Enfermedad del legionario en Argentina: evolución de la estrategia diagnóstica en el laboratorio / Legionnaires' disease in Argentina: Evolution of the laboratory diagnostic strategy

Resumen La enfermedad del legionario (EL) es una neumonía aguda grave, que ocurre espo-rádicamente o como epidemias, y que, generalmente, requiere hospitalización. El objetivo deeste trabajo fue describir la experiencia en el abordaje diagnóstico de laboratorio de la ELen Argentina durante el período 2016-2021. Se analizaron 168 especímenes clínicos correspondientes a 93 casos de neumonía con sospecha de EL. Las pruebas de laboratorio incluyeron ladeterminación del antígeno soluble de Legionella pneumophila serogrupo 1 en orina, la detec-ción de ADN de Legionella spp. en secreciones respiratorias bajas, por métodos moleculares convencionales y comerciales de tipo sindrómico, y el cultivo en medio selectivo. Se confirmó EL en 12 pacientes. El antígeno urinario confirmó el diagnóstico de 8 de ellos. Se recuperó L. pneumophila mediante el cultivo del material respiratorio de 6 pacientes que correspondieron a casos de neumonía asociada a cuidados de la salud y que fueron previamente diagnosticados por el método molecular comercial. La mitad de ellos no presentó antigenuria detectable. En un único paciente no hubo antigenuria detectable ni recuperación de Legionella en cultivo, y la confirmación de EL se basó en la detección de ADN de Legionella spp. por PCR en secreción respiratoria y el vínculo epidemiológico con otro caso de EL confirmado por cultivo. La detección del antígeno urinario es la prueba diagnóstica de primera línea. Sin embargo, la incorporación de métodos moleculares complementarios ha demostrado evitar falsos negativos y contribuir a un mejor conocimiento de la verdadera incidencia de la enfermedad.

Abstract Legionnaires' disease (LD) is severe acute pneumonia that occurs in sporadic or epidemic form, and generally requires hospitalizaron. The objective of this work was to describe the experience in the LD laboratory diagnostic approach in Argentina during the period 2016-2021. The laboratory analyzed 168 clinical specimens from 93 cases of suspected LD pneu-monia. Laboratory tests included the detection of the soluble antigen of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in urine sample, detection of DNA of Legionella spp. in lower respiratory secre-tions by conventional and commercial molecular methods and isolation in selective medium. LD was confirmed in 12 patients. The urinary antigen allowed the diagnosis for 8 patients. L. pneumophila was isolated from the respiratory material of 6 patients suffering from health care-associated pneumonia, who had been previously diagnosed using the commercial molecular method. Fifty percent of these cases did not show detectable urinary antigen. A single patient did not shows neither detectable antigenuria nor isolation of Legionella from the respiratory sample and was diagnosed as a confirmed case of LD by the detection of DNA of Legionella spp. by PCR directly from the respiratory secretion and the epidemiological link with another case of confirmed LD by culture. Urinary antigen detection is the first-line diagnostic test. However, the incorporation of complementary molecular methods has proved to avoid false negatives and contributed to a better understanding of the true incidence of the disease.

Neumonía atípica en niños: Detección serológica y molecular de Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Revisión Sistemática / Atypical pneumonia in children: serological and molecular detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Systematic Review

M. pneumoniae es un agente etiológico importante para neumonía atípica en niños. Por sus características inmunogénicas, la presentación clínica no alcanza una certeza diagnóstica. Métodos comunes usados para cuadros de etiología diferente, no producen en este caso hallazgos facilitadores del diagnóstico que generen decisiones terapéuticas apropiadas. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir la utilidad del uso de la PCR y serología IgM para M. pneumoniae en niños, conociendo que son las técnicas más usadas. Método: Con la estrategia Pico se buscó material científico en bases de datos Pubmed, Embase, Chrocane; verificando términos Mesh y Decs. Criterios de exclusión: abstracts, otros microorganismos, población adulta, pruebas de laboratorio diferentes, reportes de caso y cartas al editor. Es importante detectar M. pneumoniae por la aparición de cepas resistentes al tratamiento con macrólidos; secundario a no tener pruebas confiables. La serología, no es altamente sensible en etapas iniciales; pero, mediante pruebas pareadas se confirma el diagnóstico. Para agilizar la detección proponen la PCR; dependiendo de ciertas condiciones, podría hacerse diagnóstico. Si no se logran los requerimientos necesarios, el uso de los dos test resulta confiable. En conclusión, No hay superioridad de un test específico; algunos autores sugieren las dos pruebas para un diagnóstico rápido y evitar la resistencia por uso indiscriminado de antibióticos

