Clinical and etiological characteristics of infectious vulvovaginitis in children in Zhejiang province from 2009 to 2019 / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, common pathogens in children with vulvovaginitis. Methods: This was a retrospective cases study. A total of 3 268 children with vulvovaginitis were enrolled, who visited the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2009 to December 2019. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the age of <7, 7-<10 and 10-18 years. Patients were also divided in to 4 groups according to the season of first visit. The pathogen distribution characteristics of infective vulvovaginitis were compared between the groups. Their clinical data were collected and then analyzed by χ2 test. Results: The were 3 268 girls aged (6.2±2.5) years. There were 1 728 cases (52.9%) aged <7 years, 875 cases (26.8%) aged 7-<10 years, and 665 cases (20.3%) aged 10-18 years. Of these cases, 2 253 cases (68.9%) were bacterial vulvovaginitis, 715 cases (21.9%) were fungal vulvovaginitis and 300 cases (9.2%) were vulvovaginitis infected with other pathogens. Bacterial culture of vaginal secretions was performed in 2 287 cases, and 2 287 strains (70.0%) of pathogens were detected, of which the top 5 pathogens were Streptococcus pyogenes (745 strains, 32.6%), Haemophilus influenzae (717 strains, 31.4%), Escherichia coli (292 strains, 12.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (222 strains, 9.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (67 strains, 2.9%). Regarding different age groups, H.influenzae was the most common in children under 7 years of age (40.3%, 509/1 263), S.pyogenes (41.9%, 356/849) was predominantly in children aged 7 to 10 years, and E.coli was predominant in children aged 10 to 18 years (26.3%, 46/175). Susceptibility results showed that S.pyogenes was susceptible to penicillin G (610/610, 100.0%), ceftriaxone (525/525, 100.0%), and vancomycin (610/610, 100.0%); the resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 91.9% (501/545)and 90.7% (495/546), respectively. For H.influenzae, 32.5% (161/496) produced β-elactamase, and all strains were sensitive to meropenem (489/489, 100.0%) and levofloxacin (388/388, 100.0%), while 40.5% (202/499) were resistant to ampicillin. Among E.coli, all strains were sensitive to imipenem(100%, 175/175). The resistance rates of E.coli to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone were 29.1% (43/148) and 35.1% (59/168), respectively. A total of 48 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated with a proportion of 28.3% (45/159) in 3 268 patients. The results of drug susceptibility test showed that all MRSA strains were sensitive to linezolid 100.0% (40/40), vancomycin (45/45, 100.0%), and tigecycline (36/36, 100.0%); the resistance rates of MRSA to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100% (45/45), 95.6% (43/45) and 88.9% (40/45), respectively. All methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains were sensitive to oxacillin (114/114, 100.0%), linezolid (94/94, 100.0%), vancomycin (114/114, 100.0%), and tigecycline (84/84, 100.0%); it's resistance rates to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were 78.1% (89/114), 59.7% (68/114) and 46.5% (53/114), respectively. The drug resistance rate of MSSA to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were lower than those of MRSA (χ²=11.71,19.74,23.95, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions: The age of consultation for pediatric infectious vulvovaginitis is mainly around 6 years. The most common pathogens are S.pyogenes, H.influenzae and Escherichia coli. Third generation cephalosporins can be used as the first choice of empirical anti-infection drugs. However, the results of drug susceptibility should be considered for targeted treatment.

Resistência de Neisseria gonorrhoeae a antimicrobianos na prática clínica: como está o Brasil? / Antimicrobials resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical practice: where Brazil stands?

