient was discharged with outpatient treatment with imipenem up to six weeks of treatment. The control echocardiogram showed the absence of vegetation on the tricuspid valve. This case suggests that R. radiobacter can cause endocarditis in patients with intravascular catheters.