M. pneumoniae is an important etiologic agent for atypical pneumonia in children. Due to its immunogenic characteristics, the clinical signs do not reach diagnostic certainty. Common methods used for different etiology do not produce diagnostic facilitating findings for therapeutic decisions. The objective of this review is to describe the usefulness of PCR and IgM serology for M. pneumoniae in children, considering that these are the most used techniques. Making use of the Pico strategy, scientific material was searched in PubMed, Embase, Chrocane databases; verifying terms Mesh and Decs. Exclusion criteria: abstracts, other microorganisms, adult population, different laboratory tests, case reports and letters to the editor. It is important to detect M. pneumoniae by the appearance of resistant to macrolide treatment microorganisms; secondary to not having reliable labs. Serology is not highly sensitive, in early stages; but, with paired tests, it confirms the diagnosis. To expedite detection, some propose PCR; depending on certain conditions, it could make a diagnosis. If the necessary requirements are not achieved, the use of the two tests is reliable. In conclusion, there is no superiority of a specific test; some studies suggest both tests for a rapid diagnosis and avoid resistance by indiscriminate use of antibiotics

Neumonía atípica en niños: Detección serológica y molecular de Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Revisión Sistemática / Atypical pneumonia in children: serological and molecular detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Systematic Review

M. pneumoniae es un agente etiológico importante para neumonía atípica en niños. Por sus características inmunogénicas, la presentación clínica no alcanza una certeza diagnóstica. Métodos comunes usados para cuadros de etiología diferente, no producen en este caso hallazgos facilitadores del diagnóstico que generen decisiones terapéuticas apropiadas. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir la utilidad del uso de la PCR y serología IgM para M. pneumoniae en niños, conociendo que son las técnicas más usadas. Método: Con la estrategia Pico se buscó material científico en bases de datos Pubmed, Embase, Chrocane; verificando términos Mesh y Decs. Criterios de exclusión: abstracts, otros microorganismos, población adulta, pruebas de laboratorio diferentes, reportes de caso y cartas al editor. Es importante detectar M. pneumoniae por la aparición de cepas resistentes al tratamiento con macrólidos; secundario a no tener pruebas confiables. La serología, no es altamente sensible en etapas iniciales; pero, mediante pruebas pareadas se confirma el diagnóstico. Para agilizar la detección proponen la PCR; dependiendo de ciertas condiciones, podría hacerse diagnóstico. Si no se logran los requerimientos necesarios, el uso de los dos test resulta confiable. En conclusión, No hay superioridad de un test específico; algunos autores sugieren las dos pruebas para un diagnóstico rápido y evitar la resistencia por uso indiscriminado de antibióticos

M. pneumoniae is an important etiologic agent for atypical pneumonia in children. Due to its immunogenic characteristics, the clinical signs do not reach diagnostic certainty. Common methods used for different etiology do not produce diagnostic facilitating findings for therapeutic decisions. The objective of this review is to describe the usefulness of PCR and IgM serology for M. pneumoniae in children, considering that these are the most used techniques. Making use of the Pico strategy, scientific material was searched in PubMed, Embase, Chrocane databases; verifying terms Mesh and Decs. Exclusion criteria: abstracts, other microorganisms, adult population, different laboratory tests, case reports and letters to the editor. It is important to detect M. pneumoniae by the appearance of resistant to macrolide treatment microorganisms; secondary to not having reliable labs. Serology is not highly sensitive, in early stages; but, with paired tests, it confirms the diagnosis. To expedite detection, some propose PCR; depending on certain conditions, it could make a diagnosis. If the necessary requirements are not achieved, the use of the two tests is reliable. In conclusion, there is no superiority of a specific test; some studies suggest both tests for a rapid diagnosis and avoid resistance by indiscriminate use of antibiotics