Estima-se que um milhão de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) sejam adquiridas por dia no mundo, segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde. Elas podem ser causadas por diversos micro-organismos pelo contato sexual. Embora tratáveis, as infecções, como a clamidiana, sífilis, tricomoníase e gonorreia, são responsáveis por 350 milhões de novos casos de IST anualmente no mundo. A gonorreia é a segunda IST bacteriana mais prevalente no planeta e tem chamado atenção nos últimos anos em decorrência da baixa eficácia em seu tratamento. O agente etiológico é a Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Na maioria das mulheres, a infecção por esse micro-organismo é assintomática, dificultando ainda mais seu diagnóstico e tratamento e, portanto, aumentando o risco de desenvolvimento de suas complicações associadas. Mesmo quando diagnosticada, essa infecção está sujeita a um alto índice de insucesso terapêutico que se deve, principalmente, à grande plasticidade genética da N. gonorrhoeae para aquisição de genes cromossômicos ou plasmidiais de resistência. O aumento da resistência desse micro-organismo a antimicrobianos comumente utilizados no tratamento, como penicilina, tetraciclina e ciprofloxacina, tem sido relatado em diversos países. No Brasil, poucos estudos estão disponíveis, mas em alguns estados já foram relatadas linhagens resistentes à ciprofloxacina. Dessa forma, deve-se ressaltar a importância de novos estudos que visem descrever o perfil da resistência da N. gonorrhoeae a antimicrobianos. Tais achados certamente nortearão a implementação de sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica no país visto que, até o momento, as infecções por N. gonorrhoeae sequer estão incluídas na lista nacional de doenças e agravos de notificação compulsória.(AU)

According to the World Health Organization, approximately one million sexually transmitted infections (STI) are acquired daily in the world. These infections can be caused by several microorganisms via contact. The treatable STI, such as chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea, account for 350 million new cases of STI each year worldwide. Gonorrhoea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is the second most common bacterial STI in the world. It has drawn more attention in the last years due to the low efficacy in its treatment. Most women with this infection are asymptomatic, which makes its diagnosis and treatment troublesome increasing the risk for its associated complications. Even when diagnosed, this infection is subject to a high rate of therapeutic failure mainly due to the great genetic plasticity of N. gonorrhoeae for the acquisition of chromosomal or resistance plasmid enes. Increased resistance of this microorganism to antimicrobials commonly used in treatment such as penicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin has been reported in several countries. In Brazil, few studies are available, but in some states strains resistant to ciprofloxacin were alreadyreported. The refore, it is important to highlight the importance of new studies aimed at describing the resistance profile of N. gonorrhoeae to antimicrobials in Brazil context. These findings will certainly guide the implementation of epidemiological surveillance systems in the country, since until now N. gonorrhoeae infections do not figure into the national list of compulsorily notifiable diseases.(AU)

TeleCondutas: acne / TeleGuides: acne

Acne é a dermatose mais comum, acometendo cerca de 80% dos adolescentes e adultos jovens. É caracterizada por lesões não-inflamatórias (comedões abertos e/ou fechados) e por lesões inflamatórias (pápulas, pústulas, cistos ou nódulos) tipicamente localizados na face, pescoço, dorso, tórax e braços. A etiologia da acne vulgar resulta da associação dos seguintes fatores: hiperqueratinização e obstrução do infundíulo folicular, devido à descamação anormal do epitélio folicular; aumento da produção de sebo estimulada pelos andrógenos; colonização do folículo pelo Propionibacterium acnes, gerando inflamação. Esta guia apresenta informação que orienta a conduta para casos de acne no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde, incluindo: classificação da acne vulgar, Características da acne vulgar, Erupção acneiforme, Diagnóstico da acne vulgar, Tratamento - Orientações gerais, Tratamento - Medicamentos, Terapia tópica, Antibióticos sistêmicos, Terapia antiandrogênica, Acne na Gestante, Acompanhamento, Encaminhamento para serviço especializado.

Prevalência de resistência constitutiva e induzível à clindamicina em cocos Gram positivos isolados de pacientes hospitalizados em Santa Maria, RS / Prevalence of clindamycin constitutive and inducible resistance in Gram positive cocci isolated from hospitalized patients in Santa Maria, RS

