Perianesthetic refractory anaphylactic shock with cefuroxime in a patient with history of penicillin allergy on multiple antihypertensive medications / Choque anafilático refratário perianestésico com cefuroxima em paciente com história de alergia à penicilina recebendo vários medicamentos anti-hipertensivos

Abstract We report a case of perianesthetic refractory anaphylactic shock with cefuroxime in a patient with history of penicillin allergy on regular therapy with atenolol, losartan, prazosin and nicardipine. Severe anaphylactic shock was only transiently responsive to 10 mL of (1:10,000) epinephrine and needed norepinephrine and dopamine infusion. Supportive therapy with vasopressors and inotropes along with mechanical ventilation for the next 24 hours resulted in complete recovery. She was successfully operated upon 2 weeks later with the same anesthetic drugs but intravenous ciprofloxacin as the alternative antibiotic for perioperative prophylaxis.

Resumo Relatamos um caso de choque anafilático refratário no período perianestésico com cefuroxima em paciente com história de alergia à penicilina em terapia regular com atenolol, losartan, prazosina e nicardipine. O choque anafilático grave foi apenas transitoriamente responsivo a 10 mL de epinefrina (1:10000) e precisou de infusão de norepinefrina e dopamina. A terapia de apoio com vasopressores e inotrópicos, juntamente com ventilação mecânica por 24 horas, resultou em recuperação completa. A paciente foi operada com sucesso duas semanas mais tarde, com os mesmos agentes anestésicos, mas com ciprofloxacina intravenosa como antibiótico opcional para a profilaxia perioperatória.

Antimicrobial-induced endotoxaemia in patients with sepsis in the field of acute pyelonephritis.

BACKGROUND: In vitro results have shown that antimicrobial agents may induce the Gram-negative bacteria to release endotoxins (LPS), which in turn, could trigger the secretion of cytokines from monocytes. AIMS: To compare the effect of cefuroxime, netilmicin or ciprofloxacin on serum levels of LPS and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). METHODS: Seventy-four patients with acute pyelonephritis caused by Gram-negative bacteria and signs of sepsis were randomly assigned to receive one of three intravenous regimens of cefuroxime, netilmicin or ciprofloxacin. Blood samples were collected before therapy and at specified time intervals for 96 hours after the initiation of treatment for the determination of serum levels of LPS and of TNFalpha. RESULTS: Patients treated with cefuroxime presented an early peak of LPS and of TNFalpha in serum two hours after the initiation of treatment compared to the other study groups. After that time interval, concentrations of LPS and TNFalpha were similar in all the study groups. Fever accompanied by endotoxaemia was still detected for 48 hours after the start of therapy in 36, 37.5 and 36% of patients treated with cefuroxime, netilmicin and ciprofloxacin respectively. The corresponding figures for these agents at 72 hours were 28, 12.5 and 24%, respective and 12, 4.2 and 4% at 96 hours (P value not significant). CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of an early peak in the serum levels of LPS and TNFalpha in patients treated with cefuroxime, no significant difference could be detected amongst the study groups as far as their effect on serum levels of LPS and TNFalpha were concerned. This suggests that these three antimicrobial agents may be administered safely at the early stages of sepsis.

Colitis pseudomembranosa: presentación de cuatro casos / Pseudomembranous colitis: report four cases

Antecedentes: Clostridium difficile es responsable de 25-30 por ciento de la diarreas asociadas a antibióticos. La manifestación más dramática de la infección por este germen es la colitis pseudomembranosa. Métodos: Se reportaron 4 casos de colitis pseudomembranosa y se hace una revisión bibliográfica. Resultados: De los cuatro casos con colitis pseudomembranosa, tres ocurrieron en pacientes mayores de 80 años con enfermedades subyacentes. Todos recibieron cefalosporinas (cefuroxima, ceftriaxona, cefalexina) y uno de ellos, además, clindamicina, previamente al cuadro de colitis. El cuadro clínico se caracterizó por numerosas evacuaciones líquidas con moco (sangre en un paciente), dolor abdominal, náusea, vómito y fiebre. Todos tuvieron leucocitosis con neutrofilia y bandemia. Un paciente cursó con anasarca e hipoalbuminemia, sugestivos de enteropatía perdedora de proteínas. La sigmoidoscopia mostró placas amarillentas, evaludas, cubriendo la mucosa de recto, sigmoides y colon descendente. La respuesta al tratamiento con metronidazol o vancomicina orales fue buena. El metronidazol intravenoso fracasó en un paciente y fue útil en otro. Dos de los cuatro pacientes tuvieron recaídas. La respuesta al tratamiento de las recaídas con metronidazol oral fue buena. Un paciente tuvo dos recaídas respondiendo, finalmente, a metronidazol oral y levaduras de Saccharomyces boulardii. Conclusiones: La colitis pseudomembranosa tiene elevada morbilidad en pacientes debilitados, de edad avanzada. Las recaídas son frecuentes en estos pacientes. Si otros estudios lo corroboran, las levaduras de S. boulardii podrían ser de utilidad en la prevención de esta colitis y en el manejo de sus recaídas