A study to assess the magnitude of atypical pneumonia by serum polymerase chain reaction in children aged 3 years to 18 years at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Background: Atypical organisms are a common causative agent of pneumonia in children more than 3 years of age, causing around 10-30% of the cases. Though atypical pathogens are said to cause relatively milder form of pneumonia as compared to other bacterial and viral pathogens, severe manifestations can also occur. Early identification of these pathogens can help in starting treatment with macrolides, which can reduce the length of hospital stay and mortality. Hence in this study the prevalence of atypical organisms was identified by using serum Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in children between 3 years to 18 years of age with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia admitted in wards and PICU in KIMS hospital. Authors excluded Immunocompromised children. Detailed history and clinical examination was done. Investigations - complete hemogram, Chest Xray, blood Culture and sensitivity and serum PCR was done for a sample size of 100 children.Results: In this study among the three atypical organisms, Legionella pneumoniae was identified in 2% of the cases by serum PCR.Conclusions: In this study among the three atypical pathogens authors could only identify Legionella pneumoniae. Prevalence of Legionella pneumoniae was 2%. While treating children aged 3 years to 18 years with pneumonia, a high degree of suspicion of atypical pathogens is required, especially in Legionella because of its high mortality rate. In such circumstances adding macrolides along with other antibiotics will be beneficial to the patients outcome and duration of hospital stay.

A study to assess the prevalence of atypical organisms in pneumonia in children aged 1 month to 3 years by serum polymerase chain reaction in KIMS Hospital, Bangalore, India

Background: Atypical organisms are a common causative agent of pneumonia in children more than 3 years of age. Though atypical pathogens are said to cause relatively milder form of pneumonia severe manifestations can also occur.' Very few studies are available on the prevalence of atypical pneumonia in children less than 3 years. Hence in this study the prevalence of atypical organisms in pneumonia was identified by using serum Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in children between 1 month to 3 years of age with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia admitted in wards and PICU in KIMS hospital. Authors excluded Immuno compromised children. Detailed history and clinical examination was done. Investigations - complete hemogram, Chest X-ray, blood Culture and sensitivity and serum PCR was done for a sample size of 50 children.Results: Among the three atypical organisms, Legionella pneumoniae was identified in 4% (2/50) cases by serum PCR.Conclusions: In this study it was found that the prevalence of 4%. Legionella pneumonia can be fatal in 10% of cases. Hence atypical pathogens like Legionella should be kept in mind even in children less than 3 years when pneumonia is not responding to beta lactam antibiotics, in such cases macrolides to be considered.

Neumonía atípica y COVID-19 durante la pandemia. A propósito de casos manejados exitosamente a domicilio / Atypical pneumonia and COVID-19 during the pandemic. Regarding cases successfully managed at home / Pneumonia atípica e COVID-19 durante a pandémica. Em relação aos casos gerenciados com sucesso em casa

Resumen: Un nuevo virus emergió a finales del año pasado en Wuhan, China, lo que ocasionó una pandemia de enormes proporciones que se ha extendido por todo el planeta cobrando miles de vidas humanas. Su forma grave, la neumónica, puede alcanzar criterios de SIRPA y se asocia con una elevada mortalidad. Se discute un posible sobreuso de ventiladores mecánicos por una no del todo apropiada selección de casos en los hospitales en el contexto de un nuevo padecimiento, con una fisiopatología no bien comprendida y una alta posibilidad de lesión pulmonar asociada al ventilador, así como su eventual manejo domiciliario en casos bien seleccionados. En tiempos de pandemia, el ingreso a la UCI debe ser estrictamente sensato y razonado.

Abstract: A new virus emerged at the end of last year in Wuhan, China, causing a huge pandemic that has spread across the planet, taking thousands of human lives. Its severe form, pneumonia, can meet ARDS criteria and is associated with high mortality. A possible overuse of mechanical ventilators is discussed due to a not entirely appropriate selection of cases in hospitals in the context of a new condition with a poorly understood pathophysiology and a high possibility of ventilator-associated lung injury, as well as its eventual home management in well selected cases. In times of pandemic, admission to the ICU must be strictly sensible and reasoned.