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de resistência constitutiva e induzível à clindamicina em pacientes hospitalizados . Foram analisados 63 isolados de diversos sítios infecciosos de pacientes internados em um hospital privado de Santa Maria - RS, Brasil. Para determinação dos mecanismos de resistência foi utilizado o método de difusão em disco (D-teste). Foi verificado que três cepas de Staphylococcus aureus (4,8%) apresentaram-se positivas no D-teste, ou seja, exibiram resistência induzível à clindamicina (MLSBi), possivelmente pela presença do gene em (A), em microrganismos dessa espécie. Ademais, foi observado a presença de resistência constitutiva (MLSBc)em 22 amostras, caracterizando, possivelmente, a presença do gene em (B), em Streptococcus sp e em (C), em Staphylococcus sp. A prevalência do mecanismo de resistência, mediado por bomba de efluxo, em 19 amostras foi caracterizada, provavelmente pela presença do gene mrsA. A introdução de mudanças, na rotina do laboratório, através da inclusão do D-teste deve ser encorajada. A pesquisa desses mecanismos de resistência são de elevada importância na escolha e eficácia terapêutica, pois representam, na prática, uma maior segurança para os pacientes e evitam a troca desnecessária de medicação e, consequentemente, a falha terapêutica.

Bacillary angiomatosis in HIV-positive patient from Northeastern Brazil: a case report / Angiomatose bacilar em paciente HIV positivo no nordeste brasileiro: relato de caso

It is a report of disseminated bacillary angiomatosis (BA) in a 23-year-old female patient, who is HIV-positive and with fever, weight loss, hepatomegaly, ascites, and papular-nodular skin lesions. The clinical and diagnostic aspects involved in the case were discussed. Bacillary angiomatosis must always be considered in the diagnosis of febrile cutaneous manifestations in AIDS.

Relato de angiomatose bacilar (AB) disseminada em paciente do sexo feminino de 23 anos, HIV positiva, com febre, emagrecimento, hepatomegalia, ascite e lesões de pele pápulo-nodulares. Foram discutidos os aspectos clínicos e diagnósticos envolvidos no caso. Angiomatose bacilar deve sempre ser considerada no diagnóstico de doença febril com manifestações cutâneas na AIDS.

Susceptibilidad antimicrobiana, serotipos capsulares y relación clonal entre cepas invasoras de Streptococcus pneumoniae aisladas de pacientes adultos de la Región del Bío-Bío, Chile: Período 2005-2006 / Antimicrobial susceptibility, capsular serotypes and clonal relationship of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in adult population of the Bio-Bio Region, Chile: 2005-2006

Las infecciones ocasionadas por Streptococcus pneumoniae constituyen un problema de salud pública. En nuestro país existe escasa información sobre aislados de procesos bacteriémicos en población adulta. Se estudió la susceptibilidad, serotipos y relación clonal de 56 aislados de S. pneumoniae desde hemocultivos, entre enero 2005 y agosto 2006, de pacientes adultos de la intercomuna Concepción-Talcahuano, Región del Bío-Bío, Chile. Se encontró resistencia a tetraciclina (21,4 por ciento), cotrimoxazol (18 por ciento), eritromicina (18 por ciento), cloranfenicol (7 por ciento) y a penicilina en un solo aislado procedente de un foco meníngeo (2 por ciento). La totalidad mostró susceptibilidad a cefotaxima, levofloxacina, moxifloxacina y vancomicina. Se demostró una amplia variedad de serotipos capsulares, con predominio de los serotipos 1, 5, 23F, 7F y 3. El análisis de macrorestricción y electroforesis en campo pulsado reveló 31 patrones electroforéticos con 12 grupos clona-les, descartando un clon predominante. De acuerdo a los resultados, al menos 80 por ciento de los serotipos de aislados de S. pneumoniae de procesos bacteriémicos están incluidos en la vacuna comercial disponible.

Streptococcus pneumoniae infections constitute a public health problem. In our country there is scarce information regarding isolates from bacteraemic episodes in adult population. The antibiotic susceptibility, sero-types and clonal relationship of 56 isolates of S. pneumoniae from adult patients with bacteraemic infections in Concepcion-Talcahuano, Bio-Bio Region, Chile, were studied. Resistance to tetracycline (21.4 percent), trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (18 percent), erythromycin (18 percent), chloramphenicol (7 percent) and 1 penicillin resistant isolate from a meningeal focus (2 percent) was found. Also, all the isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and vancomycin. A wide variety of capsular serotypes was demonstrated, with predominance of serotypes 1, 5, 23F, 7F and 3. The macrorestriction analysis by pulse field electrophoresis revealed 31 electrophoretic patterns and 12 clonal groups, discarding a predominant clone. According to the results, at least, 80 percent of the S. pneumoniae serotypes isolated from bacteraemic adult patients are included in the available commercial vaccine.