Resumo: Um novo vírus surgiu no final do ano em Wuhan, na China, causando uma pandemia de enormes proporções que se espalhou por todo o planeta, levando milhares de vidas humanas. Sua forma grave, pneumonia, pode atender aos critérios da ARDS e está associada a alta mortalidade. Um possível uso excessivo de ventiladores mecânicos é discutido devido a uma seleção não totalmente apropriada de casos em hospitais no contexto de uma nova doença com uma fisiopatologia pouco compreendida e uma alta possibilidade de lesão pulmonar associada ao ventilador, bem como seu eventual tratamento domiciliar em casos bem selecionados. Em tempos de pandemia, a admissão na UTI deve ser estritamente sensata e fundamentada.

Pediatric Pneumonia: A Review of Clinical Practice Essentials – A Clinical Study in a Tertiary Hospital

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections are common cause of morbidity in infants and preschool children. Among them,infectious pneumonia is foremost in causing serious illness and creates problems in its diagnosis. Determination of exact etiology ofpneumonia is uncertain due to difficulty in obtaining suitable and adequate samples and shortage of accurate diagnostic methods.Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to review the clinical diagnosis, investigations, diagnosis, and management ofpneumonia in children in the light of the WHO guidelines.Materials and Methods: A total of 79 children with pneumonia attending a tertiary teaching hospital were included in thestudy. Children aged between 2 and 59 months were included in the study. Children satisfying WHO criteria for the diagnosisof pneumonia were included from the study. Children with documented evidence of comorbidities were excluded from thestudy. Demographic data, nutrition history including breastfeeding practices, immunization history, and treatment history, wereelicited. Children were divided as Group A: Children with weight for age <3rd percentile, and Group B: Children with weight forage ≥3rd percentile. Investigations included radiological, hematological investigations such as complete blood picture, sputumexamination, and nasopharyngeal aspirates analysis for organism and blood cultures were done. All the children were treatedfollowing the WHO guidelines. The hospital stay was grouped as <1 week group and more than 1 week group.Observations and Results: Among 79 children there were 43 (54.43%) male children and 36 (45.56%) female children. Theyoungest child was 2 months old and the eldest child was aged 57 months old with a mean age of 28.4 ± 1.3 months. Childrenbelonging to Group A were 40 (50.63%) and belonging to Group B were 39 (49.36%). Among 79 children, 46/79 (58.22%) werediagnosed as “Pneumonia” and the remaining 33/79 (41.77%) children as severe pneumonia. 62/79 (78.48%) children below36 months (3 years) were found to have either pneumonia or severe pneumonia. 17/79 (21.51%) children belonged to theage group above 36 months were found to have either pneumonia or severe pneumonia in this study. 39/62 (62.90%) childrenwho had pneumonia were below 36 months and 23/62 (37.09%) children who had severe pneumonia were below 36 months.Conclusions: Pneumonia is a clinically curable disease when identified and initiated on recommended treatment protocols.Lack of exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months of age, failure of complete immunization coverage, child malnutrition, infancy, andtoddler age are the risk factors for both types of the pneumonia but more so with severe pneumonia. There was no statisticalsignificance correlating the X-ray findings and severity of pneumonia was observed.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, asociado a polineuropatía axonal autoinmune, ¿variante clínica del síndrome Guillain-Barré en niños? / Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, associated to autoimmune axonal polyneuropathy, clinical variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in children?

Introducción: Mycoplasma penumoniae es un patógeno reconocido como principal agente causal de neumonía atípica, así como también por generar diferentes tipos de complicaciones extrapulmonares, especialmente de carácter neurológico y afectar directamente el sistema nervioso, gracias a sus mecanismos de virulencia, mimetismo y de inmunomodulación en el huésped. Causa afecciones como neuropatías, polineuropatías, encefalopatías, síndrome de Guillain Barré y otros. Objetivo: Reforzar en el área pediátrica la necesidad de modificar criterios diagnósticos e incorporar variantes clínicas del síndrome de Guillain Barre, además de instrumentos para diagnóstico de afecciones neuropáticas. Presentación del caso: Paciente masculino, 9 años 8 meses de edad, quien consulta en repetidas ocasiones por: dispepsias, episodios de diarrea, constipación y fiebre. Se constató según consulta: disbiosis, resfriado común, y finalmente, neumonía atípica por Mycoplasma Pneumoniae. Paciente evoluciona, con debilidad muscular, paresia, hiperalgesia y alodinia de extremidades superiores e inferiores. Acude a neurólogo, quien indica exámenes neurofisiológicos (velocidad de conducción nerviosa, potenciales evocados y se descartó una electromiografía, debido a la hiperalgesia). Se diagnosticó una polineuropatía axonal, la que se caracterizó por presentar ciertos aspectos del síndrome de Guillain-Barré. Tanto la evolución clínica de este síndrome, así como sus variantes clínicas, tienen un curso en adultos, caracterizado por un comienzo y signos distintos, lo que puede retrasar y errar el diagnóstico en pacientes pediátricos. Conclusiones: Hace falta nuevos criterios diagnósticos y su amplitud y herramientas de abordaje, para hacer un diagnóstico rápido y eficaz, y contribuir a la recuperación optima del paciente(AU)

Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pathogen know as to the main causal agent of atypical pneumonia, as well as to generate different extrapulmonary sickness, especially in neurological ways, directing to the nervous system, thanks to all its different mechanisms, like: virulence, mimetysm and immunomodulation in to the host. Producing, pathologies like neuropathies, polyneuropathies, encephalopathies, Guillain Barré Syndrome. Objetives: To highlight in the pediatric area, the need to modificate diagnosis criteria and incorporate Guillain-Barre Syndrome clinicals variants, also instruments to diagnosis of neuropathic pathologies. Case presentation: Male patient, 9 years, 8 months old, who consulted in repeated occasions for: dyspepsia, diarrhea and constipation episodes and fiber. Confirmed according to consultation: dysbiosis, common cold, and finally, atypical pneumonia by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae. The patient evolves with: muscular weakness, hyperalgesia and allodynia of upper and inferior extremities. Then, the Neurologist, indicates neurophysiological exams (nerve conduction velocity, evoked potentials, discarding an electromyography, due to hyperalgesia). Diagnosing an axonal polyneuropathy. Which was characterized to present some same aspects, from clinical course of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Highlighting that the clinical evolution, as also, the syndrome clinical variants, has it a course in adults, characterized by a different beginning and signs, than in children. Retarding and do a wrong diagnosis in pediatric patients. Conclusion: Lack of new diagnosis criteria, the amplitude of these and tools of approach to give a fast and effective diagnosis, and contribute to the optimal recovery of the patient(AU)

An Infant with Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease in infants, unlike older children and adults, has diverse etiology, including infective, metabolic, autoimmune,genetic, malignant and idiopathic causes. Clinical recognition of the interstitial pattern of lung involvement is important as the etiology andmanagement is entirely different from that of recurrent or chronic lung parenchymal pathologies. We discuss the clinical and pathologicalfindings of an infant with interstitial pneumonia, who succumbed to hospital-acquired sepsis.

Legionella spp. como agente etiológico de neumonía / Legionella spp. as causal agent of pneumonia

Las especies de Legionella son reconocidas en el mundo como agentes etiológicos importantes de neumonía. En Venezuela su incidencia es desconocida. El propósito de este trabajo fue estandarizar e implementar las metodologías (Cultivo y Antígeno Urinario) en nuestro medio, con el fin de determinar la presencia de especies de Legionella spp. en pacientes con sospecha de neumonía que acudieron a la emergencia de adultos del Servicio Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo (SAHUM). Para ello, se estudiaron 75 muestras de orina y esputo. Los esputos fueron cultivados en medios selectivos y no selectivos para Legionella. Se determinó el antígeno urinario específico para Legionella pneumophila serogrupo 1, mediante la técnica de inmunocromatografía rápida (Binax Now®). De las muestras de esputo cultivadas, solo 1 (1,33%) fue positiva y 7 (9,33%) muestras de orina resultaron positivas. Las metodologías utilizadas y estandarizadas en la presente investigación mostraron una elevada sensibilidad y permitieron la implementación de estas metodologías en el Laboratorio de Referencia Bacteriológico.