Gastroparesia: temas de atualização e revisão em clínica médica / Gastroparesis: themes of updating and revision in medical clinic

Gastroparesia é uma dificuldade no esvaziamento gástrico sem que haja qualquer obstrução mecânica ao livre trânsito gastroduodenal. Trata-se de condição estritamente relacionada à função do estômago, podendo decorrer de distúrbios neural (p. ex.: diabetes mellitus), eletrolítico (p. ex.: hipopotassemia) ou hormonal (p. ex.: hipotireoidismo), dentre outros. Náuseas, vômitos, plenitude pós-prandial e saciedade precoce estão presentes. Não existe exame laboratorial capaz de identificar a gastroparesia, no entanto, eles podem indicar a etiologia da mesma. A radiografia simples de abdome pode demonstrar distensão gástrica; a seriografia gastroduodenal, bem como a endoscopia digestiva, são mais úteis na avaliação de obstrução mecânica. Na atualidade, o padrão ouro para o diagnóstico da gastroparesia é cintilografia gástrica.

Gastroparesis is a difficulty in gastric emptying without any mechanical obstruction gastroduodenal. Is is strictly related to the condition of the stomach, likely to arise of neural disorder (diabetes mellitus), electrolytic (hipopotassemy), or hormone (hypothyroidism), among others. Nausea, vomiting, early postprandial and early satiety are present. There is no laboratory examination identifies the gastroparesis, however, they can indicate the etiology. The simple radiography may demonstrate abdominal distension, gastroduodenal seriography, as well digestive endoscopy, are most useful in evaluating mechanical obstruction. Today the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastroparesis is gastric scintigraphy.

Estudo descritivo sobre a antibioticoprofilaxia na rupturaprematura pré-termo de membranas / Perinatal results of antibioticprophyxalis with erythromycin in preterm premature rupture of the membranes

Objetivo: avaliar os resultados perinatais do uso profilático de estearato de eritromicina nas pacientesinternadas na unidade de gestação alto risco da Maternidade Carmela Dutra (MCD), Florianópolis–SC, com diagnóstico de ruptura prematura pré-termo de membranas (RPM). Métodos: estudo descritivo com análise de todas as pacientes internadas com o diagnóstico de RPM e com idade gestacional entre 20 semanas e 33 semanas e cinco dias. Foram excluídas da pesquisa gestantes com históriade hipersensibilidade à eritromicina, com sinais clínicos e/ou laboratoriais de corioamnionite, que estavam emtrabalho de parto ou que faziam uso de antibióticos no momento da internação. A amostra obtida entre 1º de abril de 2007 e 15 de maio de 2008 foi de 22 pacientes. Resultados e conclusões: o tempo médio de latência foi de 12 dias. Não houve casos confirmados decorioamnionite. Uma (4,54%) gestante desenvolveu quadro de endometrite puerperal. Não houve óbitos maternos. Dois (9,09%) recém-nascidos desenvolveram sepse. A taxa de óbito neonatal foi de 13,63%. Apesarda nossa pequena casuística, o uso de eritromicina nas pacientes com RPM parece estar associado a umadiminuição na taxa de corioamnionite.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to evaluate perinatal results of the prophylactic use of erythromycin to patients admitted in the high-riskgestation unit at Carmela Dutra Maternity Hospital, Florianópolis – SC with preterm premature rupture ofmembranes (PROM). Methods: We performed a descriptive analysis ofall patients with PROM and gestational age between 20 weeks and 33 weeks plus 5 days. Patients with erythromycin allergy, with chorioamnionitis signs orwomen who already being prescribed antibiotics were excluded from this study. Enrolment was from April 1,2007, until May 15, 2008. Twenty-two women had been followed up in this study. Results and Conclusions: The medium latency period was 12 days. There was not confirmed chorioamnionitis case. The occurrence of endometritis was 4,54%. There was not maternal death. The occurrence of neonatal sepsis was 9,09% and theoccurrence of neonatal deaths was 13,63%. Despite our small casuistry, the prophylactic use of erythromycinseems to reduce the chorioamnionitis rate.