Legionella species are recognized worldwide as important etiologic agents of pneumonia. In Venezuela the incidence is unknown. The purpose of this study was to standardize and implement methodologies (culture and Urinary Antigen) in our environment detect the presence of Legionella spp. in patients with suspected pneumonia who attended the emergence of adults at the University Hospital of Maracaibo (SAHUM). To do this, 75 samples of urine and sputum were studied. Sputum was cultured on selective and nonselective media for Legionella. Specific urinary antigen Legionella pneumophila serogrupo 1 was determined, by rapid immunochromatographic technique (Binax Now®). In cultured sputum samples, only one (1.33%) was positive and 7 (9.33%) were positive urine samples. Standardized methodologies used in this investigation showed high sensitivity and allowed the implementation of these methodologies in the Laboratory of Bacteriology Reference.

Neumonía por bacterias atípicas: mycoplasma y Chlamydia pneumoniae ¿qué elementos tenemos para hacer un diagnóstico adecuado y decidir cuándo tratar? / Atypical pneumonia: mycoplasma and chlamydia pneumoniae: making an accurate diagnosis and deciding when to treat

Atypical Pneumonia has been studied for many years. Most clinically relevant atypical organisms involved in pneumonia in children are Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Although great progress has been reached in new techniques, still there is no good tool, neither standardized nor accurate for a definitive diagnosis. In other hand, antibiotic therapy is under review due to contradictory evidence to support their use. We present a critical view of actual knowledge and propose an algorithm to proceed in clinical ground.

La neumonía por bacterias atípicas es sujeto de estudio desde hace años. Dentro de las bacterias atípicas más frecuentes y clínicamente relevantes en niños se reconocen Mycoplasma pneumoniae y Chlamydia pneumoniae. A pesar del aumento en el conocimiento de estas infecciones y avance en las técnicas diagnósticas, aun no contamos con una herramienta estandarizada y confiable que permita realizar un adecuado diagnóstico. Por otra parte, la necesidad real de efectuar un tratamiento antibiótico sigue siendo tema de discusión. Se presenta a continuación una revisión crítica del conocimiento actual y una propuesta de su enfrentamiento clínico.

Mycoplasma infection in Malaysian children: laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumoniae) is an important causative agent of childhood infection with variable clinical presentations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy of M. pneumoniae infection in children admitted to paediatric ward. Materials & Methods: A total of 111 children, of which 59 (53.2%) boys and 52 (46.8%) girls, with median age of 2 years (inter quartile range 1-6 years) with suspected M. pneumoniae infection were tested for IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children were classified as seropositive and seronegative. Results: Of the 111 children, 45 (40.5%) had serological evidence of M. pneumoniae infection and the remaining 66 (59.5%) were seronegative. There was significant association (p < 0.001) between age and serology response. Seropositive children were more likely to be older (median age 5.0 [interquartile range 2- 7] years, p < 0.001). Children with M. pneumoniae infection were less likely to have cough (p = 0.023) in which 55 (65.5%) patients having cough were seronegative. There was no significant association between laboratory findings of full blood count and serology. Conclusion: In addition to clinical and laboratory features, other factors like age group and absence of cough might be helpful in predicting M. pneumoniae infection.

Neumonía por Mycoplasma pneumoniae complicada con pancreatitis y hepatitis aguda: a propósito de un caso / Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia complicated with acute pancreatitis and hepatitis: a case study

La infección por Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M pneumoniae) puede producir manifestaciones pulmonares y extrapulmonares a nivel cardiológico, dermatológico, neurológico, hematológico, musculoesquelético y gastrointestinal (vómitos, diarrea, hiporexia, dolor abdominal, hepatomegalia, hepatitis aguda, colecistitis alitiásica, y pancreatitis aguda). Presentamos un caso de infección aguda por M pneumoniae que se manifestó con neumonía, pancreatitis aguda y hepatitis colestásica. Paciente masculino de 15 años, con clínica de neumonía y dolor abdominal con elevación de pruebas hepáticas, amilasa y lipasa, y cambios sugestivos de pancreatitis aguda por ultrasonido abdominal y tomografía de abdomen y pelvis con doble contraste. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente con el tratamiento indicado. Es importante considerar la posibilidad de infección por M. pneumoniae en pacientes con cuadros infecciosos respiratorios y manifestaciones digestivas sobre todo elevación de amilasa y enzimas hepáticas. Se describe el primer caso en nuestro país de pancreatitis y hepatitis asociada con infección por M. pneumoniae y el segundo en la literatura internacional