Adesão à antibioticoterapia profilática em crianças com anemia falciforme: um estudo prospectivo / Compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis in children with sickle cell anemia: a prospective study

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a adesão a antibiótico profilático em crianças com anemia falciforme. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de 108 crianças (idade entre 3 meses e 4,5 anos, 45 por cento masculino) seguidas por 15 meses no Hemocentro de Belo Horizonte. Avaliou-se a adesão por meio de três entrevistas com cuidadores, análise de prontuário médico e atividade antibacteriana em uma amostra de urina em 81 crianças. Os antibióticos foram dispensados gratuitamente. RESULTADOS: Penicilina foi usada em 106 casos (maioria via oral), e eritromicina, dois casos. O antibiótico foi detectado na urina de 56 por cento das crianças; 48 por cento dos cuidadores afirmaram nas entrevistas que nenhuma dose deixou de ser administrada; em 89 por cento dos prontuários médicos, não se registrou falha de adesão. Considerando-se aderente a criança que não apresentasse falhas em nenhum ou em apenas um dos métodos, a taxa de adesão foi de 67 por cento. O grau de concordância entre os três métodos para medir a adesão foi baixo. Não se demonstrou qualquer associação entre a taxa de adesão e o gênero, estado nutricional, renda familiar per capita, nível educacional dos cuidadores ou número de membros da família. CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de adesão à antibioticoterapia profilática foi baixa quando avaliada por meio de questionários e testes urinários, e superestimada quando avaliada pela consulta ao prontuário médico. A adesão deve ser preferencialmente avaliada por vários métodos, pois sua mensuração é complexa. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem a necessidade de programas educacionais abrangentes para os profissionais de saúde, para as famílias e crianças portadoras de anemia falciforme.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis among children with sickle cell anemia. METHODS: A total of 108 children (aged 3 months to 4½ years, 45 percent male) were recruited from the Hematology Center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and followed up for 15 months. Data on compliance were obtained from three interviews with the primary caregivers, from the children's medical records and from assay of antibacterial activity in urine samples of 81 children. Antibiotics were available free of charge. RESULTS: Penicillin was used in 106 cases (majority by oral route); erythromycin in 2 cases. Urine samples tested positive for the antibiotic in 56 percent of the cases; 48 percent of the caregivers assured during interviews that all doses had been administered to children; 89 percent of medical files recorded no compliance failures. Considering a child compliant if none or just one of these methods detected missing doses, the rate of compliance was 67 percent. The agreement between methods for assigning a child as compliant or not was low. No significant association of compliance rate with gender, nutritional status, per capita income of the family, caregivers' schooling, or number of family members was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance rate with prophylactic antibiotic therapy was low when assessed by interviews and urine tests; and overestimated by analysis of medical records. Compliance should preferably be assessed by several methods due to the complex character of its measurement. The results of the present study suggest a need for a comprehensive educational program involving healthcare professionals, families and children with sickle cell anemia.

Chlamydia trachomatis e gestação / Chlamydia trachomatis and pregnancy

A infecção pela Chlamydia trachomatis é uma das mais freqüentes e curáveis doenças bacterianas de transmissão sexual, constatação que traz consigo sérias conseqüências para a saúde reprodutiva da mulher. A prevalência da infecção do trato genital inferior pela C. trachomatis varia, conforme dados obtidos na literatura, entre 2 e 25 porcento, sendo mais prevalente em adultos jovens. A infecção é assintomática em 75 porcento das mulheres e em pelo menos 50 porcento dos homens, portanto, a infecção do trato genital inferior por esse agente permanece indetectável em sua grande maioria. Essa infecção situa-se entre as causas mais comuns de doença inflamatória pélvica (DIP), gravidez ectópica e infertilidade. Há aumento de evidências de que a infecção por C. trachomatis pode acarretar desfechos adversos na gestação, como abortamento, infecção intra-uterina, natimorto, prematuridade e ruptura prematura e membranas. Essa atualização focalizará a epidemiologia, características clínicas, fisiopatologia e seqüelas reprodutivas da infecção por esse agente, abordando de modo geral os métodos de triagem e o tratamento clínico preconizado.

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common and curable bacterial disease sexually transmitted, in many countries, a fact that has serious consequences for the reproductive women's health. The prevalence of the lower tract infection with C. trachomatis varies from 2 percent to 25 percent and is higher among young people. The infection is asymptomatic in 75 percent of women and at least 50 percent of men, thus the lower genital tract infection remains largely undetected. It is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in turn is a major cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. It has been also demonstrated that the infection for C. trachomatis can cause adverse outcomes for the pregnancy, as abortion, intrauterine infection, stillborn, prematurity and premature rupture of membranes. This updating highlights the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and reproductive sequelae of the infection. Current screening and management methods are outlined.(au)

Associação entre trabalho de parto prematuro e vaginose bacteriana: uma revisão da literatura / Association between premature birth and bacterial vaginosis: a review of the literature

Este estudo é uma revisão bibliográfica, cujos objetivos foram discutir a relação entre parto prematuro e vaginose bacteriana e verificar a associação da triagem e do tratamento da vaginose bacteriana durante o pré-natal, na redução das taxas de parto prematuro.

Doença de Whipple: relato de caso / Whipple's disease: a case report

A doença de Whipple é uma doença infecciosa causada pelo bacilo Tropheryma whippelii, caracterizada pela sua apresentação inespecífica, o que dificulta o diagnóstico que, realizado através de biópsia da mucosa do jejuno e ¡leo. Os autores relatam um caso de paciente com doença de Whippie que foi submetido a inúmeros procedimentos até que se chegasse a um diagnóstico definitivo.

A Case of Erythromycin-Resistant Ureaplasma urealyticum Meningitis in a Premature Infant / 대한진단검사의학회지

Ureaplasma urealyticum causes infection or colonization of female genital tracts associated with preterm delivery and infertility and the infection of the bloodstream, respiratory tract, and central nervous system in infants, especially in prematures. We report the first case of U. urealyticum meningitis in a premature infant in Korea. She was born with a birth weight of 1,481 gram at 32+3 weeks' gestation and hospitalized for a respiratory care in the NICU in November 2005. Endotracheal aspirates and urine cultures grew U. urealyticum at or = 10(4) CFU/mL of CSF. The patient had a marked CSF pleocytosis, low glucose and high protein content on the 13th hospital day. CSF cultures for ordinary bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi remained negative. U. urealyticum was resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and pristinamycin, but susceptible to doxycycline. Although she was treated with erythromycin for 30 days, the organism was still isolated four times from the CSF with fluctuation of C-reactive protein (CRP). After the addition of chloramphenicol, CSF cultures became negative in 3 days. However, CRP rose again with increased BUN at the 99th hospital day, and she died on the 103rd hospital day under the diagnosis of a clinical sepsis of unknown origin. In acute meningitis of prematures already colonized with U. urealyticum, ureaplasmal cultures and susceptibility test are warranted in Korea.