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M pneumoniae) infection can cause pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations such as: cardiac, dermatological, neurological, hematological, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, acute hepatitis, acalculous cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis). We report the case of a 15 years old male with pneumonia, abdominal pain, elevated liver tests with hyperamylasemia, elevated lipase, and changes suggestive of acute pancreatitis on abdominal ultrasound and double contrast CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. The patient did well with the indicated treatment. It’s important to consider M pneumoniae infection in patients with respiratory disease and digestive manifestations including elevated liver tests and hyperamylasemia. To our knowledge this is the first case reported in our country of M pneumonia associated with pancreatitis and hepatitis and the second one in the literature

Neumonía por Coxiella burnetii: presentación de un caso y revisiónde la literatura / Coxiella burnetii pneumonia: Case report and literature review

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 56 años, previamente asintomática, quien inicia de forma rápidamente progresiva un cuadro clínico de mialgias, artralgias, rash y fiebre alta no cuantificada, que se asocia posteriormente a disnea, tos y dolor abdominal, por lo cual es remitida a un centro hospitalario de alta complejidad de la ciudad de Cali (Colombia). Dado que la paciente, con impresión diagnóstica de neumonía por influenza AH1N1 sobre-infectada, no mejoraba con el tratamiento antibiótico y antiviral propuesto, se sospechó la posibilidad de una neumonía por gérmenes atípicos o la concomitancia de alguna enfermedad del tejido conectivo, por lo cual se solicitaron estudios clínicos adicionales. Se detectaron títulos de anticuerpos del tipo IgM mediante técnica de inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) para Coxiella burnetii con lo que se cambió el tratamiento antibiótico a levofloxacina y doxiciclina, a lo cual la paciente respondió de forma óptima y finalmente pudo ser dada de alta.

We report the case of a female patient of 56 years, previously asymptomatic, who begins rapidly progressive clinical symptoms of myalgia, arthralgia, rash and high fever unquantified, associated later with dyspnea, cough and abdominal pain, so it is sent to a hospital of high complexity of Cali (Colombia). Because the patient with pneumonia diagnostic impression of influenza AH1N1 on-infected, did not improve with antibiotic and antiviral treatment proposed was suspected the possibility of atypical pneumonia germs or concomitant connective tissue disease, so further clinical studies were requested. We detected titers of IgM antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) for Coxiella burnetii thus antibiotic treatment was changed to levofloxacin and doxycycline, to which the patient responded optimally and could eventually be released.

Comparison of Sputum and Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens for Molecular Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of atypical pathogens is important for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this study, we compared sputum and nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) for use in detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydophila pneumoniae (CP), and Legionella pneumophila (LP), using Seeplex PneumoBacter ACE Detection Assay (PneumoBacter; Seegene). METHODS: Sputum and NPS specimens were collected from patients in 15 hospitals. DNA was extracted from sputum using QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen) and from NPS using easyMAG (bioMerieux). Both types of specimens were evaluated by multiplex PCR using PneumoBacter. To determine the diagnostic performance of this assay, sputum samples were also tested using BD ProbeTec ET Atypical Pneumonia Assay (APA; Becton Dickinson). RESULTS: Among 217 sputum and NPS, 20 (9.2%), 2 (0.9%), and 0 sputum were positive for MP, LP, and CP, respectively, whereas 8 (3.7%) NPS were positive for MP. The sputum APA test yielded 186, 206, and 204 interpretable results for MP, LP, and CP, respectively. Of these, 21 (11.3%) were positive for MP, 2 (1.0%) were positive for LP, and 0 samples were positive for CP. Compared to APA, the sensitivity and specificity of the sputum assay for MP were 95.2% and 100.0%, respectively, whereas for the NPS assay, these were 38.1% and 93.9%. Sputum testing was more sensitive than NPS testing (P=0.002). For LP and CP diagnosis, PneumoBacter and APA tests agreed 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Specimen type is crucial and sputum is preferred over NPS for simultaneous detection of MP, LP, and CP using multiplex PCR in CAP.