Outcome of maternal syphilis at Rajavithi Hospital on offsprings.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis remains an important sexually transmitted disease and continues to be an important problem in Thailand. Despite the clinical efficiency of penicillin in the treatment of pregnant patients with syphilis, infants with congenital syphilis are still encountered. Congenital syphilis poses significant challenges for the clinician because infants may be asymptomatic at birth or present with a highly variable clinical picture. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of neonates born to syphilitic mothers, the efficacy of antepartum treatment in the prevention of congenital syphilis and treatment for congenital syphilis after delivery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The surveillance conducted from September 1st, 2002 to December 31st, 2003, involved 63 mothers who were diagnosed with syphilis and their offsprings at Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Sixty-four infants had complete physical examination, growth, development and laboratory evaluation at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health at the time of delivery and at the ages of 1, 2, 4 and 6 months. RESULTS: There were 63 mothers and 64 infants recruited in the present study. Fifty-three mothers had prenatal care (84.13%). The VDRL was positive in the first prenatal care visit in 42 mothers (66.67%) and 11 mothers (17.46%) had seroconversion later on. Maternal treatment for syphilis included adequate penicillin 23 cases (36.51%), inadequate penicillin 5 cases (7.94%), erythromycin 9 cases (14.29%) and 26 mothers (41.27%) received no treatment at all. The mean maternal age, mean gestation age at treatment for syphilis and at delivery were 30.31 +/- 5.60 years, 32.75 +/- 6. 73 weeks and 38.60 +/- 1.57 weeks respectively. Failure rate in the adequate penicillin group was 8.7%. The mean birth weight of the 64 infants was 3034 +/- 495 grams, no syphilitic stillbirth occurred. Nine infants (14.06%) were identified with presumptive congenital syphilis. The manifestation include hepatomegaly (55.56%), desquamation of palms and soles (44.44%), radiological changes (33.33%) and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (25%). The fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption immunoglobulin M (FTA-ABS IgM) tests of the infants were positive in 2 out of 9 cases (22.22%). The range of maternal and neonatal VDRL titer were between weakly reactive to 1.32 and nonreactive to 1:32 respectively. Fifty infants (78.13%) including 9 presumptive cases were followed-up, all had normal growth. Thirty-four infants (68%) who had re-evaluation for VDRL titers, were seronegative. CONCLUSION: Penicillin is the effective treatment of pregnant patients with syphilis and infants with congenital syphilis. The high risk of congenital syphilis correlates with untreated mothers and inadequate maternal syphilis treatment.

Erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes in Argentina

Erythromycin (ERY) resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes has recently emerged as a problem of growing concern all through the world. We are presenting the comparison of results of the continuous surveillance of erythromycin resistance in S. pyogenes performed since 1989 in the Hospital de Pediatría J.P.Garrahan of Buenos Aires City, with independently observed rates in other five centers of Buenos Aires and seven centers of six other Argentinian cities, obtained between 1999 and 2001. A significant increase of erythromycin resistance was observed among S. pyogenes isolated in the Hospital Garrahan (6.6% in 1998-1999 to 9.9% in 2000). Similar trends were also detected in other centers of other Argentinian cities when recent data were compared to results of a multicenter study performed in 1995. However, lower rates of resistance were recorded in Mendoza, Cipolletti and Neuquén in comparison with data of 1995, 1998 and 1998 respectively. The reason of such decreasing resistance rates deserves to be investigated. The average of ERY-resistance rates obtained in the surveyed centers was 6.7% (range 0.5-14.1%). Control of antimicrobial use should be performed to warrant the future effectiveness of macrolide antibiotics regarding the positive association between use and resistance. These results also suggest that susceptibility tests for macrolides should be performed whenever S. pyogenes is isolated in Argentina.

La resistencia a la eritromicina en Streptococcus pyogenes ha emergido en los últimos tiempos como un problema creciente en todo el mundo. En este trabajo se presenta la comparación de los resultados de la vigilancia continua de la resistencia a la eritromicina que se viene realizando en el Hospital de Pediatría J.P.Garrahan de Buenos Aires desde 1989, con resultados independientes de otros cinco centros de la ciudad de Buenos Aires y siete de otras seis ciudades argentinas, obtenidos entre 1999 y 2001. Se observó un aumento significativo en el Hospital Garrahan (6.6% en1998-1999 a 9.9% en el año 2000) y una tendencia similar en otros centros de diversas ciudades argentinas si secomparan estos datos con los de un estudio multicéntrico realizado en 1995. No obstante, se registraron menoresporcentajes de resistencia en Mendoza, Neuquén y Cipolletti, en relación a lo hallado en 1995, 1998 y 1998respectivamente. La razón de esta disminución merece ser investigada. El porcentaje promedio de resistencia aeritromicina obtenido en los distintos centros participantes de este estudio fue de 6.7% (rango 0.5-14.1%). Debeefectuarse un control en el uso de estos antibióticos para garantizar la efectividad futura de los macrólidos, teniendo en cuenta la asociación estrecha entre uso y resistencia. Estos resultados sugieren que deberían realizarse pruebas de sensibilidad a los macrólidos para todos los aislamientos de S. pyogenes en la Argentina.