A fulminant case of acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by mycoplasmas is very rare. This report describes a severe case of atypical pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae in a formerly healthy young woman who developed high grade fever and cough leading to severe disseminated lung disease and finally to fatal ARDS. This case came into picture when killer atypical pneumonia, namely, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), spread very fast from South-Asian countries to the rest of the world. Moreover, the clinical presentation and radiologic features of SARS bear resemblance to the syndrome of atypical pneumonia, which lead us to investigate this case into detail. We suggest that M. pneumoniae infections should be included in the differential diagnosis of pathogens causing ARDS, establishing an early diagnosis may have important therapeutic implications.

A Case of Scrub Typhus in Summer Presenting as Atypical Pneumonia / 감염과화학요법

Scrub typhus usually occurs in October and November in Korea. Its typical clinical manifestations are fever, rash, eschar, and lymphadenopathies. Pneumonitis may occur, however, it occurs as a complication at the late phase of scrub typhus, when it is inappropriately treated. We encountered a case of pneumonitis that was an initial manifestation of scrub typhus which was confirmed by rickettsial culture, positive seroconversion, and polymerase chain reaction. The case was a 16-year-old high school adolescent who presented with fever and headache that lasted for 1 day in July, 2007. He denied of any outdoor activities. A chest radiograph showed patchy infiltrates in the left lower lung, which improved with the administration of cefotaxime and azithromycin for empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Blood taken on the second febrile day showed a positive culture for Orientia tsutsugamushi and was also positive for O. tsutsugamushi DNA polymerase chain reaction. Immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test for O. tsutsugamushi showed that the initial antibody was negative, but convalescent serum tested positive with an antibody titer of 1:80. IFA for Coxiella burnetii showed false positive results; the initial IgM and IgG titers were 1:128 and 1:256, respectively, and the IgM and IgG titers in convalescent serum were 1:128 and 1:128, respectively.

A Case of Scrub Typhus in Summer Presenting as Atypical Pneumonia / 감염과화학요법

Scrub typhus usually occurs in October and November in Korea. Its typical clinical manifestations are fever, rash, eschar, and lymphadenopathies. Pneumonitis may occur, however, it occurs as a complication at the late phase of scrub typhus, when it is inappropriately treated. We encountered a case of pneumonitis that was an initial manifestation of scrub typhus which was confirmed by rickettsial culture, positive seroconversion, and polymerase chain reaction. The case was a 16-year-old high school adolescent who presented with fever and headache that lasted for 1 day in July, 2007. He denied of any outdoor activities. A chest radiograph showed patchy infiltrates in the left lower lung, which improved with the administration of cefotaxime and azithromycin for empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Blood taken on the second febrile day showed a positive culture for Orientia tsutsugamushi and was also positive for O. tsutsugamushi DNA polymerase chain reaction. Immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test for O. tsutsugamushi showed that the initial antibody was negative, but convalescent serum tested positive with an antibody titer of 1:80. IFA for Coxiella burnetii showed false positive results; the initial IgM and IgG titers were 1:128 and 1:256, respectively, and the IgM and IgG titers in convalescent serum were 1:128 and 1:128, respectively.

Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Korea

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) still remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. Improving the care of patients with CAP has been the focus of many different organizations, and several guidelines have been published in the United States and Europe. When the patients are treated according to the guidelines, there are beneficial effects in outcome. Empirical treatment should depend on the regional epidemiological information on the pathogen distribution and their antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the guidelines from other countries could not be directly applied to the treatment of CAP in Korea. Inappropriate empirical treatment has been related with treatment failure. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the recent epidemiological data on antimicrobial resistance of the most common pathogens in order to choose the active agents against pneumococcus and atypical pathogens for the treatment of CAP.

Rapid Diagnosis of Legionella pneumophial Pneumonia Used Polymerase Chain Reaction / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To prove the diagnosis value for Legionnaires pneumophial pneumonia using polymerase chain reaction. METHODS L. pneumophial-DNA (LPN-DNA) from 47 spuum and 6 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples collected from 53 patients with atypical pneumonia was detected by PCR. RESULTS The positive rate of LPN-DNA in 53 patients with atypical pneumonia was 9.4%, while the positive rate of sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples was 6.4%and 33.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS LPN-DNA detected by PCR for early diagnosis of atypical pneumonia has favorable clinical application.